Nestled in the countryside, just an hour’s drive from London, lies the quaint village of Pluckley.
At first sight, it seems like any other peaceful hamlet, but dig a little deeper and you’ll discover a chilling history filled with tales of murder, ghostly sightings, and even legends of a forest filled with the cries of those left behind.
Pluckley holds the spine-tingling title of being one of Britain’s most haunted spots, as declared by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989.
The village’s history spans centuries – it and its surrounding woodland are even mentioned in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England from 1066 commissioned by King William the Conqueror.
Given such a lengthy and rich past, it’s easy to imagine the grim fates many must have met over the years. Several of the spirits said to wander the town are believed to be connected to the Dering family, who were the Lords of the Manor from the 15th century until the First World War.
The Church of Saint Nicholas is the first location reported to be haunted by the ghosts of the Dering family, with visitors claiming to have seen strange lights and heard knocking sounds coming from beneath the chapel floor where several family members are buried.
Another ghost linked to this family is the woman who allegedly haunts Rose Court.
The story goes that Rose Court was built by a family member to house his mistress – the unfortunate woman. However, she fell in love with a local monk and would spend her days gazing across the fields towards his residence, Greystones.
Overwhelmed by the love triangle she found herself in, she tragically ended her own life with poison. When discovered, she was still looking towards Greystones.
Today, it’s said that an eerie atmosphere surrounds Rose Court, with sighs and moans often heard echoing through the night.
But it’s not just her spirit that haunts the village – the ghost of the monk she loved is also said to roam through Greystones, having died of a broken heart.
His ghostly figure, dressed in brown, is reportedly seen around the building before disappearing into thin air.
Another haunting linked to the Dering family is at the Dering Arms – an old pub on the estate.
It’s rumoured to be haunted by a 19th-century woman who sits at a table inside the pub with a drink.
She has been seen by numerous patrons, and her apparition is so vivid, she’s even been mistaken for a living customer.
Pluckley is home to some truly macabre ghost stories, including the tale of the Watercress Lady. This quirky character used to sell watercress by the roadside and was known for her fondness for gin.
One fateful day, she dozed off with a lit clay pipe, igniting her alcohol-drenched clothes. It’s believed that her tormented screams can still be heard today, accompanied by a faint pink glow at the spot where she met her fiery demise.
Another unfortunate individual met his end at the Brickworks, crushed by a collapsing wall of clay. Visitors claim they can still hear his chilling cries of pain.
Fright Corner lives up to its name with the ghost of a highwayman who was impaled with swords following a chase across the fields.
Legend suggests that this final battle is replayed repeatedly, while some report seeing the body of the highwayman slumped against the phantom tree under which he died.
Lastly, the village is home to the terrifying Screaming Wood, officially known as Dering Woods.
These ancient woods, referenced in the Domesday Book, have likely witnessed countless deaths within their shadowy depths.
Visitors to the woods have reportedly been petrified by a sudden, piercing scream coming from deep within the forest.
The shriek is said to be so loud that it sends birds flying from the trees.