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The United Kingdom is home to a remarkable variety of country parks, forests, and estates, making it impossible to explore them all in a single lifetime. Like many countries, some of the eerie tales surrounding our forests are enough to send chills down your spine.
It’s wise to steer clear of certain woodland areas on our list, as they’re not suited for those with a weak constitution. Whether you believe in the legends or not, read on to discover 10 forests in Britain that we dare you to enter at night.
10. Epping Forest Essex
Epping Forest is a vast expanse of woodland that stretches across the boundary between London and Essex. It has gained notoriety as a burial ground for murder victims due to its proximity to the capital. In fact, many believe that victims of the infamous Kray twins are buried within its depths.
As a result, the forest has become infamous for ghostly encounters and eerie happenings. Some individuals claim to have experienced being touched, shoved, or even pursued while in the forest.
In a 2003 episode of Most Haunted, the team sought out the ghost of Dick Turpin, a notorious 18th-century highwayman who used the forest as a hideout and is believed to have committed at least one murder there.
During the investigation, the crew reported feeling as though Turpin was trying to communicate with them, leading them off their intended path until they had to be rescued. Other unsettling tales from the 1960s describe ghostly figures emerging from a pond in the forest, some of which were on horseback, vanishing as they approached the town.
Unsurprisingly, with its dark and twisted history, the forest continues to haunt and terrify visitors to this day.
9. Great Wood Blickling
The sprawling estate of Blickling Hall, home to the Great Wood, is believed to be haunted by the ghost of Anne Boleyn. It’s speculated that Blickling Hall was her birthplace, and her father, Thomas Boleyn, once owned the property. As a result, both Anne and Thomas are said to haunt the grounds.
On May 19, the anniversary of her execution, Anne is reportedly seen riding in a coach drawn by four headless horsemen, traveling from the woods to the hall. Upon arrival, her coach disappears, and she is said to appear without her head.
Once she vanishes, Anne’s ghost is known to roam the halls of Blickling Hall for the rest of the night, carrying her severed head. Thomas, who was also executed, is said to appear crossing bridges over and over, a symbol of repentance for his role in his daughter’s beheading.
The estate welcomes visitors throughout the year, offering a chance to explore its haunted history. However, it’s best to avoid visiting on May 19, if possible.
8. The New Forest Hampshire
The New Forest is often dubbed the “most haunted part of Britain,” thanks to the numerous ghost sightings that are reported each year. Located in Hampshire, it stretches across the southern tip of England, near Southampton.
The forest is said to be home to several poltergeists and spirits, with many documented appearances. One of the most notable is the ghost of King William II, who was murdered by his brother within these woods. His spirit is believed to haunt the area near the Rufus Stone, where he is often described as having red hair, earning him the nickname “Rufus the Red.”
On the edges of the New Forest, close to Fordingbridge, a procession of ghostly monks is said to walk the churchyard at Breamore. These apparitions are often seen near ancient stone coffins before vanishing into the misty trees.
The New Forest is home to a multitude of eerie stories, including legends of witches, unsettling moans and wails, and even ghostly faces that peer through the windows of village homes.
7. Fountains Abbey Yorkshire
Located near Ripon in Yorkshire, Fountains Abbey is one of the best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in the UK. The Cistercians were Catholic monks who lived in isolation within monasteries, and this abbey is one of the most renowned in the world.
The abbey was founded in 1132, and it is widely believed that the voices of deceased monks can be heard at the Chapel of Nine Altars. The eerie presence of these spectral monks is likely tied to the fact that as many as 2,000 of them are buried beneath the abbey.
The grounds are also rumored to echo with the sounds of a choir’s chanting, despite the fact that this should be impossible. The expansive gardens and forests surrounding the abbey only add to the eerie atmosphere. Many have reported seeing ghostly figures within the monastery, and the nearby deer park further intensifies the chilling mood of the entire area.
6. Witches Wood Devon
Witches Wood is located in Lydford Gorge in Devon, in the southwestern part of England. The forest is said to be inhabited by several ghostly spirits. The walk through the gorge is so dense with trees that it can feel unnervingly dark even during the day.
Upon passing through the gorge, visitors will reach the main attraction: the 30-meter (98 ft) White Lady Waterfall. Local legend claims the waterfall is named after a mysterious figure known as the White Lady, who has been seen beneath the falls. She is said to wear a flowing white gown and rescue those who are in danger of drowning in the river.
Another unsettling location in the gorge is Devil’s Cauldron, a series of treacherous whirlpools that can be tricky to navigate. This perilous spot is said to be the site of numerous deaths or suicides due to its dangers.
5. Bradley Woods Lincolnshire
The village of Bradley in Lincolnshire is home to the haunting figure known as the Black Lady of Bradley Woods. Numerous sightings have been reported over the years, with the Black Lady believed to haunt the woods on the village’s outskirts.
The Black Lady is often described as wearing a black cloak with tears streaming down her ‘pretty’ face. While she is a sorrowful figure, there have been no reports of her causing harm to anyone who encounters her ghostly presence.
Some individuals claim to have struck the Black Lady with their vehicles, only to find no trace of her when they step out to investigate. Other accounts describe her appearing as a mist, which vanishes suddenly when those who encounter it try to follow.
There are even photographs taken by people who have ventured into the woods, capturing strange and unexplainable sights. As of 2019, many visitors have witnessed phenomena in the woods that defy logic. Some local newspapers speculate that these sightings could be linked to Bradley’s own version of 'Bigfoot.'
Numerous origin stories surround the Black Lady, including tales of her being a wife who was raped and had her baby stolen, or of her as a local spinster. However, no clear explanation has emerged. One thing remains indisputable, though: her spectral presence seems to linger in the area.
4. Cannock Chase Staffordshire
Cannock Chase is a vast area of countryside in Staffordshire, characterized by dense forests and open spaces. The region gained notoriety in the 1960s due to a string of gruesome murders involving schoolgirls.
However, its haunted reputation predates this tragic event. The Four Crosses, an old pub located in Cannock Chase, is infamous for its high level of poltergeist activity. Reports include the sounds of children crying, objects moving on their own, and mysterious footsteps echoing through the building.
In the woodlands, there is the unsettling tale of the 'Black-Eyed Child.' This eerie girl was seen in the 1980s, and one mother’s account of the encounter goes as follows:
I turned around and saw a girl standing behind me, no older than 10, with her hands covering her eyes. [ . . .] I asked her if she was alright and if she had been the one screaming. She lowered her arms and opened her eyes. That’s when I saw they were entirely black—no iris, no white, nothing. [ . . .] When I looked back, the child had vanished. It was so bizarre.
Quite unsettling, indeed!
3. Wistman’s Wood Dartmoor
Wistman’s Wood is a high-altitude oak forest located on Dartmoor, a large moorland. It was once part of a much larger woodland area. The trees in the wood are covered in lichen, giving them an unsettling appearance that adds to the creepy atmosphere.
This eerie scene was famously described by Countryfile magazine as making the trees resemble “writhing arms grabbing fistfuls of passing witches’ hair.” The forest is also known for being inaccessible to wild animals on foot, leaving it overgrown and undisturbed, further enhancing its unsettling character.
Wistman’s Wood is famously tied to the Wild Hunt, a ghostly procession of spectral hounds or hunters chasing their prey. According to local lore, the 'Wish Hounds' reside in the trees, hunting those brave enough to enter at night. These hounds are said to be completely black and are heard howling through the night as they chase after trespassers.
Other tales include that of Hairy Hands Bridge, where it is said the ghost of an immigrant with hairy hands haunts the area. This eerie figure is said to frequent the surrounding woods, and it would take a brave soul to venture through these dark woods at night.
2. Bisham Woods Berkshire
Bisham Woods are a collection of wooded areas near Bisham Abbey in Berkshire. These woods were once part of the larger Bisham Estate, which was the residence of Lady Hoby, a close companion of Queen Elizabeth I.
Legend has it that Lady Hoby was a proud, strict mother who tragically killed her son in a fit of anger while trying to discipline him. It is believed that she wished her son to be as educated and refined as the children of her royal friends.
Following the tragedy, it is believed that Lady Hoby's spirit haunts Bisham Abbey and the nearby woods. Witnesses claim to have seen her washing her blood-stained hands, visibly remorseful and tearful.
Local legends suggest that her appearance is more frequent during UK coronations, as these events remind her of her choice to support the monarchy over her own son. She is often described as wearing white with a black face, forever mourning the horrific crime she committed against her child.
1. Dering Woods Kent
Dering Woods is located approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the village of Pluckley in Kent, and is renowned locally for its ghostly legends. Pluckley itself has earned the title of Britain's most haunted village from the Guinness Book of Records, so it's no surprise that the surrounding woods share this eerie reputation.
Legends tell of the constant sound of screams echoing through the woods, day and night. This unsettling phenomenon has led locals to refer to the area as the 'Screaming Woods.' The origins of these cries remain unknown, and paranormal enthusiasts frequently visit the woods to uncover its mysteries.
There are chilling stories of a colonel who took his own life in the forest, and is said to roam the area, reaching out to passersby. Other reports tell of a highwayman who leaps out at unsuspecting hikers in the woods.
Numerous other eerie stories and disturbing videos of the screaming can be found online. Whether you believe these accounts or not, the village of Pluckley and its surrounding Dering Woods are undeniably some of the creepiest places you can visit.
