The spookiest time of the year is nearly here, so what better time to contemplate the Blackmore Vale’s creepiest places – where grey ladies and ghostly hounds roam, and mysterious mists and unexplainable events occur. We can’t claim to have listed them all – but here are a few tales to chill the blood…
by Faith Eckersall.

Folke Church
A funny thing is said to have happened when they started building Folke church in Broke Wood. It was claimed that each night, the work was disturbed, with materials and building stones being moved to another location – where the church stands now. Who was the culprit? Some claim it was the fairies, others say it was Old Nick himself, attempting to prevent the building of the church that now stands proudly in the village. There is a similar legend about Lewcombe Church, too.

Tarrant Gunville
In 1845, workmen involved in the demolition and re-building of Tarrant Gunville church were shocked to discover that a body buried many decades before had barely decomposed. Creepier still, it had a healthy complexion and was also said to have two sharp, ‘vampire’ teeth…
Add to this the fact that the cadaver was believed to be of William Doggett, the notorious and corrupt former steward of Eastbury House – he flogged off parts of the building for cash before shooting himself when the owner returned – and the legend started to build.
Allegations of nocturnal horror were bandied about, and stories began to emerge of Doggett’s ghost loitering near the house’s gates, awaiting a phantom carriage and horsemen, who return him to the house to re-enact his suicide.
Following the discovery of the body in the church, it was reported as being dealt with in ‘the accepted way’ and the Tarrant Gunville Vampire was (allegedly) no more.

Tarrant Gunville by Trish Steel

Blandford Forum
As befits such an historic town, Blandford Forum is positively packed with phantoms.
A Woman in White supposedly haunts the town’s Barracks (she was alleged to be a nurse who had been raped and killed in the area), whereas a Lady in Black and a highwayman shot dead in a robbery in its courtyard are said to haunt the Crown Hotel.
There is also a ghost rumoured to haunt the Bridge over the River Stour, near The Crown, as well as a phantom dog.

Blandford Forum by Ken Grainger

Holford
The Plough Inn proudly proclaims that Virginia and Leonard Woolf spent part of their honeymoon, in the pub. But did they know about the ghost who is reputed to haunt the place? Affectionately known as Roberto, the cloaked apparition is said to be a Spanish merchantman who was fatally robbed by locals, who believed he possessed a hoard of gold. His ghost is claimed to appear on the location of the staircase where he was killed.

Holford The Plough Inn by Mike Faherty

Pimperne
For a small place, Pimperne certainly packs a spooky punch. The road between the village and Letton Hill is said to be haunted by a phantom hound, who runs by, accompanied by the sound of dragging chains. Meanwhile, a ghostly hand is said to crawl around the village churchyard, searching vainly for its owner. The hand is said to have belonged to a trumpeter and poacher called Blandford, who lost the body part in a fight. Blandford’s hand was buried in Pimperne churchyard but Blandford is thought to have been buried in London.

Pimperne by Mike Searle

Wincanton
The highly-regarded Uncle Tom’s Cabin Pub is said to be the oldest in Wincanton and is also famous because fantasy novelist and Discworld creator, Sir Terry Pratchett, used to enjoy a drink there. It’s also reputed to be haunted by several spirits, including one of a little girl, who is said to have appeared in a photograph, and whose giggles can be heard. The manifestation was the subject of a 2019 episode of Help! My House is Haunted.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Wincaton by Fernweh

Shaftesbury
Proud home to the Grosvenor Hotel, said to be the fifth most haunted place in the UK, this historic town is a reportedly also home to a whole slew of spooks, apparitions and unexplainable phenomena.
According to reports, the Grosvenor Hotel is said to be haunted by the ghost of a naughty child, who pulls at guests’ bedding, as well as a monk, who is alleged to have been seen in the cellar, and a Grey Lady, thought to be a former nun.
A ghostly monk is said to haunt Shaftesbury Abbey – he is said to be the guardian of a lost treasure trove, and the ghost of King Edward is rumoured to haunt the ruins at night. Meanwhile, on Gold Hill, the ghosts of two men, leading the body of Edward the Martyr on a cart, has been reported. The route is said to be the one taken by the body of the murdered King, to his burial.

Grosvenor Hotel, Shaftesbury by Jonathan Hutchins

Melbury Osmond
The childhood village of Thomas Hardy’s mother, Melbury Osmond has quite a few legends associated with it. It’s been claimed that words engraved in the church imply that by simply visiting, you will enter heaven 120 days more quickly than normal, although evidence of this is hard to find. St Osmond’s church also displays a carving of Abraham’s ram, caught in a thicket, and a barn in the village is said to be haunted by a White Lady. The village was also home to the horrific-looking Dorset Ooser, a grotesque mask of a human face with horns emerging from its head, said to have been used in May Day rituals. A copy of this artefact lives in Dorset museum – the original, which was in possession of Thomas Cave of Holt Farm, mysteriously disappeared, around 1897.
Nearby Melbury Bubb is also said to be haunted – by the ghost of Farmer Baker, who was murdered on Bubdown Hill. Legend has it that the spirit of the unfortunate victim can be seen every 10 November – the anniversary of his demise – when he appears, driving a horse and cart. Those who venture into the tiny village’s church will also find a little mystery too; the font there is carved with animals – all hanging upside down…

Melbury Osmond by Chris Downer

Sherborne
Every St Michael’s Eve, on 28 September, the tragic ghost of Sir Walter Raleigh is said to appear at Sherborne Castle and wander the grounds. Other apparitions in the area include a ghostly child as well as hunting horses.

Sherborne Castle by Mike Searle