Suffolk’s Spookiest Sites!
The scariest sites in Suffolk
Spooky Season is here! Ghosts, spirits, specters. What are these? Why do some believe, and others don’t? And how many viewings of these beings have there been in Suffolk? More than you may think. Here are some of the top scariest sites in the area!
Soldiers of Sutton Hoo
It is believed that on the historical site of Sutton Hoo ghosts of Anglo-Saxon soldiers were once seen processing around one of the burial mounds. It was believed that where the ghosts were based, was just above some hidden buried treasure. A séance was held soon after, at which a black phantom warrior on a black horse appeared and told Dorothy Cox, who would visit the site to see her friend Edith, they needed to dig at the mounds. Edith also had a dream about a large, white horse with a rider wearing a helmet, his burial and the flashing gold objects as they were buried next to him. All of the information was passed onto Basil Brown, who soon started work on the site. It seems that the Anglo-Saxon soldiers didn’t want anyone to forget them.
Landguard Fort Victorians
Felixstowe’s Landguard Fort has a vast military past, so it’s no surprise it’s haunted. Staff have reported many ghostly sightings which include the appearance of a Victorian artilleryman in the gift shop. He is said to be the culprit of some poltergeist activity, causing havoc in the gift shop.
Before the appearance of the Victorian artilleryman, local children playing near the fort saw a ghostly coach being pulled by horses across the ditch and into the fort, where the old drawbridge would have stood.
An English musketeer, who was killed during the 1667 invasion, has been said to have been seen by soldiers during WWII as well as a soldier who died of the plague whilst being kept in quarantine at the Fort. If you listen carefully, you may be able to hear his agonising screams.
Dunwich Monastery
Greyfriars monastery, which can be found on the south side of the village and was founded in 1277. It is believed that Greyfriars was home to 20 monks in the late 13th century, and their presence can still be felt whilst walking around the ruins. It has been reported that ghostly monks often wander around the friary during the night. As well as this, hobby lanterns have been seen from the wooded area near the cliff edge. Some believe that the lights are an attempt to lure souls to walk beyond the cliff edge. Greyfriars also has a link to the Black Shuck, a hell hound which was said to have terrorized the area in the 16th century. The ‘Devil’s dog’ as it was known, ran through Greyfriars in 1926, scaring a young woman.
Woodbridge Spirits
We couldn’t miss out the Woodbridge. It has been said that an angry spirit lurks within Woodbridge. The tale begins with a Dutch man living in Woodbridge who had the sight. He could see ghosts and introduced one to the minister of the town, Mr Broom. Mr Broom met a Dutch Lieutenant who had fought alongside a well-known naval admiral, Jacob van Wassenaer Obdam who had been blown up in battle near Lowestopft. He had been taken out of the water and to Woodbridge to recover. From this incident, he had been able to see ghosts.
Mr Broom found this story unlikely, even with the Dutch man persisting with his claim. They two soon met again and Mr Broom was informed that a ghost was walking towards him. The Dutch man told Mr Bloom that when a ghost walks up to someone, they must give way to it as then they wouldn’t suffer from its attentions. Mr Broom, however, ignored this, and walked towards the ghost, pulling the Lieutenant with him. They didn’t get far, as he was flung to the middle of the street.
Mr Broom and the Dutch man then travelled to the minister’s home. One home, Mr Broom asked his maid if anyone had recently died. News soon arrived that a tailor had died at the same moment the two men had seen the ghost.
Ghosts of Seckford Hall
Our last visit is to Seckford Hall, which was originally bult for Sir Thomas Seckford, an official at Queen Elizabeth I’s court. Sir Thomas is said to haunt the building today. A ghostly sighting of Sir Thomas has been reported by many during the night. He appears wearing a crowned hat, white clothing and carrying his wand of office. He is usually quite angry, a ghost with a social conscience, protesting that his money was embezzled by rich people, rather than the poor he bequeathed it to. Another theory is that Seckford was cursed with bad luck because of acquiring church property following the dissolution.