The Vanishing Old Man
At the Buck Barn crossroads, where the A272 and A24 roads meet in rural Sussex, a bizarre and unexplained incident took place back in October 1947. A motorcyclist was riding along when suddenly an elderly man stood up from a stone and walked right into the cyclist's path. The cyclist felt the impact but, remarkably, managed to keep his balance. It wasn't until several seconds later, when he stopped and turned back, that he realised the old man had vanished into thin air.
Historical records for this area dont reveal much about the specific incident but we do know that the roads here have been in use for centuries. The fact that the cyclist reported feeling an impact but saw no one afterwards suggests that something unusual occurred. The old man's appearance and actions seem to have been quite ordinary yet his disappearance is anything but. This case remains a fascinating example of a reportedly inexplicable event in the Sussex countryside.
The roads in this area have been in use since medieval times
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
The Cowled Monk of Drungewick
Drungewick Lane, Drungewick
Drungewick Lane in Sussex is a rural spot where a rather eerie sighting took place on a summer evening back in the mid 1990s. A man was mowing in the area when he spotted a cowled figure. Curious, he approached the figure, only to find it had vanished into thin air. It seems he wasn't the only one to have encountered this ghostly presence, as he later mentioned the incident to a farmer who revealed that he too had seen the ghost.
Rudgwick Ghost Train
Downs link footpath about halfway between Rudgwick and Slinfold, Rudgwick
Imagine walking along a serene footpath in the Sussex countryside when suddenly you're enveloped in the eerie sounds of a steam train. This is what happened to two women who were strolling along the Downs link footpath, roughly halfway between Rudgwick and Slinfold. They distinctly heard the 'click-clacking' of a train, growing louder, accompanied by the unmistakable whistle of an old-fashioned steam locomotive. The sounds seemed to emanate from nowhere and everywhere at the same time, leaving the women with a lasting sense of unease. The train, of course, was nowhere to be seen.
The Monk of Loxwood
Road running through village, Loxwood
In the sleepy village of Loxwood, Sussex, a rather unsettling apparition has been known to appear on the side of a road running through the village. Locals and travellers alike have reported catching sight of a figure, described as a monk, standing by the roadside or even walking out in front of oncoming cars. The sudden vanishing of this spectral figure has left many witnesses shaken. This eerie phenomenon occurs near Spy Lane, adding to the mystique of this rural location.
The Hitchhiking Teenager of Horsham
Unknown junction along A24 near Horsham, Horsham
Along the A24 near Horsham, a spine-tingling phenomenon has been reported by numerous drivers. They pick up a teenage girl who seems like any ordinary hitchhiker, but soon after their journey starts, she vanishes into thin air. It's as if she was never there in the first place. Some drivers have even reported that she gave them her telephone number, only for them to discover that the number leads to a tragic revelation - the girl died in a car accident near that very spot years ago.
The Spilt Blood Legend
Exact location not known, Kirdford
In the rolling hills of Kirdford, Sussex, there's a spot where locals claim a gruesome incident took place. A poacher, caught in the act, was injured while trying to escape. The location where his blood fell is said to be cursed - no grass grows there to this day. It's a strange phenomenon that has sparked curiosity among locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike. The story has been passed down through generations, leaving many to wonder if there's truth behind the legend.
The Vanishing Couple of Brighton
Old Ship Public House, Brighton
Imagine walking into a room at the Old Ship Public House, thinking you're alone, and then suddenly you're face to face with a couple - only for them to vanish into thin air. That's exactly what happened to a maid who entered one of the west wing rooms, which she thought was empty. She was about to apologise when the man and woman sitting on the bed disappeared before her eyes. It's a strange and unsettling experience that has left many wondering about the history of this Brighton pub.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near A272/A24 junction

