It’s time to get out and explore some of Nottinghamshire’s more spooky locations. Adding some ghost hunting and a creepy tale is a great way to make a countryside expedition even more memorable, especially around the campfire after dark.
Whether you’re planning an afternoon stroll or a full-blown overnight camping expedition for a ghost hunting team, the countryside and villages of Nottinghamshire have no shortage of local legends and strange stories. So, here are five ideas for exploring the spookier parts of the county:
The Black Dog of Beckingham
There are no end of tales about ghostly black dogs with glowing red teeth roaming about the place, but few are as frightening as the one that haunts the Old Trent Road area of Beckingham. Locals will tell you how one unlucky farmer encountered the hound late at night and was so terrified that he went insane. The beast has been seen prowling from the churchyard to the nearby marshland. What better place to set up camp for the night, eh?
Naked Irishmen in East Stoke
Not your usual sort of ghost, but still quite a terrifying sight. Ramblers walking near the river at East Stoke have been surprised to see several naked men rushing by and disappearing into thin air. Researchers believe that these are the ghosts of mercenaries from the Wars of the Roses, who changed sides and were stripped of their clothes as a humiliating punishment.
Charlie, the Miller from Besthorpe
Today, Besthorpe is best known for its nature reserve and beautiful scenery. Years ago, a mill stood on Sand Lane. It may be be long gone now, but it seems that nobody has told our Charlie; the former miller. His ghost has been seen by many, standing around near the site of his old mill.
The Lost Village of Radley
Somewhere in the valley to the south east of Halam, the lost village of Radley lies buried forever. Despite disappearing in Tudor times, the old church bells can still be heard on a quiet night. Everybody: “Oooh!”
Murder in Harlow Wood
If you go down to the woods today, you could be in for a surprise. Around 1800, a young lady called Bessie Smith was walking along what is now the Mansfield Road, close to the woods, when she was robbed and murdered by local man, Charles Rotherham. A small stone memorial marks the spot where she was killed, and it is said that Bessie will appear to anyone who touches it.
Know of any other spooky spots in Notts? Let us know in the comments below...
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