The South Downs has centuries of superstitions, folklore and ghostly tales that have been passed down the generations.
Here are a selection of some paranormal sightings and village legends to let your imaginations run wild this Halloween!
The Running Hound
Location: Alfriston – Between the Downs and Town Fields
Date / Time: Full Moon (reoccurring)
A large black dog is said to run from the Downs to Town Fields – here it stares over a flint wall before retreating the way it came.
Little Fairy Folk
Location: Alfriston – Burlough (or Burlow) Castle
Date / Time: Pre-20th century
Fairies once made their home here and rewarded a local man with food after he helped one of their kind repair a kitchen utensil.
The Ghost Bear
Location: Fernhurst – Ruins of Verdley Castle
Date / Time: 25 December (reoccurring)
This is said to be the location where the last wild bear in England was killed; the creature’s ghost now returns in protest.
Jane Seymour
Location: Owslebury – Marwell Hall
Date / Time: Unknown
The Seymour family once owned this property, and Jane is thought to haunt the surrounding grounds. The shade of Anne Boleyn has also been reported loitering near a row of nearby yew trees.
Petersfield Poltergeist
Location: Petersfield – former Green Dragon public house
Date / Time: 1950s
This pub was haunted by strange sounds, including marble playing, running, and banging. Several witnesses watched a jug swinging on a hook with no obvious means of motion.
To find out some of the spookiest spots in the South Downs click here.