Skip to main content

Monk's Phantom Footsteps

WS Cowell's, Ipswich, Suffolk Apparition Medieval

The Buttermarket Centre in Ipswich, Suffolk, is home to a rather unusual ghostly presence. Employees at the old WS Cowell's building, which once stood on this site, reported strange occurrences that cant be easily explained. A few people claimed to have seen an old monk wandering around, causing quite a stir. Two women, on separate occasions, were so startled by the apparition that they fainted, while a man fled in fright during his night shift. Its not just visual sightings that have been reported; phantom footsteps and the sound of jangling keys have also been heard, particularly by a cleaner working in the shopping centre.

Historical records show that a monastery once occupied this site, and its possible that the ghostly monk is a former resident. According to local legend, the monastery's occupants hid their treasure down a well on the site when it was under attack, but it was never recovered and remains there to this day. The sightings of the monk and the strange noises have been reported over the years, with the most recent incidents occurring in 2016. While we dont know for certain what causes these paranormal events, its clear that the site has a rich and fascinating history that continues to captivate people to this day.

Historical Context

A monastery once occupied this site, which may be connected to the ghostly sightings.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Shopping Centre
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
Late twentieth century (monk), 2016 (footsteps and keys)
Postcode Area
IP1

Nearby Haunted Places

Poltergeist 0 mi

Ipswich Poltergeist Haunting

Former Lakeland Plastics building, Ipswich

The Former Lakeland Plastics building in Ipswich, Suffolk, is home to a rather mischievous poltergeist. This entity, believed to be the ghost of Mother Lakeland, a wise woman or witch who once lived in the area, has been blamed for moving displays around the shop. The building itself has a fascinating history, with a fifteenth century chapel hidden within its walls for many years. This chapel, now open to the public, adds to the site's mystique and paranormal allure.

Former Industrial Building Medieval
Read Full Story
UFO 0 mi

Spinning Lights of Orwell Bridge

Orwell Bridge and the A12 towards Felixstowe, Ipswich

Orwell Bridge stands tall over the River Orwell, a major crossing point in Ipswich, Suffolk. On a quiet night in August 2006, a teenager driving across the bridge reported being followed by two dull, spinning lights for several miles. The lights remained in front of the car, turning at the same time as the driver, creating an unnerving experience. This incident wasn't an isolated one, as several other witnesses came forward to report seeing similar lights around the Nacton Road area at roughly the same time.

Bridge Modern
Read Full Story
Apparition 0 mi

The Staring Woman of Ipswich

Crown Hotel, Ipswich

The Crown Hotel on Felixstowe Road in Ipswich has a reputation for being one of the town's most haunted locations. Guests and staff have reported strange occurrences in room 2, including sightings of a woman's face staring down from the window, even when the room is empty. This unsettling phenomenon has been accompanied by other unexplained events, such as the sound of a piano playing itself and a loud crashing noise, similar to a wardrobe falling over.

Hotel Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 0 mi

Ipswich Haunted Stockroom

Woolworths, Ipswich

The old Woolworths building in Ipswich, Suffolk, is said to be home to a mischievous presence. Staff who worked in the stockroom would often feel like they were not alone, and the door would occasionally slam shut and jam. It's a strange phenomenon that has left many wondering if the store is haunted by a playful spirit. The store may no longer be operating, but the legend of the Stockroom Prankster lives on.

Workplace 20th century
Read Full Story
Apparition 0 mi

Ipswich Teenage Ghost

Pipers' Court, Ipswich

Pipers' Court in Ipswich is home to a rather unusual ghostly presence. This Suffolk location is said to be haunted by the spirit of a teenager who met his untimely demise within the building's walls. What's fascinating about this ghost is that he seems to have a knack for technology, making appearances on CCTV cameras, although he remains elusive to the human eye. It's as if he's stuck between worlds, unable to move on, and is trying to communicate or make his presence known through modern technology.

Residential Building Late 20th Century
Read Full Story
Apparition 0 mi

Ipswich Community Building Footsteps

Community building, Ipswich

The Community Building on Princes Street in Ipswich, Suffolk, has a reputation for being haunted by unexplained footsteps and whistling. Staff working late at night in the building would occasionally hear footsteps and whistling from empty parts of the building. These strange occurrences were reported to have taken place in the 2010s, and although the building is no longer operating, its paranormal history remains. The sounds were apparently loud enough to be noticed by staff, but there are no reports of any visual sightings or more intense paranormal activity.

Community Building Victorian
Read Full Story

Stay Nearby

Haunted hotels and accommodation near WS Cowell's