Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, there’s no denying there have been some strange sightings made in northern Lincolnshire.
Dating back to the 17th century, people in Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Scunthorpe and their surrounding areas have been recording the unusual goings on they happen to come across.
The Paranormal Database has been keeping track of them alongside all the other strange sightings made by ordinary people across England.
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Here’s a list of the most unusual sightings made in northern Lincolnshire and the surrounding areas:
‘ Unearthly cries’
Location: Church of St Helen’s, Barnoldby le Beck
Date: Unknown
Although not much is known about this apparent happening, it is said a ‘black dog the size of a donkey’ was spotted near Church of St Helen’s in Barnoldby le Beck.
The Paranormal Database states: “This entity was said to let loose the most unearthly cries.”
A visit from the Devil
Location: Barton-upon-Humber
Date: 19th Century
According to the Paranormal Database, the Devil made occasional visits to Barton-upon-Humber. He reportedly appear in the form of a “rough-looking horse”.
Searching for lost treasure
Location: Beelsby
Date: Unknown
There is buried treasure in an unnamed field in Beelsby, according to legend.
The Paranormal Database states: “Two fairy-like entities wearing red caps are said to occasionally appear, searching for the hoard.”
‘Arms waving wildly in the air’
Location: RAF Binbrook
Date: 20th Century
An Australian worker is said to be haunting RAF Binbrook.
According to legend, he died when trying to sabotage a Lancaster bomber during the Second World War.
The Paranormal Database states: “A ghostly NCO also made a comeback at the former base.
“Sergeant Sinclair managed the loading of aircraft bombs during the Second World War; a mistake caused a bomber to explode on take-off, killing Sinclair while he was trying to flag the aircraft down to alert them to the error.
“For a short while his ghost was seen on the runway, arms waving wildly in the air.”
Black Lady of Bradley Woods
Location: Bradley Woods, Grimsby
Date: Reoccurring
It’s said that on Christmas Eve, people who shout “Black Lady, Black Lady, I’ve stolen your baby” three times in Bradley Woods will see the Black Lady appear to them to take back her child.
The Paranormal Database states: “Said by some to be a phantom nun and by others to be a woodsman’s wife, local legend says this woman dressed in black will appear on Christmas Eve if one calls out ‘Black Lady, Black Lady, I’ve stolen your baby.”
Click here to read more about the Black Lady of Bradley Woods
Phantom white calf
Location: Between Brigg and Wrawby
Date: Unknown
A phantom white calf, known as the Lackey Causey calf, reportedly emerges from a tunnel near Brigg and Wrawby.
Sometimes reported as headless, the calf tries to lure people into the water. However, it is said the creature’s entrance may no longer exist.
Spooky shoe shop
Location: Brigg
Date: 1990 to 2000
A former shoe shop in Brigg is said to be haunted by spirits who do not like to be disturbed.
According to the Paranormal Database, staff members said ‘spirits’ would throw shoes at them and they “felt the sensation of being pushed while on the staircase”.
Lost lady at Christmas
Location: Brigg
Date: Reoccurring
Every year on December 24, an old lady reportedly wanders the streets of Brigg begging for money so she can buy her Christmas dinner.
According to legend, she became lost in the snow and fog and froze to death before Christmas Day.
The Paranormal Database states: “Her ghost is sometimes seen, asking for directions home.”
Petrified sack of corn
Location: Fonaby Top, Caistor
Date: Still present
The Paranormal Database states: “The large rock on top of the hill was once a sack of corn owned by a selfish farmer.
“The farmer refused to give a handful of grain to a passing holy man, who turned the sack into stone as punishment.
“A curse is said to fall on anyone who tries to move the stone – this was experienced by Gentleman John Walls, who used four shire horses to move the rock to his front door at Corn Sack Farm after taking a liking to it.
“Misfortune soon befell him, and he moved it back soon after (only requiring one horse for the return trip).”
Ghost of Wonderland
Location: Wonderland, Cleethorpes
Date: 1980s
According to legend, a man is said to be haunting the former Wonderland site in Cleethorpes.
The Paranormal Database states: “Though non-threatening, the ghost would vanish into thin air when spotted.
“Some workers and visitors to the site would hear their name being called, though no one else would be around.
“A local legend said that someone had once hanged himself in the ghost train that once stood on the site, and it was speculated that the entity was connected to the suicide.”
Footsteps in an empty corridor
Location: The Knoll, Cleethorpes
Date: November 2011
Staff have reportedly heard footsteps walking along empty corridors in The Knoll, Cleethorpes.
There have also been reports of doors closing when none of them were open to start with.
The Paranormal Database states: “A local legend says the location is home of a phantom woman who floats in the air.”
The iron pot
Location: East Halton
Date: 19th Century
The Paranormal Database states: “A ghost, thought to possibly be a monk, was laid in an iron pot contained within the small basement.
“Household members considered it unlucky to move the container, and its removal would result in the ghost returning.”
Thomas de Gretham
Location: East Halton
Date: Unknown
According to antiquarian William Stukeley, an abbot’s remains were discovered in 1722, in a dungeon in the northern Lincolnshire abbey.
He states a skeleton was discovered “seated at a table with a book and candlestick before him”.
According to legend, the remains belong to Thomas de Gretham, who secretly practiced the Black Arts, otherwise known as witchcraft.
In the years after, and up until now, people have reported sighting a “mysterious figure” lurking around the grounds – especially near the abbey’s gatehouse.
The Paranormal Database states: “For the crime of witchcraft, the Abbot Gretham was bricked up alive in the dungeons.
“He has been seen in the ruins of the abbey and gazing out from the gatehouse.”
Mysterious Morse Code
Location: Elsham Wold
Date: 1940s to 1950s
A family living near the former RAF base at Elsham Wold reportedly heard Morse Code messages being tapped out after the Second World War.
Other sightings of pilots dressed in flying gear and a large aeroplane taking off from the disused runway, baring the code letters PM, have also been made.
The Poltergeist
Location: Epworth Rectory
Date: December 1716 to January 1717
The Paranormal Database states: “This building experienced phantom groaning, knocking, and invisible hands that pushed people around.
“Unlike most poltergeist cases, the entity also manifested in the form of a white figure and a headless badger. The presence left without warning.”
Chimney ghost
Location: Choof Cottage, Grimsby (no longer standing)
Date: 18th Century
An angry spirit is said to have commanded people to kill their loved ones through “whispers”. The spirit was blamed for an accident in the college that resulted in several deaths.
Airman with hand grenade
Location: Former RAF Waltham (aka RAF Grimsby), Grimsby
Date: 1982
The Paranormal Database states: “Several former pilots walk this old RAF base, both along the aging airstrips and the perimeter road.
“One of the ghosts that has chosen the perimeter to haunt is said to have blown himself up with a grenade after being declared unfit to fly.
“Another spirit has appeared by the memorial laid for the Number 100 squadron.”
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Abduction at Tetney Lock
Location: Tetney Lock
Date: March 2000
A woman was reported being abducted by an alien aircraft at Tetney Lock.
According to the reports, she watched a “male human vivisected while she was on board the alien craft”.
The Paranormal Database states: “Later the same day, several witnesses reported lights and strange shapes in the sky.”
Victorian cyclist
Location: Louth
Date: 2004
The Paranormal Database states: “A couple returning home from holiday reported seeing a man dressed in Victorian clothing cycling in the middle of the road. The figure vanished as they drove towards him.”
Black Watch Soldier
Location: Hubbards Hills, Louth
Date: 2005
The Black Watch Soldier, wearing a First World War uniform, is said to call a certain hill at Hubbards Hills his home.
According to legend, he is a Scottish man who married a local woman who he met on the hill.
White cylinder
Location: Cemetery Road, Scunthorpe
Date: Mid to late 20th Century
The Paranormal Database states: “A cyclist was terrified by a tall white cylindrical shape which crossed the road in front of him before vanishing.”
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Vanishing girl
Location: Near Keadby Bridge, Scunthorpe
Date: 2001
According to the Paranormal Database, a taxi driver picked up a young girl who asked to be dropped off at a nearby football ground.
As he reached the destination, she reportedly vanished into thin air before the taxi came to a stop.
Protective dog
Location: Scunthorpe
Date: 1900s
The Paranormal Database states: “This guardian dog appeared by the side of a woman, preventing a gang of labourers from attacking her. It vanished as she reached home.”
