Gaveston's Ghostly Apparition
On Blacklow Hill, near the sleepy village of Leek Wootton in Warwickshire, a chilling legend has been etched into local folklore. This is the site where Piers Gaveston, a favourite of King Edward II, met his untimely demise in 1312. As night falls, the air is said to fill with strange sounds, and at the stroke of midnight, the faint tolling of bells echoes through the darkness, signalling the approach of a ghostly apparition - a man on horseback, forever trapped in a macabre procession.
The story of Piers Gaveston's murder on this very spot is well-documented in historical records. What followed, however, has become the stuff of local legend. Strange occurrences have been reported by numerous witnesses over the years, with many claiming to have heard the unearthly sounds and seen the ghostly rider. While the exact date of these events is unclear, they are often attributed to the nineteenth century, a time when such supernatural tales were particularly prevalent. The manifestation of the ghostly man on horseback, preceded by the haunting of bells, has become a widely recognised phenomenon in these parts.
Piers Gaveston was a favourite of King Edward II, murdered in 1312.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Piers Gaveston's Ghostly Procession
Blacklow Hill, Warwick
Blacklow Hill in Warwick is a spot where history and the paranormal collide. This is where Piers Gaveston, a favourite of King Edward II, met his grisly end in 1315. According to historical records, Gaveston was stabbed with a sword and then beheaded. Locals believe that his execution procession still ascends the hill, reenacting the tragic events of that fateful day. The hill offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, but it's the eerie feeling of being watched that draws many to this site.
Guy's Cliffe Phantom Woman
General area, Guy's Cliffe
Deep in the Warwickshire countryside, the area around Guy's Cliffe is said to be haunted by a phantom woman. Locals have shared tales of a ghostly figure wandering a lane in this picturesque neighbourhood. The story goes that this spectral presence has been spotted by numerous people over the years, leaving many to wonder about the identity and motivations of this mysterious apparition.
Sir Guy's Haunted Manor
Guy's Cliffe manor house, Weston
Guy's Cliffe manor house in Weston, Warwickshire, is said to be haunted by the ghost of Sir Guy, a medieval knight who returned from the Crusades a changed man. His experiences on the battlefield had a profound effect on his mental state, leading him to abandon his life as a noble and live as a hermit in his garden. Locals claim that his spirit still roams the grounds, a reminder of the turmoil that Sir Guy faced in his final years.
Lying Landlord Legend
Anchor Inn Inn, Warwick
The Anchor Inn in Warwick has a dark history tied to one of its former landlords. This is a place where the past comes alive with a rather unsavoury tale of grave robbing and deceit. A landlord, who was evidently not as honest as he should have been, got involved in looting the dead bodies from the Battle of Edgehill. His dishonesty was eventually exposed and he was put on trial but he continued to lie through his teeth. It was during this trial that the Devil himself appeared and took the man straight to hell. This legend has been passed down through the years and remains a fascinating, if somewhat macabre, part of the inn's history.
Brookhurst Haunted Demolition
Brookhurst, Leamington
Brookhurst was a house with a reputation for being downright spooky. It's said that workmen tasked with demolishing the place back in 1960 reported that something was trying to stop them. Imagine being in the middle of a demolition job and feeling like you're not alone - it's a pretty unnerving experience. The house had a history of strange occurrences, from unexplained noises like the sound of a large bird flying around to phantom footsteps and doors that seemed to unlock themselves.
Edgehill Battle Reenactment
Edgehill Battle site, Kineton
The Edgehill Battle site near Kineton in Warwickshire is a place where the past seems to collide with the present. On 23 October and 23 December 1642, a bloody battle of the English Civil War took place here and it is said that the fighting repeated itself for several successive nights in 1642, in front of dozens of witnesses. Although the visuals of the battle are not forthcoming in recent times, the sounds of battle have been reported, particularly on 23 October. It's as if the site still resonates with the intense emotions and chaos of that fateful day.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Blacklow Hill and area around Gaveston's Cross

Alveston Manor Hotel
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire

Coombe Abbey
Binley, Warwickshire

Ettington Park Hotel
Alderminster, Warwickshire

Fawsley Hall Hotel
Fawsley, Northamptonshire