GHT Vigil Ratings

ALRESFORD, Essex.

Ruined Norman and later church set away from the village. Ghost activity here includes a phantom monk, Roman soldiers, A sad girl who perished in a rail accident and an amorous lady. No negative energies, good parking.

****

ANDY`S 50TH BIRTHDAY VIGIL, Essex

Centred around the villages of Virley, Tolleshunt and Mundon. Very quiet on activity and there is little to see at Virley. No negative energies and parking fine at Tolleshunt and Mundon.

***

APPLETON, Norfolk

Picture postcard ruin overlooking lost village and Holy Well, notable for Saxon Tower and elaborate 13th century grave. No negative energies and parking right alongside site.

****

AROUND THE BORDERS, Cambs & Essex

Centred around the area of the Cambs and Essex borders, the team investigated several sites with some interesting results. The main activity was set at Castle Camps Church which seemed to house a rather negative energy. Parking at all the locations was mainly on the verge or off road. Protection required.

***

ASHINGDON, Essex

Not far from Canewdon and Rochford, this hilltop church is said to lie on the site of a great battle, and that the grass still runs red with blood. A very menacing entity is found here either in the lane or in the churchyard. Generous parking area just down from the church. Protection required.

****

BINHAM PRIORY, Norfolk

Infamous in the investigations of GHT, Binham Priory is part intact Nave and ruined Quire with monastic buildings. Several phenomena are attributed to here including choral singing, chanting and other voices, shadowforms, sudden dramatic and unpredicted weather phenomena, the ghost-child Rebecca and two distinctly nasty energies - William DeSomerton and an Elemental. Car Park provided. CAUTION - Multiple protection advised, do NOT go in small groups! Not ideal for first time Investigators.

*****

BERRY POMEROY, Devon

The dramatic ruins perched on a cliff are quite stunning. Notable for several hauntings but chiefly Lady Margaret who haunts one tower and a Black Dog. Area surrounding the castle is also very active. Large car park but not open at night. Protection advised.

****

BLUE BELL HILL, Kent

Notable for the large number of prehistoric remains and for its famous Road Ghost. There are other spirits connected to the site including a possible battle, however its the negative energy of the so-called "witch" which dominates the ancient trackway near Kits Coty stones. Car Parking difficult and mostly on road. Protection required.

****

BORLEY, Essex

Remembered for its haunted Rectory, Borley is a very small hamlet centred around the church. This building now seems to be the source of most hauntings including the famous Ghost Nun. Locals are very hostile towards Ghost Hunters and its actively discouraged. Parking near church but beware, you could be locked in..!

**

BOWERS GIFFORD, Essex

Next to a railway line, this church has stories attached to it about cars having total electrical failures nearby in the lane and for an Essex witch confined to the churchyard. Parking available. Protection advised.

***

BRADWELL JUXTA MARE, Essex

In the middle of nowhere next to the mudflats and marshes of the coast lies the small chapel of St Peter. An ancient structure which was once a Saxon Cathedral, then a barn and now a church once more. Sited inside an old Roman Fort, ghosts of Roman soldiers have been seen here along with an entity which has a very dark energy to it. Parking is 1 mile from site reached on foot. Protection advised.

***

BURGH CASTLE, Norfolk

The site over looks Breydon Water and was once a Roman Fort, later housing a Nunnery. Roman soldier ghosts have been frequently seen here as too has a figure seen falling from a wall. Parking is just over 1 mile from site and its reached via footpaths. 

***

CAISTER ST EDMUND, Norfolk

Abandoned Roman town of VENTA ICENORUM near modern Norwich. Holds record for the coldest location GHT has investigated at -10 degrees!. Various phenomena and spirits recorded but mostly residual energies. Safe site for first time investigations. Large car park.

****

CANEWDON, Essex

In the Essex "Witch country", Canewdon is famed for the hauntings around its church and a certain ghost witch. Also linked to "cunning man" George Pickingill. Do not attempt to visit during Halloween as the village is locked off for residents only. Any other time parking is good. Protection advised.

***

CHILHAM, Kent

One of Kent`s chocolate box villages, very pretty and with many timberframed buildings. GHT investigated the Woolpack Inn and encountered several spirits including a disgruntled Scotsman. Parking in village square but also large car park just off Challock Road (A252). No access to Chilham Castle.

**

CLARE, Suffolk

There is alot in Clare... Medieval town, castle and church, priory and Roman camp and abandoned railway station all in one place! Activity is all residual but there are some fascinating connections to be made. Large car park centrally located

****

COLNE VALLEY RAILWAY, Essex

Preserved Railway near Castle Hedingham. GHT was the first ever team to investigate here and we found several spirits during the fairly cold night. However the camcorder footage revealed it to be alot more active than first thought with alot of light anomolies seen on the playback. On site parking available. Must be pre-booked and arranged with owners, do not just turn up.

****

CREAKE ABBEY, Norfolk

Not far from Binham, Creake Abbey had a very short lifespan but this hasnt stopped it being the centre of a buried treasure story and associated ghost tales too. Very calm site, parking right next door (mind the speed bumps) in a lovely valley setting.

***

CROSS KEYS (SAFFRON WALDEN), Essex

GHT performed their very first indoor investigation here which was also their first all night vigil too. 14th century timbered pub and hotel, it has recently been renovated. Spirits include a Cromwellian soldier, audibles and an angry male spirit who stays up in the loft area. GHT is unsure if the venue will still allow ghost hunting to take place inside, but it is possible to book rooms here as they are run as a hotel all year. Parking is VERY difficult. Protection advised.

*****

DATCHWORTH, Herts

Situated near to Stevenage, its claimed to be the most haunted village in Hertfordshire. Sightings include phantom white horses, water spirits, a funeral coach and churchyard ghosts. Locals very anti-ghost hunting. Parking in most locations severely limited. Not a very good location!

*

DOVER, Kent

Up on the Western Heights, Drop Redoubt is a 19th century fortification which was investigated by both GHT and TPI. Most of the energy is residual and comprises of Military personel, however there were contacts made with other spirits going back as far as the Roman period. Parking a short distance from site. Site Access difficult and NOT wheelchair friendly, plus the site is in a state of considerable disrepair and ongoing conservation, therefore a concise H&S check should be performed. Protection advised.

****

DUNWICH, Suffolk

Most of Dunwich now lies under the sea, but this was once an important coastal city. Storms and erosion have eaten away at it until today its just a small village. Notable sites include the beach where it is possible to come across human bone from the cliffs and the old All Saints churchyard, the "scary path" and Greyfriars ruins, and the Leper Chapel. Large beach car park with toilets. Protection advised

*****

EAST SOMERTON, Norfolk 

Known to GHT as the "Church with the tree" investigation due to the huge tree growing in the middle og the church ruins. Several residual energies were picked up here including an Army Colonal and also a group of children playing. Parking is alongside off road. 

***

EASTWELL PARK, Kent

Set next to a large lake, Eastwell Church ruins have a reputation for being haunted, as does the nearby Pilgrims Way. Alot of residual activity was picked up here along with connections to individuals buried there. No contact was made with the Royal Ghost. Parking is adjacent to the church.

***

ELSTOW, Beds

Not far from the Abbey church stands the Moot Hall, a meeting place from medieval times. GHT may have found evidence for poltergeist activity here after objects mysteriously appearred where none had been before and the whereabouts of all team members had been accounted for. Parking for a few cars nearby. Protection advised.

****

EPPING FOREST, Essex

A Royal hunting forest, Epping is vast...  long known as the hiding place of Dick Turpin, there are other things that hide in the trees here and some of these are almost certainly demonic in nature. Devil worship and the occult has played a big part in the lore of the forest, especially in the area near High Beech Church, who`s churchyard contain a possible grave of another Essex "cunning man". Parking is available but sparse except in dedicated areas. A permit needs to be obtained for permission to investigate in Epping Forest. High Beech area can become a magnet for "boy racers" which disrupt investigations. Protection is a definite must, Do not underestimate this place.

****

HADLEIGH CASTLE, Essex

Royal castle overlooking the Thames. Noted for several ghosts including James Murrell, Wry Neck Sal and Black Shuck. Residual energies of several castle inhabitants including a Guard and a knight, as well as a "timeslip" which allows one to see a medieval fair just outside the castle walls. Restrictive parking at end of lane plus short walk to ruins. Protection advised.

*****

HADSTOCK, Essex

Although GHT has investigated the village and church, a majority of the phenomena is centred on the old airdrome and is mostly of WW2 origin. These come in residual form and include a US Jeep, servicemen and women in a hurry, plane sounds and disembodied voices. Parking in Bowsers Lane just off B1052.

****

HARWICH, Essex

We investigated two sites in Harwich, Fort Redoubt and the Maritime Museum. Both were active if only with residual energies with the Fort also giving away some spirits from a time when the land had a farmhouse on it. The Maritime Museum had a couple of light anomolies caught on camera. Parking has been upgraded at the Fort and is excellent, the museum is on street only.

****

HELLFIRE CAVES, Bucks

Literally Heaven and Hell - the caves sit directly below the church some 300ft down, and the church itself sits within an Iron Age hillfort. GHT captured its very first moving orb anomoly whilst in the caves. Parking in front of the caves is very limited, there is a larger car park further down the hill, but ample parking up by the church. Protection advised.

****

HOTHFIELD, Kent

A relatively new GHT site which is supposedly haunted by a highwayman, who may or may not be the same one as nearby Pluckley. Excellent parking but site suffers from noise contamination by nearby A20 road.

***

HYTHE, Kent

Imagine the chance to investigate a church inside at night? Well in 2008 GHT did exactly that. Hythe is famous for its bone crypt and it was in here that an event happened which shook Colin`s World forever and brought him closer to spirit. The full story can be read in our Reports butit has forever rated Hythe as one of the top, never to be repeated vigils we ever undertook. Parking is in the town just off Prospect Road (A259) but it is a long uphill trek to reach the church. Protection is a must.

*****

KNIGHTON GORGES, I.O.W.

The Isle of Wight is known as The Haunted Isle from the sheer number of ghosts and hauntings it contains. Knighton Gorges is rightly stated to be THE most haunted site on the Island, from phantom men with stovepipe hats, ghostly ladies, electrical problems with cars, light anomalies and a house that is said to reappear every New Years Eve to name just some. Add to that the vengeful spirit of George Bissett and two creatures which make appearances on top of the gate posts. Parking is a real problem, its slightly off road but your run the risk of your car being hit by the numerous others using Knighton Shute as a cut through. Protection required.

*****

LAYSTON CHURCH, Herts

Ruined church just outside Buntingford. Its linked to a story of phantom bell ringing which instantly stopped when the church was approached. Since 2013 the church is being converted into a house and is therefore off limits to investigations.

**

LAWFORD, Essex

Lawford Church is, like Layston, attached to a story about spectral lights and singing being heard from within the locked building, which suddenly stops upon investigation. Parking is good.

***

LINTON, Cambs

The site of the former railway station at Linton may be partially built upon, but the main platforms, ticket office and waiting room survive. Residual effects of passengers and staff picked up on the platforms, and a ghost train came through the station. Parking good.

***

MANNINGTREE, Essex

The home of the notorious Matthew Hopkins, self-styled witchfinder General. Several properties within the town held residual energies although it was at its strongest near the so-called Hanging Tree. Parking at nearby supermarket.

***

MERSEA ISLAND, Essex

The Strood which is a causeway that connects Mersea to the rest of Essex is haunted by a Roman soldier, who maybe the oldest ghost in the county. The Roman Barrow is also haunted by him but East Mersea church is the home of a spirit called Sarah Wench, who lies buried under a caged tomb in the churchyard called a mortsafe. Some believed her to be a powerful witch and its true that her ghost is very strong. Parking by the church and near The Strood. Be very aware of tidal times before making any trip to the island as there is a serious risk of being cut off from the mainland.

***

MISTLEY, Essex

The supposed burial place of Matthew Hopkins lies near the site of the old parish church, but his ghost has been seen in several places in the village. Mistley Towers are the remains of a 17th century church and GHT found them to be very active, footsteps were heard on gravel and there were several shadowforms spotted. Parking was mostly on street although trying to park near the old church site was impossible.

***

PLUCKLEY, Kent

Widely regarded as one of the most haunted villages in England, Pluckley lays claim to 13 ghosts in total, however many are no longer seen and evidence for then is slight. GHT concentrated their efforts on the ruined church at Little Chart and Dering Woods, both have seen a far number of residual hauntings. It was at Little Chart that two of the most compelling pictures the team have on record were taken and for which we still lack explanation for. Although Dering Woods has become a bit overrun by local youths messing about and causing damage to trees which has seen an increased Police presence in that area, the ruins at Little Chart remain open and accessible. Pluckley was also the location for the 10th anniversary investigation held by GHT at the Black Horse Pub. There is parking in the village square and a separate car park at Dering Woods. Little Chart church also has good parking. Protection is required at all sites in Pluckley.

*****

RECULVER, Kent

The twin towers of the ruins of Reculver church stand at one end of a Roman Fort. The sound of phantom babies crying has been heard here which was backed by archaeological evidence when childrens graves were found in the Fort. This location has been unlucky for GHT in terms of weather, for whenever we go it rains constantly! Large car park close by.

***

RENDLESHAM, Suffolk

Although GHT is not primarily a UFO enthusiasts group, we did decide to try an experiment by seeing if using ghost hunting equipment and techniques on a UFO Landing site would produce any results. Although mixed, the evidence we recorded was intriguing and it would be interesting to repeat the experiment again. Large car park but be ready to walk a fair bit.

***

ROUGHAM, Suffolk

GHT love Rougham Control Tower, and hosts Jean and Fiona have always made us feel welcome there. There are a multitude of WW2 residual energies to pick up on, but for us the highlights have to be the figure caught in a picture standing at a window on a non-existent floor level, the large number of moving light anomalies and the first ever clear EVP capture for GHT of a dog barking. Rougham is a wonderful place to investigate however a recent change in ownership/running of the location means that future investigations may no longer be possible. Parking is on site. Protection advised.

*****

RAMSGATE, Kent

Joining up with our friends at CHAPS, we investigated both the Maritime Museum and the Tugboat "Cervia" in.Ramsgate harbour. Both locations were superb for their spirit energies who were willing to communicate freely. The museum offered two floors which had several spirits inhabiting them, whilst the Cervia had a melancholic feel to it possibly due to lives lost on it when it sank once. Parking is best in the Multi-Storey car park rather than in front of the museum. Protection advised.

****

ROYSTON, Herts

The Royston Cave is an enigma, nobody knows for sure when it was constructed or who built it, but the wonderfully crude carvings inside of Christian and Pagan motifs gives rises to a lot of speculation. Spirit connections here are varied, ranging from all walks of history. There is a strong connection to the medieval period most notably the Knights Templars. Car Parking could be any of the nearby ones but the Town Hall Car Park is the best for least distance.

***

SAFFRON WALDEN, Essex

This lovely old town has changed little over the years and as such has a plethora of spirits and ghostly activity on nearly every street. We chose to do a walkabout around the town basically stopping at places where we started to pick up on anything. Key locations were the castle ruins and the Common, where residual energy encountered was strong. Car parking is best in the Common Car Park.

***

SALTWOOD, Kent

There is a castle at Saltwood but its in private hands, so GHT investigated around the church and a nearby Country Park. The church was relatively quiet however the park produced spiritual links back to Roman times and a very angry and aggressive energy was also found to reside there. Parking in the village for the church but the Country Park has a large car park with facilities when open. Protection required.

****

STANTON, Suffolk

Second coldest location GHT has ever investigated, but well worth it. Spotted lying just off the A143 road when returning back from Burgh Castle vigil, Stanton Church is a ruin with an extensive graveyard. Of all the psychic links picked up on, the strongest was a Saxon period one which placed Stanton as being of some importance to the Abbey of Bury St Edmunds and also Peterborough. Parking difficult but not impossible.

***

SUTTON VALENCE, Kent

One of the smallest castles we have ever visited, this site was very much all residual activity and we had a lot of information linking it to its history in Norman times. Parking VERY difficult to almost impossible!

**

THAXTED, Essex

Thaxted is a small town but with grand ideas, its Guildhall is a timber frame masterpiece and the parish church is almost equal to many of our Cathedrals. A walkabout vigil produced results like a horse and coaches crash and various townsfolk and their daily lives and businesses. We also did the Guildhall which revealed a rich history and we tracked a spirit energy across one of the upper floors with an EMF meter until it went through a wall where a door used to be. Car Park very central.

****

THETFORD PRIORY, Norfolk

The priory here has seen much unrest, including a murder. In the 1980`s a ghost was spotted in the Priors Lodging walking down an invisible staircase by four students. We picked up on several notable monks but it was residual images of past events which proved to be very enlightening. Small car park at Priory.

***

TILBURY JUXTA CLARE, Essex

When the airfield was abandoned, modern roads were constructed on the perimeter road thus allowing us today to drive around a great deal of the site. Tilbury is well known for the sounds of phantom planes taking off, landing and in some cases crashing, all of this is replayed scene for scene up here. The nearby church also has some colourful residual energies. Car parking is easy all around the site and by the church.

****

TILTY ABBEY, Essex

The Headless Monk of Tilty is a well known Essex ghost tale, but it may have actually happened as a headless skeleton was dug up here in the 1950`s. Plenty of energies to communicate with ranging from monks to modern day. A nearby pillbox from WW2 was to prove to be the highlight with multiple contacts made here. Parking is by Tilty Church.

***

THURNHAM, Kent

Perched high up on the North Downs overlooking Maidstone, Thurnham is a somewhat forgotten place today, but it once had a very rich and varied history. GHT picked up on several energies of its past incumbents which we were then able to use to research the family that held it for many years. Parking possible in VERY SMALL 2car layby.

***

VENTNOR, I.O.W.

On the site of an old hospital, the Botanic Gardens seem unable to shake off the ghosts that haunt it, ranging from Doctors to nurses, up to residents and those who died there from the effects of things like TB. Ventnor holds the distinction of being only the second place that GHT has investigated that may hold a possible Elemental spirit. It likes to move about from tree to tree at speed and intimidate those who walk the garden late on organised ghost walks. GHT performed a ceremony to put this Elemental at rest. The site may have possible Roman links and maybe on top of an earlier Temple. Large car park at site is on the terrace the hospital once stood on. Recently, it seems the IOW Council has closed the car park at night. Protection required.

*****

WALTON ON THE NAZE, Essex

There are dark shadows and misty forms seen sometimes walking on the beach here. A town walkabout was interesting but there was too little information to act on. Several large central car parks with charges.

**

WEETING, Norfolk

More like a medieval hall than a castle. The site seems to be haunted by a spirit trapped in the 17th century icehouse built in one corner of the site, but the nastiest sighting here was a Black Dog which followed some GHT members around the moat and was announced by arriving in a rolling fog bank. This was quite possibly Black Shuck or a variant of him which is a frightening prospect! Parking in the lane leading to the site. Protection definitely required.

***

YESTERDAYS WORLD (BATTLE), Sussex

Investigated a couple of times by GHT and TPI, this wonderful collection of bygone memorabilia contained a reconstructed Victorian street scene and an exhibition on Queen Victoria. Ghosts included an angry monk possibly from the nearby Abbey, an arrogant man on the lower floor and an entity which was confused and angry by finding itself in strange surroundings - this had to be passed on due to issues it was causing to the staff and visitors. A WW1 display area gave residual links to times spent in the conflict through the eyes of a soldier stationed there. Sadly the attraction was forced to close and is no longer available, it future uncertain as are the contents and its spirits. Car Park is a fair walk away. Protection advised.

*****

YPRES TOWER (RYE), Sussex

Tiny castle which was part of the Rye town defences and later served as a Courthouse and Town Gaol. GHT has been very lucky to visit here three times and each time we have be amazed by the quality of the energies the building contains. In the basement is the spirit of a Norman knight, whilst we have several energies from the 17th and 18th centuries on the main floor, some of whom may have been tried in the courtroom above. The upper floor has a dominant spirit of a man who can be very aggressive and confrontational. We were also fortunate to have one of the volunteers, Paul, on hand both investigations who was able to comfirm upon anything the team picked up on and authenticate its validity. Parking can be in front of the castle as long as no private driveways are blocked, otherwise the main car park is by the railway station. Protection advised.

*****

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