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The Headless Man of Sutton Coldfield

New Hall and Wylde Green Road Hotel, Sutton Coldfield, Westmidlands Apparition Georgian

New Hall Hotel on Wylde Green Road in Sutton Coldfield is said to be haunted by the ghost of a headless man. This phantom is believed to be the spirit of a local man who was wrongly accused of being a Jacobite spy and executed in the 18th century. His head was left to rot in an oak tree, where it remained until the 1820s when the tree was cut down and the skull rediscovered. Since then, reports have surfaced of a headless figure wandering the area, searching for its missing body part.

The story behind the Headless Man's haunting dates back to the Jacobite risings of the 18th century. A local man was mistakenly found guilty of spying for the Jacobite cause and sentenced to death. After his execution, his head was displayed in an oak tree as a warning to others. The tree stood for many years until it was eventually cut down in the 1820s, and the skull was found. Some claim that on certain evenings, the headless phantom can be seen walking around the area, while others believe that the head rolls around, searching for its body. The haunting has been reported by multiple witnesses over the years, adding credibility to the legend.

Historical Context

The haunting is linked to the Jacobite risings of the 18th century.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Hotel
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
1820s onwards
Postcode Area
B72

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