The Creepy Calendar

Fancy a spot of Ghostbusting? Then why not check out our calendar for dates of where and when some of Norfolk's more famous ghosts are known to return to haunt the locals. If you see anything then be sure to email Peter Raven with the details!

PLEASE NOTE: Spooky Norfolk can not be held responsible for any scares or injuries that may occur when hunting for spooks!

APRIL 7 - Acle Bridge

If you find yourself on the bridge that spans the river Bure in the village of Acle on the 7th of April, it is said that you will discover a pool of blood, which would not have been there the night before. This pool of blood has two possible contenders for its origin, both of whom met their end on the bridge.

MAY 19 - Blickling Hall

Every year on May 19, Anne Boleyn - dressed all in white and carrying her dripping, severed head - arrives in a coach driven by a headless coachman and four headless horses. The coach travels up the drive of Blickling Hall and upon reaching the front door of the Hall coach and driver vanish, leaving just the spectre of Anne. More

The ghost of Anne's father, Sir Thomas, was doomed on the anniversary of his daughter's death, May 19, for a thousand years, to cross 12 neighbouring bridges, including Aylsham, Coltishall and Wroxham, on a coach drawn by four headless horses before cockcrow. More

MAY 25 - St Benet's Abbey

Following the Norman Conquest, a monk betrayed his brethren to soldiers of William the Conqueror on the promise that he would be made Abbot. The Normans appointed him Abbot. He was then nailed to the Abbey doors then skinned alive. The Normans had no love for traitors, even Saxon ones. His hauntings are limited to one day a year - 25th May. At certain times his screams are still to be heard and he can be seen hanging from the former bell tower. More

MAY 31 - Potter Heigham Bridge

Sir Godfrey Haslitt married Lady Evelyn Carew on 31st May, 1742. At midnight, during the wedding celebrations, the bride was seized from the Hall by a skeleton and carried out screaming to a waiting coach. The coach tore down the drive and headed along the road 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. More

JUNE 24 - Oulton Broad

A prime opportunity for those interested in investigating psychic phenomena occurs on Oulton Broad on June 24 every year - at 12.30am on Saturday to be precise. The apparition is a large one - a full-sized wherry under sail, no less - and is said to be in full view as it sails round the Broad for about half an hour! More

JULY 11 - Breydon Water

An eerie experience befell some men on a fishing trip on Breydon Water on 11 July 1929. On a "warm, balmy night with a clear sky" they heard a loud noise coming towards them. The noise became louder and appeared to come from the direction of Caister. Then there appeared the "luminescent forms of scores of large sailing galleons crowded with soldiers and rowers." The ships held thousands of men who appeared to be "rejoicing, singing and shouting." These ghostly vessels are said to appear every year on the night of July 11. More

SEPTEMBER 14 - Breydon Water

Some North Quay workmen saw a furious battle on Breydon Water between a type of pirate ship and two smaller vessels "packed stiff with soldiers in steel helmets and armour" on a dark night on September 14 1927. This Battle of Breydon is alleged to occur on the night of September 14 each year. More

CHRISTMAS EVE - Sandringham

The royal house of Sandringham is said to have its ghosts, one whose hollow footsteps can be heard on Christmas Eve, and another who is thought to have been a boy lamplighter. Christmas cards have been found moved from one wall to another and the ghost also takes great pleasure in stripping the bedclothes from freshly-made beds.

NEW YEARS EVE - Old Hall, Ranworth

Colonel Thomas Sydney lived at Old Hall and did not enjoy losing bets. On 31st December, 1770, at the biggest meet of the season, he challenged a neighbour to a race. When he found that he was behind, he pulled out his pistol and shot his opponent's horse, causing the rider to be thrown and break his neck. Whilst at dinner that night, a thin stranger appeared at the Old Hall, threw the Colonel across his saddle and galloped off into the darkness. The colonel eventually disappeared "mysteriously," and it was said that the devil had been seen carrying his body away over the marshes. According to legend, every year on the 31st December, the same scene is repeated. More