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I love the English Cotswolds and think everyone should visit this beautiful place at least once in their lifetime. Having lived all over the world and traveled as much as possible, I still think that this little part of England is one of the world's greatest treasures. This site is dedicated to helping spread the word and encourage sustainable travel to the Cotswolds.

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Thursday 22 October 2009

Prestbury: The Most Haunted Village in England

Any tour of haunted Gloucestershire must begin at this village on the northern outskirts of Cheltenham, close to the world-famous Prestbury Park racecourse.

More than two dozen spirits are said to haunt its streets, the most famous being the Black Abbot, who is regularly seen in the church and churchyard and occasionally in other spots including the High Street.


Photographer Derek Stafford, who was taking pictures in the floodlit churchyard in November 1990, found a hooded figure on his last slide (the photo in this posting is the actual photo).

The Black Abbot's ghostly wanderings traditionally occur on three church festivals - Christmas, Easter and All Saints' Day.

During road works some years ago a skeleton was found with an arrow between the ribs.Several ghostly horsemen have been heard and seen in Shaw Green Lane and the Burgage - one reputedly a medieval rider heading to Edward IV's camp at Tewkesbury during the Wars of the Roses who was killed by an archer, another a cavalier who was killed by a rope across the road during the Civil War and another a knight in armour.


The ghost of a young girl has been seen in the garden of the Prestbury House Hotel, which is also said to be haunted by the sound of horse's hooves.

A white lady and several shades of old women have been reported at various locations around the village.Sundial Cottage in the Burgage is haunted by a girl playing a spinet - her ghost used to be seen but faint music is still occasionally heard.


A spectral shepherd and his herd have been seen in Swindon Lane and visitors to Cleeve Corner near the church have reported waking up feeling as if they are being strangled.
Research found that a bride was once murdered in her bed there.



Visitor information: Prestbury is on the northern outskirts of Cheltenham. For details of ghost walks call Cheltenham Tourist Information Centre, 77 Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1PJ
Tel: +44 01242 522878


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