5 Of The Best Suffolk Ghost Stories
Whether you’re a believer, skeptic, or think it’s all a bunch of nonsense, there’s no denying that a good ghost story around Halloween makes for a good bit of light entertainment.
As a county with a centuries of documented history, it will come as no surprise that there are plenty of paranormal goings-on that are rumoured to have taken place around Suffolk.
Donning our deerstalker hats and grabbing our pipes once again, we’ve done our best to get to the bottom of five of the most popular Suffolk ghost stories in time for Halloween.
Rougham Mirage
Haunted houses are so last year. The latest trend is mirages – houses that themselves appear and disappear like ghosts.
Suffolk has its very own mirage in Rougham, where it is believed that a stately home vanishes into thin air along the road between Bradfield St George and Rougham Green.
Reportedly, this imposing mirage takes the form of a grand Georgian mansion and is so convincing that a travelling salesman once attempted to ascend the driveway before the house disappeared along with any possible sales opportunity.
With reports of the mirage stretching back as far as 1860, it’s certainly a mainstay of Suffolk ghost stories and has even inspired researchers to dig deep into the archives to find out if such a mansion ever existed.
So far, there are no records to confirm such a house ever belonged to this part of Rougham, though fragments of an unknown building have been unearthed over time.
Could you be the next to witness this curious phenomena? There’s only one way to find out…
The Beautiful Girl of Denham
Blessed with all the hallmarks of a tragic ghost story, the tale of the beautiful girl of Denham has to do with a girl so beautiful that she was killed for consuming the attention of her male neighbours in the 17th century.
With her head-turning appearance seemingly causing widespread whiplash, a band of witches reportedly convinced the villagers to drown her in the same place that all heroines meet their grisly end – in the nearest well.
Following her tragic demise, the young girl has been said to return to the spot of her killing, producing a ball of light that is quickly snuffed out in the same way her beauty was.
Only a short distance from the floral town of Bury St Edmunds, Denham boasts some of the finest Suffolk countryside. You may wish to avoid walking around its streets after dark, though…
Fred Archer
Renowned as the “greatest and saddest jockey” of all time, Fred Archer was a horseman whose ability to ride a winner was outdone only by his sartorial and gentlemanly elegance. A 19th century Chris Eubank, if you like.
Following the unthinkably sad demise of his young family, Fred Archer disappeared from public view and eventually took his own life.
Over the years, there are stories ranging from Fred Archer riding through his beloved Newmarket racecourse atop a ghostly grey horse to somehow influencing the winners of important races.
Whilst a sighting of Fred Archer’s ghost is far from guaranteed, you can be assured of enjoying a good day and evening out at the races whilst in Newmarket.
The Smallest Haunting
In a previous article, we provided our readers with a potted history of the Nutshell, a Bury St Edmunds watering hole which lays claim to being Britain’s smallest pub.
As well as owning this quirky title, the Nutshell also has its fair share of spooky stories to go with it.
In particular, it is rumoured that the ghost of a young boy who once lived and presumably passed in the pub still likes to involve himself in hyjinx, brushing past patrons and causing them to experience a shiver as they shuffle about the pub.
Whether the stories are true or not, there’s no doubt that the Nutshell is well worth a visit if you find yourself in Bury St Edmunds.
Oh, but do be careful not to touch the mummified cat that hangs above the doorway on your way in; it’s said to curse anyone who has the nerve to do such a thing.
Rattlesden Rectory
When it comes to hauntings, there’s no better place for them to go down than a rectory. In Suffolk, it is perhaps Rattlesden Rectory that attracts the most paranormal activity. Apparently.
But what makes this story particularly unique is that the ghost who wanders these parts is said to be naked.
Yep, the ghost which floats around this area of Suffolk is either that of a phenomenal practical joker or one who joined the paranormal realm without his pants.
Whilst we’re not suggesting for a moment that anyone visiting our Barns or Barges for rent in Suffolk spends their time seeking out things that might or might not go bump in the night, these stories will certainly make for a good yarn on a winter’s night, and if you’re reading this, then you’re probably a fan of quirky accommodation!
