Skip to main content

Cigarette Smoking Phantom

RAF Honington, Honington, Suffolk Apparition World War II

RAF Honington in Suffolk has been home to a rather unusual ghostly presence. In June 1983, two RAF police officers on patrol stumbled upon a man dressed in Second World War flying gear, casually smoking a cigarette between two barbed wire fences. When they challenged him, the man simply turned around, walked through one of the fences, and vanished into thin air. This bizarre encounter wasn't an isolated incident; three years prior, a converted H block on the base was said to be haunted by an entity that would breathe heavily and occasionally attack people in their beds.

The history of RAF Honington might hold some clues to this paranormal activity. A local legend tells the story of a USAF bomber that exploded on take-off during the war, with one of the crew members' bodies never found. This incident could be linked to the ghostly apparitions, but for now, it remains a theory. The fact that these sightings occurred in the late 1970s and early 1980s might suggest that the haunting was a lingering presence from the base's wartime past.

Historical Context

RAF Honington was used as a bomber station during World War II.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Military Base
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Restricted Access
Date / Era
1979/80, and June 1983
Postcode Area
IP22

Nearby Haunted Places

Cryptozoology 0 mi

Honington Big Cat Sightings

General area, Honington

In the sleepy Suffolk village of Honington, a series of bizarre sightings took place in April 1985. Residents and visitors alike reported catching glimpses of large, mysterious cats roaming the countryside. The creatures, affectionately dubbed 'Big Cats' by locals, seemed to appear and disappear at random, leaving many to wonder if they were dealing with a single animal or a family of felines. Descriptions of the creatures varied, but one thing was certain - these were no ordinary house pets.

General Area Late 20th Century
Read Full Story
Apparition 2.2 mi

Phantom Lady in Red

Road towards Thetford, Great Livermere

On the winding road towards Thetford, in the quaint village of Great Livermere, a spine-tingling sighting has been reported by numerous drivers. A phantom lady dressed in a flowing red gown is said to suddenly appear in the path of oncoming traffic, only to vanish into thin air just before impact. This eerie phenomenon has left many motorists shaken, wondering if they really did see what they thought they did. The lady in red is not the only ghostly presence haunting these rural roads, as a phantom cyclist is also rumoured to roam the village, although accounts vary about the type of bicycle he rides.

Road Unknown
Read Full Story
Shuck 2.2 mi

Reydon Shuck Dog Haunting

Road near Reydon Hall, Reydon

Reydon Hall Road in Suffolk is home to a rather unusual ghostly encounter. A couple travelling in a trap back in the 1900s came face to face with a shimmering black dog, which they described as a Shuck. The creature darted under their horses' hooves, causing quite a commotion. The driver, understandably startled, tried to lash out at the dog with his whip, but it seemed to pass straight through the creature. This eerie event has become a well-known local legend, with many wondering about the origins of this ghostly canine.

Road Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 2.4 mi

The Face of Great Livermere Rectory

Rectory, Great Livermere

Great Livermere Rectory, a charming residence in Suffolk, is said to be haunted by a ghostly face that has been seen by multiple people over the years. The face, described as pink and hot, was first spotted by author M R James as a child, who looked out of his window to see the eerie visage staring back at him from the outside wall. This unsettling apparition has been seen by others, including a local woman who appeared on a 1995 TV programme about James, claiming that several people had witnessed apparitions in the area outside the rectory.

Private Residence Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 2.7 mi

Saxon Traitor Execution Ghost

Tutt Hill, Barnham

Tutt Hill in Barnham, Suffolk, is said to be haunted by the restless spirit of a Saxon traitor who met his demise in a rather grisly fashion. This man, driven by treachery, helped the Danes capture Thetford, and as a reward for his services, he was executed by his new allies. It's said that his spirit still roams these hills, a constant reminder of the treachery that took place here many years ago.

Hill Anglo-Saxon
Read Full Story
Apparition 3.4 mi

Badwell Ash Lantern Ghost

Lane near Ladybrick barn, Badwell Ash

In the quiet Suffolk countryside, near the village of Badwell Ash, a strange phenomenon was reported in the 1960s. A ghostly lantern was seen slowly moving down a rural lane, near the Ladybrick barn, and towards parked cars. The eerie sight was understandably unsettling for those who witnessed it. However, as with many such sightings, the explanation was eventually found to be more mundane than paranormal. The movement of the lantern was attributed to an optical illusion created by the nearby houses.

Rural Lane 20th Century
Read Full Story

Stay Nearby

Haunted hotels and accommodation near RAF Honington