The Ghosts and Legends of Kent

Kent has famously been known throughout history as 'the garden of England', yet underneath the peaceful exterior lies a whole world of mystery. From ghosts to UFO sightings and famous murders, Kent has had its fair share of unexplained events.

Reculver

Reculver is a popular summer resort located in the north of Kent. Two of its main attractions are the remains of a Roman fort as well as a famous ruined medieval church. There have been many strange experiences around the ruined church, including the sounds of whimpering children.

After the sounds were reported, the skeletons of babies were found under the foundations of the Roman fort at a dig in 1966. It is thought they may have been used as sacrifices for the church around 200 AD.

The Ghosts of Dover Castle

Whilst many castles are said to be haunted, Dover castle is quite unique in the number of reports from its visitors that back up this claim. A whole host of ghosts are said to haunt the tunnels and rooms at the castle, and visitors come from afar in the hope of catching one of them on film.

Around the west stairwell of the castle a woman has frequently been seen wearing a long red dress and wandering the halls accompanied by the distinct sound of sobbing. The lower half of a man has also been spotted around the King's bedroom, as well as crossing the doorway. Though this figure has been seen on numerous occasions, it is not known who he could be and why only his lower half is visible.

Perhaps most famous of all the ghosts of Dover castle is the headless drummer. This drummer is thought to be a fifteen-year-old named Sean who was ambushed whilst carrying a large amount of money, where his head taken off by a sword in the process.

Medium Derek Acorah from the television program Most Haunted supposedly got in contact with Sean and helped him find peace. The drumming has not been heard at all since then.

Biddenden Maids

The Biddenden Maids, named due to the fact they were from the village of Biddenden near Staplehurst, are one of the most famous cases of conjoined twins in the Middle Ages. Born in 1100 to a wealthy family, they soon gained a reputation for their philanthropy.

Today, every year Biddenden is home to the traditional custom of the Biddenden Maids' Charity held on Easter Monday each year. Tea, cheese and bread are given out to local widows, along with famous Biddenden cakes – many of which have been said to bear a strange effigy of the twins as an image of two figures joined at the hips and shoulders.

The Black Dog of Leeds Castle

A phantom dog has regularly been spotted at Leeds Castle in Kent. This black dog was first seen after the execution of King Henry VI's aunt, who was accused of treason, heresy and witchcraft. The Black Dog was given a description before WWI as 'a curly-haired retriever' who would appear and disappear within moments.

One member of the family who owned the castle at the time of these sightings claimed the dog had saved her life, by rousing her curiosity and causing her to leave an area of the room which collapsed moments after she moved. Perhaps this is why the Black Dog is famously known as an omen of death and disaster.

The Ship in the Sky

A strange event was recorded in Clorea, Ireland in the year 1211 AD. Gervase of Tilbury noted that during the Sunday Mass, a mysterious anchor suddenly dropped from the sky, hooking itself to the door of the church. A man swam down the anchor to release it, and subsequently swam back up.

Whilst this event took place in Ireland, the story has also been told of many other locations including Gravesend in Kent – all in the same year.

Bayham Old Abbey

Bayham abbey was created in 1207, as a union of two monastic sites at Otham and Brockley. Since it lay on the border of Kent and Sussex, it had a gate in each county. However, it suffered after Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries and was sold by Elizabeth I after her ascension to the throne.

Today Bayham abbey is owned by English Heritage, though it is still haunted by a group of white monks. They chant and ring the bells from time to time, and many have smelled the fragrance of incense around the area.

Haunted Canterbury Cathedral

The history of Canterbury cathedral is rich and famous around the world. Not only is this cathedral haunted by ghosts, but it has been home to many great events of history. It is famously known as the site where Thomas Becket was killed by knights sent by Henry II in 1170. It is still possible to see the very spot of his murder.

However, the ghosts that haunt Canterbury cathedral are unrelated to Becket's bloody murder. The ghost of another Archbishop, Simon Sudbury, is said to roam the Cathedral. He too was murdered in 1381, and his body and head were buried separately though his ghost has both a head and body.

One of the most well-known ghosts of the cathedral is Nell Cook, who was once a servant there. She poisoned her employer upon discovery that he was having an affair, which killed both the man and his lover. This act led to Nell being buried alive under the passage known as the Dark Entry.

It is now thought that Nell's ghost haunts that passageway, and she is often spotted after darkness on Friday evenings. Those who are unfortunate enough to spot the ghost are said to perish not long after.

The Legends of Canterbury Cathedral

As well as its haunting, Canterbury cathedral has had its share of legends too. The most famous of these is perhaps the first Archbishop of Canterbury, Saint Augustine. Several other famous national figures became saints at Canterbury, including Thomas, Oda and Alphege.