Ghostly Folklore - Britain’s Most Haunted Village.

One little village, so many ghosts!

Kent is a county in the South East of England, it is sometimes referred to as the ‘The Garden of England’ due to its patchwork of fields and abundance of orchards and hop gardens. It is a beautiful place to visit, particularly in the height of summer. But these are not the only things this area is know for, as it is also infamous as the location of Britain’s Most Haunted Village, Pluckley.

Pluckley has a population of around one thousand - slightly more when its ghosts are taken into account. There are references to the village given in the Doomsday Book of 1086, it famously appeared in the Guiness Book of Records 1989, when it was named ‘the most haunted village in Britain,’ with a total of 12 different ghosts being identified at the time, although this category is no longer used in current editions of the book.

With locations like ‘Fright Corner’ and ‘The Screaming Woods,’ lovers of creepy tales can be sure they are in for a treat. The following descriptions were taken from a recent newspaper, the reporter was able to identify 15 ghosts, so its spectral population is still growing.

1. The Highwayman at The Crossroads

With a name like Fright Corner, it is unsurprising this road is the location of one of the ghosts who is said to make a regular appearance. For it is believed a highwayman was killed here in the 18th century, after fighting with with those in charge of keeping the peace in the village. His ghost appears at the crossroads, pinned to an oak tree by the very sword that slew him.

2. The Hanged Man

It might look like the perfect place for a sedate country stroll but if stories are to be believed Dicky Buss's Lane is anything but. It is claimed people walking the lane have encountered the phantom of a man hanging from a tree. He is said to be the spirit of a poor teacher, who took his life following World War One, his body was found by Dicky, the miller, who lived nearby, and so the lane was named after him.

3. Cries at The Brickworks

People say they have heard shrieking from the old Brickworks, these terrifying sounds are claimed to be made by the spectre of an unfortunate worker who met his end there, when he was crushed to death by a wall of clay.

4. A Coach and Four

The sound of ghostly horses hooves are said to chill the blood of the people living in the village. Visions of a carriage pulled by four horses is said to haunt Maltman's Hill, according to locals. A babysitter even reported seeing the coach, describing a light pouring from its windows as horses pulled it along the street. And back in 1997 one driver almost crashed when he heard the clatter of hooves on cobbles as he drove through the area.

5. The Lady in the graveyard

Its seems almost inevitable that one of Pluckley’s haunted locations should be its cemetery, for there are few locations as eerie as a graveyard. Lady Dering was buried here in the 12th century in a coffin made of lead with a red rose placed on its top. There have been sightings of her - she is known as the Red Lady after the rose she still bears - wandering among the graves, wailing while she searches for the resting place of her stillborn baby.

6. Menacing monk

With a name like ‘Greystones’ one would expect a house to be imposing and threatening - this one also has its own ghost for good measure. Built in 1863 it was originally called Rectory Cottage, as it was the home of the rector of nearby St Nicholas Church. Another of its residents was said to be the ghost of a monk. However, since it was renamed Greystones, the monk seems to have hidden himself away.

7. Gypsy ghost

Pinnock Bridge is said to be the haunt of an old Gyspy woman, who made her living selling watercress she collected from the stream below. She has been spotted sitting on the bridge. It's believed to be where she lost her life after being accidentally burned to death, when ash from her pipe ignited her clothes. She appears as a misty figure, who never speaks - but simply sits there smoking her tobacco.

8. Pub ghouls

The old pub ‘The Blacksmith's Arms’ boasted not one, but three, ghosts. Previously called both ‘The Spectre's Arms’ and ‘The Ghost's Arms,’ because of the many hauntings, and strange things that went on there. Among the figures who have been seen in the pub were a Tudor maid, a coachman who gazes longingly at the fire in the public bar, and a Cavalier wandering around the upstairs rooms.

9. Misty miller

Richard 'Dicky' Buss - who had a lane named after him - was believed to haunt the village's ruined and abandoned, windmill, The Pinnocks. The mill closed in 1930 and nine years later was destroyed in a storm when it was struck by lightning.

However, it was believed Dicky’s misty spirit could be seen for many years, appearing on stormy nights, walking about the remains of the building. Sadly there is nothing to be seen of the windmill today.

10. Thieving spirits

The Black Horse also has its fair share of ghosts but they are a shy set of spirits, for while they are cheeky, they are never actually seen. The pub, which used to be a farmhouse belonging to the local bailiff, was surrounded by a moat. Today it is famous for things magically disappearing from right in front of people. But these spooks possess a conscience, as a few days after the items disappear, they turn up again.

11. The white lady

A lady in white was said to stalk the library of her old family home, Surrenden Dering. The grand house was destroyed in a blaze in 1952 but her spirit was reportedly seen by staff from the US Embassy, who used the property as a base between the two World Wars. One man even held an all night vigil one Christmas Eve, when the lady in white appeared, he shot at her ghost with his rifle, before she vanished through a wall.

12. The Colonel

Park Wood has been largely cleared today, though it is still possible to see small copses, that hint at it existence. It was said that the ghost of a Colonel - who took his own life - can be seen wandering amongst the trees. He is still spotted occasionally.

13. A Poisonous End

Rose Court is a 250 year old house, it looks like the quintessential, quaint, English cottage, however it hides a very troubled past. One of the former ladies of the property was said to have taken her own life by eating a handful of poisonous berries. Her apparition is still reported to this day.

14. A Haunted Hunting Lodge

The Derring Arms is yet another haunted pub (how many does one village need!) It used to be a hunting lodge, and is said to be home to the ghost of a woman wearing a bonnet. She has been seen by many customers and her figure is so clear, she is often mistaken for a real customer.

15. Screaming Woods

Finally, there's the chillingly named ‘Screaming Woods.’ Only the truly brave walk here at night, as visitors tell of a terrible screeching and howling that issues from amongst the trees. Fortunately, no one has yet seen the thing that makes the noises.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog my friend, hopefully you are not too scared and will be able to sleep soundly tonight. However if you feel you need more chills, I enclose a link to a video, where the wonderful Richard O’Brien narrates some of Pluckley’s ghostly tales.

Stay Spooky.