As Halloween approaches, we reveal why north Norfolk is one of the most haunted places in the UK.

At only 384 square miles, north Norfolk is one of the most haunted places in the UK, with scores of recorded ghostly sightings and haunted buildings.  Some well-known hauntings and sightings include the shrieking pits at West Runton, the white lady of Gunton Park, the phantom coach of Long Stratton, the Pump Hill ghost of Happisburgh, the Snettisham ghost and the Armine LeStrange haunting of Old Hunstanton.  Visit North Norfolk, has picked out its top ten ghostly tales and has also rounded up a gaggle of activities to enjoy during the October half term.

Top Ten Ghostly Tales

Blickling Estate:

Anne Boleyn is said to ride, carrying her head, through Blickling Estate, on the anniversary of her execution.  The apparition of her father, Sir Thomas, who was involved in a family betrayal, is also known to make the odd appearance.

The Yow Yows:

This ghostly noise is said to be heard off the coast of Sheringham.  It is believed to be the calling from doomed mariners who drowned in a storm after no one attempted to save them.  Before a storm, these cries are heard from these perished mariners, reportedly hoping to lure the living into a watery grave.

Blakeney Tunnels:

According to legend, a network of tunnels beneath the village of Blakeney is said to be home to an array of creatures, among them 'hytersprites' – spider-like creatures.   It is said fairies kidnap badly behaved children who stray on to their saltmarsh but they return any lost children to their families.

Raynham Hall:

One of the most well- known hauntings is an apparition of a lady in a brown brocade dress. According to legend, the woman is Lady Dorothy Walpole, who was locked away by a cruel husband.

The Ghost Fiddler of Binham Priory:

Haunting the grounds at night is reportedly a black monk, who emerges from a tunnel linking the priory to the shrine at Walsingham three miles away.  After that part of the tunnel near Binham Priory caved in, Jimmy Griggs a local fiddler was the only one to go in along with his dog Trap. He played his fiddle as he walked through the tunnel until it the music suddenly stopped.  Later that night, a great storm caused the tunnel entrance to collapse, and Jimmy was never seen again. His mysterious music is sometimes heard at midnight.

The Ghostly Whistler of Weybourne:

The whistles of smuggler John Smythe can apparently be heard when the moon is full.  The whistles are believed to attract the attention of his fellow tax evaders.

The She-wolf of Castle Rising:

There have been many ghostly sightings at the ruins with some reporting having seen the wife of Edward ll, Isabella the Fair, who transforms into a wolf. She is said to have suffered bouts of madness while living here.

The Ghost of William Windham III at Felbrigg Hall:

The phantom bibliophile is believed to visit the library where he died trying to rescue his precious volumes when a fire broke out. Apparently his ghost will only appear when an exact combination of books is placed on the library chair.

The Screaming Cockler of Stiffkey:

It is said that a young girl called Nancy, was lost while cockling after the tide started turning and the weather closed in with thick fog.  The villagers took to their boats to try to find her but despite hearing her cries, Nancy couldn't be found.  Nancy's body was found the next day and is buried in the local churchyard.  There have been lots of reports of her ghost being seen and screams heard while roaming the mud flats, particularly on foggy nights.

The Poltergeist of Sandringham:

A regular Christmas home for the royal family, Sandringham House has a number of quite disturbing reports. Sudden blasts of cold air have been reported as well as the hands of a clock moving freely.  Books have also been witnessed flying off shelves, Christmas cards flying around the room, and blankets being pulled off beds. Phantom footsteps are often heard, as well as wheezing sounds, and lights being switched on and off by themselves. 

If you're looking for a guaranteed spooktacular time for all the family, then there are lots of ghoulish goings-on throughout north Norfolk during October half term.  For more information: www.visitnorthnorfolk.com.

Hocus Pocus Halloween at Holkham Hall: Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th October 2016, 10am-5pm

Begin the ghoulish festivities early with a host of Halloween themed activities for the kids to enjoy. Everyone is invited to dress up for the occasion and join in the fancy dress parade after getting some frightening face paint.  In the 'old kitchen' of the hall, join the Kiddy Cook team to help make scarily scrummy cupcakes and decorate them with creepy crawlies before marveling at the decorative gourds and pumpkins whilst discovering bewildering batty factoids in Halloween themed quizzes.  The 'Field to Fork' exhibition will be transformed where bats will abound, quizzes and riddles will bewitch. Dare to discover what lurks in the creepy crawly boxes then it's all aboard the Halloween Express to the walled garden to get the heebie jeebies listening to the spell-binding tales by Fairy Folk and Fable or Tilly the Talespinner. Get creative carving pumpkins and interact with slithery snakes, lazy lizards and spiders at party animal time!

Trick or Tweet at Pensthorpe: 22 – 30 October 2016 

Get into the spirit of Halloween with Hootz and discover the grim and gruesome side of nature!

With quizzes, puzzles, riddles, spooky crafts, pumpkins galore and the creepy crawly trail, your day with will be truly 'spooktacular!' Help Hootz find the phantom pumpkins before they cast any Halloween spells. Little witches and wizards can make their own creepy crawly to take home and there will be a prize for the best dressed fancy dress 'photo booth' picture.

Fright Free Open Day at Cromer Pier: 29 October 2016 

Cromer Pier will be holding a free Halloween Open Day during the daytime on Saturday 29th October, 11am – 4pm. This will be suitable for people of all ages (it won't be scary!).

Ride the Ghost Train with North Norfolk Railway: 22 – 29 October 2016 

Join North Norfolk Railway to ride their ghost train if you dare!

Halloween week starts on 22nd October, and the North Norfolk Railway is ready with a line up that's full of treats and more than a spooky trick or two!  Enter the spook-laden Ghostly Grotto, hellish haunt of witches, warlocks and shuddering spiders at Weybourne Station - if you're feeling brave enough!

Ghost Train Departures - Friday 28th October:

Take a journey in darkness, surrounded by ghostly goings-on as you journey up and down the line. The first spooky departure will leave Sheringham at 5pm - a journey designed to spook children under the age of eleven. Take part in the Best Costume Competition whilst enjoying a Hot Chocolate and a spooky treat. Take time to stop off and explore the Grisly Grotto at Wicked Weybourne before going full steam ahead to Haunted Horrible Holt!

The second ghostly departure is for the slightly less timid, departing Sheringham at 8pm.  Booking is essential and seats are sold on a first come first served basis. Normal fares will be in operation during the week. (Special fares apply on evening Ghost Train.)

The Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade at Bewilderwood: 15 – 30th October 2016 

The most famously fabulous event of Bewilderwood's year is an illuminated treat for everyone. Make lanterns and spend the day exploring the Halloween woodland decorations and listen to the special edition Bewilderbats storytelling. Then wind your way through the woods to build and decorate a truly special lantern of your very own. That's one each for the whole family.  The show starts at dusk. Snagglefang the bat will get things going with a poem, then it's off through the dark to meet Slitherigrubs, Witches, naughty Thorneycold Spiders and even Swampy himself! Be delighted by lights and lazers and glowing pumpkins as the whole parade reaches an awesome crescendo in the deep marsh.  All the activities are included in the ticket price (book online or pay at the gate).

Halloween Party at Woodland Holiday Park, Trimingham, Cromer: 26 October 2016 

There's spooky goings on at Woodland Holiday Park from 6pm until late. Join Crazy Corin, for fun games, magic, music, dancing and most importantly the fancy dress competition!  It is all completely free and suitable for all ages.

Wells & Walsingham Railway: 'Spooky I-Spy': 22 - 30 October 2016

There's some frighteningly good fun happening at the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway this half term! Take a train ride and join in the Spooky I-Spy.  Spot the hidden potion ingredients down the line. But beware of ghoulish characters along the way!

To find out more for half term go to: www.visitnorthnorfolk.com.

ENDS

Contact:
Kayla Dunne, Brand Manager, Visit North Norfolk
M: 07496 049639
E: kayla@visitnorthnorfolk.com 

Notes to editors:

About Visit North Norfolk:
Visit North Norfolk is the official Destination Management Organisation for the north Norfolk area, working in partnership with North Norfolk District Council and Visit East Anglia. As a membership organisation and not-for-profit, business membership subscription helps to support the promotion of north Norfolk tourism along with public sector funding.  The role of Visit North Norfolk is to raise the profile of the area and its businesses, and to grow the number of people aware of and visiting the destination.  www.visitnorthnorfolk.com