Haunting Stories From Around Winchester
Horror Stories - Haunting Stories From Around Winchester
"The Limping Monk is said to haunt Cathedral Close, an area outside Winchester's 1,000-year-old Cathedral. The ghost is described as being dressed in brown cloak, moving swiftly, but with a pronounced limp. Experts have been unable to agree the age of the spooky manifestation, but some believe the monk may predate the Cathedral and relate to the much older early church that once stood on the same spot."
The ghost of clanking woman is reputed to haunt the former 18th Century offices of the Hampshire Chronicle at 57 High Street, Winchester. The last known sighting was made in 2001, when an employee of the Chronicle reported seeing a shadowy mass appear before his eyes and proceed to float through a wall. The ghost is named the clanking woman because of the sound that is said to accompany her when she manifests.
The picturesque Hyde Tavern in Winchester has a lengthy history that stretches back into the city's dark past. In the days before the welfare state, the poorest and most vulnerable members of British society were often dependent on the charity of others in order to survive. If such charity was not forthcoming, it was not uncommon for the destitute to die on the streets (or in the poorhouse).
According to legend, one crawl winter's night, a starving, homeless woman was refused entry to the Hyde Tavern, where she sought sanctuary from the bitter climate. The following morning, the elderly lady was found frozen to death in the tavern's garden. Ever since, staff and customers have been disturbed by the haunting, anguished groans of a disembodied entity, thought to be the ghost of the starving woman.
For some reason, I have always found the idea of strong ghosts particularly chilling, which is perhaps why the Tall Man of Quarry Road occupies a special place in my canon of Winchester ghosts stories. The entity is reported to haunt a private dwelling in Winchester and is described as being unusually spiteful and malevolent. One story from the 1960s tells of the Tall Man manifesting in front of a mother and her child and proceeding to push the five year old girl down a flight of fifteen stairs. The unfortunate child survived the ordeal, but was left with a broken leg. The property has been subjected to a number of exorcisms in recent times.
The Jolly Farmer in Winchester dates from the 19th Century and is described as a friendly, charming local pub and restaurant. However, the jovial name and cheerful atmosphere mask a less palatable presence. "Drunk Henry" is thought to have been a local criminal, who was hanged near-by for a series of petty crimes. Subsequently, his ghost took to visiting the Jolly Farmer, where it takes pleasure in causing childish mischief for the staff and customers.
Winchester Cathedral, home to a large family of ghosts that haunt the surrounding grounds. A trip to Winchester can sometimes feel like a trip into the imagination of J.R.R Tolkein. The ancient city, which was once the capital of Saxon England, has roots stretching back to prehistory, a fact that is evident everywhere. It is a city that is firmly anchored in the distant past.
Druids, Romans, Saxons and Normans have all made Winchester their home at various points in history. Winchester has taken on mythical connotations as a result of it's connection with the Legend of King Arthur.
With at least 3,000 years of permanent settlement, Winchester has witnessed more than its fair share of disaster and death. Wars, famines and plagues have all left scars upon the city, including a multitude of alleged hauntings.
British Paranormal names its favorite five Winchester based ghosts:
Druids, Romans, Saxons and Normans have all made Winchester their home at various points in history. Winchester has taken on mythical connotations as a result of it's connection with the Legend of King Arthur.
With at least 3,000 years of permanent settlement, Winchester has witnessed more than its fair share of disaster and death. Wars, famines and plagues have all left scars upon the city, including a multitude of alleged hauntings.
British Paranormal names its favorite five Winchester based ghosts:
Limping Monk
"The Limping Monk is said to haunt Cathedral Close, an area outside Winchester's 1,000-year-old Cathedral. The ghost is described as being dressed in brown cloak, moving swiftly, but with a pronounced limp. Experts have been unable to agree the age of the spooky manifestation, but some believe the monk may predate the Cathedral and relate to the much older early church that once stood on the same spot."
Clanking Woman
The ghost of clanking woman is reputed to haunt the former 18th Century offices of the Hampshire Chronicle at 57 High Street, Winchester. The last known sighting was made in 2001, when an employee of the Chronicle reported seeing a shadowy mass appear before his eyes and proceed to float through a wall. The ghost is named the clanking woman because of the sound that is said to accompany her when she manifests.
Starving Woman
The picturesque Hyde Tavern in Winchester has a lengthy history that stretches back into the city's dark past. In the days before the welfare state, the poorest and most vulnerable members of British society were often dependent on the charity of others in order to survive. If such charity was not forthcoming, it was not uncommon for the destitute to die on the streets (or in the poorhouse).
According to legend, one crawl winter's night, a starving, homeless woman was refused entry to the Hyde Tavern, where she sought sanctuary from the bitter climate. The following morning, the elderly lady was found frozen to death in the tavern's garden. Ever since, staff and customers have been disturbed by the haunting, anguished groans of a disembodied entity, thought to be the ghost of the starving woman.
Tall Man
For some reason, I have always found the idea of strong ghosts particularly chilling, which is perhaps why the Tall Man of Quarry Road occupies a special place in my canon of Winchester ghosts stories. The entity is reported to haunt a private dwelling in Winchester and is described as being unusually spiteful and malevolent. One story from the 1960s tells of the Tall Man manifesting in front of a mother and her child and proceeding to push the five year old girl down a flight of fifteen stairs. The unfortunate child survived the ordeal, but was left with a broken leg. The property has been subjected to a number of exorcisms in recent times.
Drunk Henry
The Jolly Farmer in Winchester dates from the 19th Century and is described as a friendly, charming local pub and restaurant. However, the jovial name and cheerful atmosphere mask a less palatable presence. "Drunk Henry" is thought to have been a local criminal, who was hanged near-by for a series of petty crimes. Subsequently, his ghost took to visiting the Jolly Farmer, where it takes pleasure in causing childish mischief for the staff and customers.