Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Country and County: United Kingdom

Giants / Hauntings / Legends

Brede Place

Originally dating from the 14th century, Brede Place is a Grade II listed building that was then rebuilt in the 15th century by Sir Robert Oxenbridge, father of Sir Goddard Oxenbridge, the Bede Giant. For a time the house was associated with smugglers and some haunt like stories were told to keep the locals away.

Giants / Legends

Brede Ogre

According to local legend, a child eating ogre in Brede Park was identified as the Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex, Sir Goddard Oxenbridge of Brede Place. Said to have stood seven foot tall (most likely just over 5 foot), he was also known as the Brede Giant. Oxenbridge died on 10 February 1531 and his tomb (constructed in 1537) can be found in the Parish Church of St George in Brede.

Haunted Pubs / Hauntings

The Bell Inn, Thorpe-le-Soken

Dating from the 16th century and originally thought to have been a Guild Hall confiscated by King Henry VIII, the Bell Inn is a Grade I listed building with a reputation of being haunted. The following description was published on 13 October 2014 in the Essex Chronicle within an article by Emily Talbut entitled ‘The 14 most haunted places in Essex to visit this Hallowe’en’.

Apparitions / Devil / Folklore / Hauntings / Legends / Witchcraft

Parish Church of St Nicholas, Canewdon

The Parish Church of St Nicholas in Canewdon dates from the 14th century and according to tradition and local legend, has associations with ghosts, witchcraft and the Devil. The following description of Canewdon was published on 13 October 2014 in the Essex Chronicle within an article by Emily Talbut entitled ‘The 14 most haunted places in Essex to visit this Hallowe’en’

Apparitions / Hauntings

Chelmsford’s Civic Theatre

The Civic Theatre in Chelmsford which hosted its first production on 3 September 1962 is reputedly haunted. The following description was published on 13 October 2014 in the Essex Chronicle within an article by Emily Talbut entitled ‘The 14 most haunted places in Essex to visit this Hallowe’en’.

Apparitions / Hauntings / Matthew Hopkins / Usual Suspects

Mistley Village Pond

The following extract is from an article by Emily Talbut entitled ‘The 14 most haunted places in Essex to visit this Hallowe’en’ which was published on 13 October 2014 in the Essex Chronicle.

Apparitions / Hauntings / Road Ghosts

Drury Lane, Houghton Regis

According to an article entitled ‘It’s rush hour for ghosts on our roads!’ which was published in Luton Today on 5 November 2007. ‘Drury Lane, Houghton Regis, is said to be the haunt of a young, barefoot girl wearing a thin, white party dress.

Apparitions / Hauntings / Road Ghosts

Buttercup Lane, Dunstable

According to an article entitled ‘It’s rush hour for ghosts on our roads!’ which was published in Luton Today on 5 November 2007. ‘Buttercup Lane, in Dunstable, is the scene of reported sightings of a mysterious figure, almost 10ft tall and floating about 18 inches off the ground.

Apparitions / Hauntings / Road Ghosts

Sundon Road, Houghton Regis

According to an article entitled ‘It’s rush hour for ghosts on our roads!’ which was published in Luton Today on 5 November 2007. ‘In Sundon Road, Houghton Regis, a dark-clad figure is said to have been seen and felt by road users.

Apparitions / Hauntings / Road Ghosts

A5 Markyate and Dunstable

According to an article entitled ‘It’s rush hour for ghosts on our roads!’ which was published in Luton Today on 5 November 2007. ‘Unexplained sightings are said to include the lost spirits of two cricketers, who wander along the A5 between Markyate and Dunstable, towards the Packhorse pub.