Golden Coach Haunting
The Hatches in Manningford Bruce, Wiltshire, is a spot where locals claim to have seen a rather unusual sight on New Year's Day. A golden coach, pulled by a team of four headless horses, is said to appear here. The image is quite vivid and has been passed down through local folklore. While there's no concrete evidence to support the existence of this ghostly carriage, it's a story that's been told and retold for generations.
Historical records for The Hatches don't reveal much about the origins of this haunting, but it's likely that the legend has its roots in the area's rich history. The fact that the coach appears on New Year's Day suggests a possible connection to old calendar customs or traditions. Witnesses describe the coach as being ornate and golden, with the headless horses adding an air of eeriness to the scene. Although there's no documented evidence of the coach being seen recently, locals still whisper about the legend.
The area has a rich history dating back to the medieval period.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Woman with Pig
, Manningford Abbots
Manningford Abbots Rectory in Wiltshire is home to a rather unusual ghost story. A former occupier of the rectory reported seeing a woman driving a pig over the lawn. She turned briefly to call for her husband, and when she looked again the woman and hog had vanished. This bizarre sighting has left many wondering about the story behind the woman and her porcine companion.
The Cursed Old Woman of Manningford
Hare Street, Manningford
Hare Street in Manningford is home to a rather unsettling legend. Some believe a phantom woman, often referred to as the Old Woman, is doomed to roam these roads for eternity. According to local lore, she made a Faustian bargain, selling her soul to the Devil, and now she's cursed to walk the earth. The circumstances of her supposed transgression are shrouded in mystery, but one thing is certain - her presence is still felt by those who claim to have seen her.
Ghost of King Charles II
Rectory, Manningford Bruce
Deep in the Wiltshire countryside, the historic Rectory at Manningford Bruce is said to be haunted by the ghost of King Charles II. It's a chilly winter's night in 1934 when a woman sleeping in a room where the king was reputed to have stayed awoke to a startling sight - a man resembling Charles II playing cards with several other men. The sudden apparition must have left her shaken, but what could have drawn the king's spirit to this quiet Rectory?
The Cavalier of Woodborough
Road between village and Allington, Woodborough
On a dark night in 1971, a driver was making their way home along the road between Woodborough village and Allington when they encountered a rather unusual sight. A man dressed in Cavalier-style clothing was standing on the road, accompanied by a large black dog. The driver, understandably startled, quickly sped away rather than investigating further. This brief encounter has become a well-known local ghost story, with many wondering who the Cavalier was and what he was doing out on that rural road so late at night.
Wilcot Manor Hanged Monk
Wilcot Manor, Wilcot
Wilcot Manor has a haunting presence that draws visitors in. This historic building was once a monastery, and it's said that a monk who lived there took his own life by hanging himself after being forced to leave the premises. Now, his spirit is believed to roam the halls, a melancholy presence that lingers long after his passing. The circumstances surrounding his death are thought to have led to his restless state, and many have reported encountering his ghostly form.
Wilcot's Forlorn Lady Ghost
General area, Wilcot
In the quiet village of Wilcot, a tragic tale of love, betrayal, and heartbreak has unfolded into a haunting that still sends shivers down the spines of locals. Anne Wroughton, a woman wronged by her husband's jealous accusations, met a tragic end on a cold winter's night. Her husband, convinced of her infidelity, threw her out into the snow, where she succumbed to the freezing temperatures just hours later. The cruel fate that befell her has imprinted a lasting presence on the village, with many claiming to have seen her ghostly figure wandering forlornly through Wilcot's streets.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near The Hatches
