Skip to main content

The Headless Pond Phantom

Pond, Marden, Wiltshire Apparition Victorian

Deep in the heart of Wiltshire, a chilling legend has long been whispered about in the rural town of Marden. The story revolves around a haunted pond, now a woodland area known as Pook Shipton. Locals claim that a headless figure carrying its own head has been seen emerging from the pond and walking along a nearby footpath. This eerie apparition has sparked curiosity and fear among those who have heard the tales. While the exact date and time of these sightings are unknown, the image of this ghostly figure has remained etched in the local folklore.

Historical records of the area indicate that the woodland was once home to a pond, which has since been filled in. The origins of the headless figure legend remain unclear, but it is believed to date back to the Victorian era. The fact that multiple witnesses have reported similar sightings lends credibility to the haunting. The apparition is said to be a visual manifestation, with no reported audio disturbances. There are no documented cases of malicious activity, suggesting that the spirit is harmless.

Historical Context

The woodland area was once home to a pond, now filled in.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Woodland
Activity Types
Visual
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
Unknown
Postcode Area
SN15

Nearby Haunted Places

Legend 0 mi

Marden's Lost Treasure Legend

Area where Hatfield Barrow once stood, Marden

In the rolling hills of Marden, Wiltshire, a legend has long been whispered about of a valuable treasure hidden somewhere in the area. The story goes that treasure hunters once targeted a now-defunct barrow, known as Hatfield Barrow, in search of a rumoured burial chamber and riches. Their failure to find anything of note didnt deter the tales of a hidden hoard from persisting. To this day, locals and visitors alike ponder the possibility of a long-lost treasure lying hidden, waiting to be discovered.

Historic Site Prehistoric
Read Full Story
Apparition 1.8 mi

Laughing Children of Badbury

Fields around Berriccot Lane, Badbury

In the quiet fields around Berriccot Lane, Badbury, a rather unsettling phenomenon has been reported. A woman, out walking her dog with her two children, was startled to hear the joyful sounds of children laughing. The problem was, there were no youngsters in sight. The eerie laughter seemed to come from all around, sending the dog into a tizzy. The woman must have been quite taken aback, as the sounds suddenly stopped when she walked through a nearby gate. But, as if to defy explanation, the laughter started up again when she walked back through the same gate.

Fields Late 20th Century
Read Full Story
Apparition 1.8 mi

Giggling Girl of Sevenhampton

Road outside Elipses Farm, Sevenhampton

On a dark evening in August 2014, a driver pulled off the A420 outside Elipses Farm in Sevenhampton, Wiltshire, to make a telephone call. As they waited in the darkness, they were startled by the sound of a girl giggling. Turning to look, they spotted a white shape in their driver's wing mirror and the rear-view mirror. But as soon as they turned their head to get a better look, the shape vanished into thin air. The driver was left shaken by the unexplained encounter.

Road Unknown
Read Full Story
Apparition 1.8 mi

Headless Horses of Patty's Bottom

Location known as Patty's Bottom, Woodmanton

Patty's Bottom, a rural spot in Wiltshire, is said to be haunted by the ghostly apparitions of headless horses. This eerie phenomenon is linked to a rumoured ancient battleground between Britons and Romans. The valley, now a peaceful and serene location, is said to have been filled with the sounds of battle and bloodshed in the past. Those who have visited the site have reported experiencing strange and unexplained occurrences, including sightings of headless horses and hearing the sounds of battle.

Field Roman
Read Full Story
Shuck 2.3 mi

Urchfont Black Dog Haunting

Unspecified footpath that crosses fields and allotment, Urchfont

Deep in the Wiltshire countryside, a sense of foreboding settles over a rural footpath that crosses fields and allotments near Urchfont. This is where the Black Dog, a creature steeped in local legend, is said to roam. Described as a harbinger of misfortune, the Black Dog's presence is a chilling experience for those who claim to have encountered it. With no specific details of when these sightings occurred, the mystery surrounding this phantom hound only adds to its eerie allure.

Rural Footpath Unknown
Read Full Story
Apparition 2.5 mi

Lost Pilot of Upavon

Perimeter around former RAF Upavon, Upavon

The perimeter of former RAF Upavon in Wiltshire is said to be haunted by the ghost of a shadowy pilot. This phantom is believed to be the spirit of a pilot who lost his life when his First World War aircraft crash-landed in nearby fields. The eerie apparition has been spotted numerous times by men on guard duty, leaving many to wonder if the pilot's spirit still lingers in the area where he met his untimely demise.

Former Military Airfield World War I
Read Full Story

Stay Nearby

Haunted hotels and accommodation near Pond