Although small, Lydiate Abbey near Liverpool, has its fair share of hauntings and is well worth a visit. Furthermore, it is a lovely old chapel that certainly has an ambience about it.
The bell tower of Lydiate Abbey
Ghosts of Lydiate Abbey
Firstly, legend has it that you can hear the cries of children and babies that were apparently offerings of sacrifice. Equally important is the fact that I cannot find any additional information to support this. Also, sometimes it only takes one person to claim something is true for rumours to begin.
In addition, there is a lost priest tunnel that leads from the chapel to the nearby ruins of Lydiate Hall. Also seen walking the grounds is a ghost of a monk and pilots from a WW2 plane crash. Again, I cannot find addition information to substantiate this.
You maybe wondering if I began sensing any hauntings during my visit?
The answer is no although these ruins will take you back in time to a medieval period.
The ruins of Lydiate Abbey
You will find Lydiate Abbey on Southport Road next to the beautiful Scotch Piper Inn. The inn dates back to 1320 and is one of the oldest inns in Lancashire.
It is also known as St Catherine’s Chapel and although not an abbey, it dates back to the 15th century. The Ireland family held the Lydiate lordship from 1410 to 1673 and the chapel was for their private worship. Extensive damage can be seen on the South Wall. Most likely, this is a result of the dissolution of abbeys by King Henry VIII or by the Civil War. Please visit the Friends of Lydiate Abbey for additional information.
Perhaps I should do some night time photography here. Would anyone like to join me?
If you are a fan of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, you simply must visit Whitby Abbey in North Yorkshire, and see it in all of its splendour.
Whitby Abbey print from Amanda Norman available for purchase
Ghosts of Whitby Abbey
As you know, I love finding out about hauntings of these magnificent ruins that I love to photograph.
The Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey have some fascinating ghosts haunting it. Unfortunately, I have not yet had the opportunity to be visiting in the evening. Nevertheless, during my visits in the daytime, I didn’t sense anything spooky. I was simply in awe of its grand elegance.
Firstly, I will begin with the ghost of a nun who was bricked up within the abbeys walls. Indeed, she was alive and her crime was breaking her vow of chastity. Furthermore, people can still hear her pleading for her release. Clearly this is a horrible way to die. Please visit Whitby Online for additional information.
Secondly, Whitby Abbey was founded by Saint Hilda. Of course, people are reportedly seeing her ghostly figure wrapped in a shroud peering out of a high window. Shame I didn’t capture her ghost on the photograph below isn’t it? Please visit Spooky Isles for additional information.
Inside view of Whitby Abbey photographed by Amanda Norman
Whitby itself is also an amazing place to visit as it is full of atmosphere with quirky shops. They sell the most beautiful of treasures. Therefore, each time I visit, I treat myself to some gorgeous Whitby jet jewellery. Indeed, me and my now husband Mark got engaged here. My engagement ring features a bat with a piece of Jet gemstone for its stomach. Furthermore, I always wear it for protection when providing tarot readings.
Whitby Jet Jewellery
Jet jewellery was fashionable with the Victorians who wore it as mourning jewellery. In addition, Jet’s healing properties are good for overcoming grief and depression following bereavement.
Whitby Jetis also black in colour. If you have knowledge about crystals and chakras, you will know that black can provides protection against negativity, and fears.
Rievaulx Abbey with the early morning mist surrounding it, is simply magical. Obviously, my creative senses were tingling with inspiration and I couldn’t wait to start photographing it. Moreover, these question were constantly in my mind.
What if anything, hides among these dark shadows?
What stories do these ruins hold and more importantly, what ghosts are present right now?
The ruins of Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire
This was once known as the most important Cistercian abbey in England until Henry VIII destroyed it in 1538.
Is Rievaulx Abbey Haunted?
When I was visiting the abbey, I did feel like I was being transported back to a very peaceful time. I will also admit to a feeling of someone watching me. Mind you, this could have been a villager as there are lovely cottages surrounding the ruins.
I’m referencing XYUandbeyond.com for their information on hauntings. You will definitely enjoy reading their article and hopefully you too will be inspired to visit.
People commonly report hearing the sounds of a heavenly choir
Also the sound of a bell ringing can be heard, although there has been no bell in over 400 years
Chanting sounds from monks fill the air at dusk
Again at dusk, a ghost of a monk is often seen. Don’t most places have apparitions of ghostly monks?
Visitors have feelings of overwhelming sadness
Ghostly happenings surround these ruins
Rievaulx Abbey stands very tall and when I took these photographs, I wanted viewers to feel the imposing power and importance that the abbey once held. At the time of our visit, I did not feel that the place was safe. Was I sensing the negative energy of its destruction?
I find it very therapeutic creating atmospheric images. Being creative is my form of therapy. I am 100% present in the moment when using my senses to create my work. My object is to provoke an array of emotions such as fear, dread, and peace. There also has to be an element of mystery and abandonment, where echoes of the past hauntingly remain.
Finally, I read that one Rievaulx abbot described his surroundings as ‘everywhere peace, everywhere serenity‘ and this is most certainly true.
Mysterious and spiritual places, whether they are landscapes or buildings, make great photography. This gallery showcases some of my favourite images from mainly the United Kingdom. From castles to ruins, there’s always a fairy-tale or ghost story to heighten our senses.
The first picture within the gallery above, is the rock cut graves from a place called the Barrows in Heysham. As a young girl, this was a place I would often visit on my own. Heysham is where I grew up and I miss not being next to the coast.
These graves sits high upon the rocky headland behind St. Peter’s Church in Heysham Village. In addition, I do have a lot of ancestors who are resting within the churchyard of St. Peter. It’s also the church that as a pupil of St. Peter’s School, I attended on special occasions.
Could it be that these rock cut graves sit on a ley line?
I ask this question purely because it is a place where I feel totally at one with myself.
Amanda’s graveyard gallery features some of her favourite photography of all time. The graveyards she visits contain a balance of both life and death, sorrow and peace. Exploring Amanda’s photography also allows you to explore the delicate need to strive for balance of mind, body, and soul. Indeed, Amanda’s life has come full circle as she now concentrates on her spiritual journey to find her peace in a sometimes dark world.
Gallery of Graveyards
Slane Hill Abbey in Ireland
Daresbury Graveyard
Memento Mori headstone within St. Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh
Graves under a tree
Rock cut graves
Graveyard in Heysham Village
When you explore the duality of life, you will no longer feel fenced in
I quickly began learning the difference between a snapshot, and an emotive image. Thus I remember feeling deflated that my images didn’t express my fondness for that special graveyard in Heysham. Exploring my Shadows of Heysham will explain my experience in more detail.
Amanda Norman
Find out more about Amanda by visiting her About Amanda page. Alternatively, should you wish to meet her in person, she sells her photography and provides tarot readings from her Gemstone and Tarot shop in Liverpool.
Vampires from the UK is my collection of fascinating and supposedly true accounts of British vampires. Who knew that there were so many from the British Isles?
Vampires from the UK
Vampires from the UK
Let’s begin by introducing you to some of the most fascinating vampires from the UK. Over time, I will be building upon these wonderful tales here. Therefore, if you have any tales to share, please get in touch. I have provided further reference below each case.
The Vampire of Alnwick Castle – (Northumberland)
This incident dating back to the 12th century is one of my favourite vampires from the UK. The English chronicler William of Newburgh is responsible for recording it.
One night while spying on his adulterous wife, the former ‘Lord of the Estate‘ slipped from the roof. Unfortunately, he did not survive. Following a Christian burial, reports began circulating that the previous Lord has risen from his grave. These reports were coinciding with the spread of a nasty plague. Of course, his victims were suffering from this deadly disease. However, in those days due to a lack of knowledge, they presumed that he was now a vampire.
The once populated town was now nearly empty and some of the remaining villagers decided to take a stance. They dug up the vampire from his shallow grave within the cemetery to find the decomposing body. They pierced the bloated body and blood poured everywhere. Subsequently, the villagers began believing that indeed, he is a vampire. Terrified, they burned the body and by co-incidence, the plague and deaths stopped. (Reference – The Vampire Encyclopedia by Matthew Bunson)
The Vampire of Berwick
Thanks to William of Newburgh who once again records the case of the wandering un-dead in the town of Berwick.
This tale is very similar to the Vampire of Alnwick Castle. It begins with an evil man dying and soon after burial, people witness him walking amongst the living. The townsfolk fearing the onset of a plague, dig up the dead man and cut his body to pieces. (Reference – The Vampire Encyclopedia by Matthew Bunson)
Buckinghamshire Vampires of the UK
Again recorded by William of Newburgh and reported to have happened in 1196.
I absolutely adore this supposedly true account of a vampire being pathetic and weak. You kind of want to feel sorry for him don’t you?
Due to his weakness, this vampire tries to abuse his wife and family and gets absolutely nowhere. Subsequently, he then abuses nearby animals. More importantly, it is during daylight hours that villagers are witnessing this. Following these reports, the local bishop places an absolution on the corpse instead of burning it.
Vampire of Croglin Grange – Cumbria
Many years ago, Croglin Lower Hall, in Cumbria was inhabited by two brothers and their sister Amelia. (In some versions she is Anne).
Gothic Window
One night as Amelia is preparing to sleep she is aware of a sensation of someone watching her. She glances through her window and sees a pair of evil eyes glittering from the darkness of some trees. To begin with, she puts it down to her imagination. However, when she looks again, she sees a grisly figure making its way across the lawn to her. Transfixed with fear, she watches it pressing up against her window. It begins picking away the lead with its bony finger.
Too afraid to scream, she sees how hideous this vampire is with its shrivelled flesh and huge malevolent eyes.
It begins lifting the latch on her window and siezes the girl by her hair. While sinking its teeth into her throat, she now screams and the vampire flees. Unfortunately, it vanishes by the time her brothers arrive to save her.
Some nights later, Amelia awakens to a familiar scratching at the window, and sure enough the Vampire has returned. Her shrieks bring the brothers back into her room in time to see the direction in which the creature flees.
They track it to the local cemetery. They mark the tomb and return at daylight, whereupon they open the grave and burn the vampire to ashes. (Reference – Vampire Forum by DestinyDefiled)
William of Newburgh records yet another tale of vampire hysteria in the UK.
The Hundeprest Vampire of Melrose Abbey
When living, this vampire was the chaplain to a lady of high rank. His nickname was Hundeprest which meant Dog Priest due to his horse hunting activities.
Vampire of Melrose Abbey
Shortly after his death, people begin witnessing him trying to gain entry into Melrose Abbey.
One night however, he appears at the bed of his former employee shrieking and moaning. She summons a senior member of Melrose Abbey who proceeds to hunt down the vampire. From his post, he watches this vampire rise from its grave and manages to ward off the vampires attacks. The following morning, they open the vampires coffin to reveal a corpse covered in black blood. They take the vampire outside the grounds of the abbey and burn it.
Vampires of the UK from Liverpool
I am also aware of another vampire in Liverpool who haunts Huskisson Street. It supposedly rests in St James Gardens and you can read more in my post titled, The Ghosts of Huskisson Street. In addition, there are also accounts of another vampire from Smithdown Road cemetery in Liverpool. When I have further information, I shall include them here.
