Devil Summoning Church
In the quiet Suffolk village of Akenham, a local legend has it that walking around St Mary's Church thirteen times anticlockwise will summon the Devil himself. This eerie ritual has been passed down through generations, leaving many to wonder if there's any truth behind the myth. While there's no record of anyone successfully conjuring the entity, the story has become an integral part of the church's folklore, adding to its mystique and allure.
The origins of this legend are shrouded in mystery, but it's likely that the ritual was conceived as a warning or deterrent, rather than an actual summoning spell. The church itself dates back to the medieval period, and its history is steeped in tradition and superstition. Although there's no concrete evidence to support the claim, the story has been retold and embellished over the years, cementing its place in local legend.
Medieval church with possible connections to early Christian rituals and superstitions.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Akenham Mysterious Cat Attack
Farm Track, Akenham
In the quiet Suffolk countryside, near the village of Akenham, a bizarre incident took place on a chilly February evening in 2012. A man phoned the police to report a large cat had attacked a deer on a farm track. When officers investigated, they found the deer with marks around its throat area. The unusual nature of this attack has sparked curiosity among locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike. Was it a wild animal or something more unusual?
Ghostly Woman of Norwich Road
Street corner along Norwich Road, Ipswich
On Norwich Road in Ipswich, a child's frantic tale of a ghostly woman sparked a father's curiosity. The father, initially sceptical, walked to the street corner and was met with a shocking sight - a ghostly, scary woman who looked at him before vanishing into thin air. This unsettling encounter has left many questions unanswered, and the identity of the woman remains a mystery.
The Phantom of Callow Hill Lane
Callow Hill Lane, Ampton
Callow Hill Lane in Ampton, Suffolk, is a rural road with a rather intriguing ghost story attached to it. Back in the 1940s, a young boy claimed to have walked alongside a man and his dog, only for them to vanish into thin air as they reached this very lane. The boy's encounter has left many wondering about the circumstances surrounding this bizarre event. Was it a case of mistaken identity or something more inexplicable?
The Hanged Monk of Westerfield
Tree visible from public footpath between Westerfield and Ipswich, Westerfield
Westerfield's rural landscape is home to a rather unusual ghost story centred around a dead tree on a public footpath. This tree, visible to anyone walking between Westerfield and Ipswich, has a branch that resembles a monk. The story goes that young people would scare each other with tales of a monk being hanged from this very tree back in the 1980s. The image of the tree was said to be so convincing that it sparked the imagination of locals and passersby alike, leading to its reputation as a haunted spot.
Roman Soldier Sighting
The Dales, Ipswich
The Dales in Ipswich is a spot where you'd least expect to encounter a ghostly apparition, but that's exactly what two children experienced back in the 1980s. While playing on this piece of parkland, they spotted a Roman soldier standing by a tree, watching them. The encounter was brief, lasting only a few seconds, before the soldier vanished into thin air. It's a strange and intriguing incident that has left many wondering about the history of this area.
Bramford Flying Knife Poltergeist
Parker's Cottage, Bramford
In the quaint village of Bramford, Suffolk, a most unusual and intriguing case of paranormal activity took place at Parker's Cottage back in the winter of 1887 or 1888. The entity at work here seemed to have a particular focus on a teenager named Ellen, who was subjected to a variety of unexplained occurrences. Tapping sounds would mysteriously appear around her, and she would be lifted by unseen forces. Objects, including a knife, would be hurled through the air when she was present, earning the haunting its memorable name.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Church

Seckford Hall Hotel
Woodbridge, Suffolk

The Mistley Thorn Hotel
Mistley (near Manningtree), Essex

The Crown
Framlingham, Suffolk

The Angel Hotel Lavenham
Babergh District, Suffolk