Sir Godfrey Haslitt married Lady Evelyn Carew on 31st May, 1742. At midnight, during the wedding celebrations, the bride was seized from the Hall and carried out screaming to a coach. The coach tore down the drive and headed towards Potter Heigham. Arriving at the bridge, the coach smashed into the wall and was flung, with its occupants, into the River Thurne below.

At midnight, on the anniversary of the fatal wedding night, the journey is repeated by the phantom coach.

Potter Heigham Bridge.

In the 18th century Sir Godfrey Haslitt, of Bastwick, Norfolk, owned a large estate but had no wife. King George decided to introduce him to one, Lady Evelyn Montefiore-Carew of Kings Lynn. She was in the market not only for a husband but also a fortune.

Lady Evelyn's mother, determined that her daughter should have Sir Godfrey, sought the help of a local witch in making a love potion, which she administered to Sir Godfrey during a hunting party at Kings Lynn. The witch had refused any monetary payment but had made Lady Evelyn's mother swear that, if the potion worked, then whatever the witch asked for would be given. To this Lady Carew had foolishly agreed.

Sir Godfrey proposed to Lady Evelyn and the date of the wedding was set for the 31st May, 1742 and took place with a great deal of pomp and ceremony in Norwich. The bridal party then returned to Bastwick for the reception.

However, at the reception as the clock struck midnight, the gates of the hall burst open and there stood a skeleton. Ignoring the screaming guests the skeleton rushed over to where the young bride stood in her new husband's arms and grabbed her up in its bony limbs.

The skeleton then rushed out of the hall, still holding its victim, into a waiting coach which was drawn by four black horses. As Sir Godfrey and his astounded guests rallied themselves and raced out in pursuit, the coach set off in the direction of Potter Heigham. Sir Godfrey's last view of his bride was her young pale face pressed against the glass mouthing entreaties whilst the skeleton sat behind her, its bony arms wrapped around Lady Evelyn and her bridal gown.

It is assumed that a pursuit was made by some of the guests and Sir Godfrey, as the account goes that upon reaching the bridge at Potter Heigham, the coach collided with the wall. It then burst into flames and tumbled into the River Thurne with its ill-fated passenger still inside.

This then was the payment that the witch had demanded for her potion.

On the anniversary of that fateful day any locals, foolish enough to be in the vicinity of Potter Heigham Bridge at midnight, will hear the sound of horse's hooves and the scrunch of wheels on the road. A fiery coach comes into view careering at a great speed. It then hits the bridge and plunges into the water of the river below before vanishing.

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