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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.
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The
Black Abbot's ghostly wanderings traditionally occur on three church
festivals - Christmas, Easter and All Saints' Day.
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A
black abbot haunts the church and churchyard in Prestbury
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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.
During
road works some years ago a skeleton was found with an arrow between
the ribs.
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.
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A
ghostly young girl has been seen in the garden at Presbury
House Hotel
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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
white lady and several shades of old women have been reported at
various locations around the village.
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: 01242 522878
If
YOU have had a close encounter with a Gloucestershire apparition,
we want to hear about it! Just click on the link below to tell us
your spinetingling tale.
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