The Worlds End, Ecton

The Worlds End public house in Ecton dates from the 17th century and is said to be haunted by the ghost of barmaid who was killed by her jealous suitor. First mentioned in 1678 when it was then known as the Globe, it was rebuilt in 1765. Standing on the Northampton to Wellingborough road, the Inn was visited by John Cole in 1825 who described the stabling as extensive and accommodation being of a superior quality. He also described the pubs sign as being a man on horseback at the abyss at the end of the world with the steed rearing up. One suggested reason for the pub being named The Worlds End is that a temporary prison compound may have been there for royalist prisoners taken at the 1645 Battle of Naseby.

According to an article entitled ‘Do you want a spirit to go with your pint?’ which appeared in the Evening Telegraph on 30 October 2007.

The pub is said to have got its name from the time when it was used as a temporary prison for those captured at the Battle of Naseby in 1645 on their way to face trial in London.

Many died of their battle wounds or from the ill treatment they received from their captors, hence the name The World’s End.

The cellar came to be used as a mortuary and over the years many landlords have reported the sound of footfalls and shadowy figures in the basement.

In 2002 a gas man, working in the cellar alone, saw a man from the knees up walk straight in front of him across the floor.

Also spotted at The World’s End is a ghost with the appearance and dress of a nun but the face is a fleshless skull.

She scared a group of customers in 2002 by appearing among them for a few seconds and then disappearing.

The phantom nun is also said to appear every Halloween at midnight on the road outside near where the village gallows used to stand and she stops anyone attempting to pass.

The legend dates back to the 18th century when just before midnight a coachman driving towards Wellingborough saw a figure standing motionless in the middle of the road. He quickly pulled up the horses and jumped down to confront the person but when he saw the fleshless face he fled.