DAYSOUT
AUTUMN IS THE OPTIMUM TIME FOR NATURE STROLLS, COSY FIRESIDE DINNERS AND STUNNING SCENERY – BUT, IT’ S ALSO KNOWN AS‘ SPOOKY SEASON’ FOR A REASON. WITH HALLOWEEN FALLING ON OCTOBER 31, THE COUNTY BECOMES A SPOOKTACULAR LOCATION FOR FAMILY FUN, GROWN-UP GHOSTLY ACTIVITIES AND SEASONAL THRILLS AND CHILLS. FROM BEING HOME TO ENGLAND’ S MOST HAUNTED VILLAGE TO PLAYING HOST TO ROYAL GHOSTS, KENT IS HOME TO MANY EERIE MYTHS AND LEGENDS. HERE, CHARLIE BOND EXPLORES THE COUNTY’ S MOST HAUNTED LOCATIONS, EXPLORING HOW YOU CAN VISIT THEM FOR YOURSELF, PERHAPS TO SPOT A SPOOKY SPECTRE OR TWO …
PLUCKLEY England’ s Most Haunted Village
The village of Pluckley, situated just five miles from Ashford, boasts the title of‘ England’ s most haunted village’ – and even has a Guinness World Record to prove it.
The village is alleged to have more than 12 ghosts, with sightings including a‘ red lady’ who haunts the churchyard and a highwayman who’ s seen on horseback before he inexplicably vanishes.
Pluckley’ s so famous for its eerie inhabitants, it’ s featured on episodes of a number of TV shows, making an appearance on everything from Most Haunted to Top Gear, where the presenters had to spend the night in the Screaming Woods filming a car review.
The village itself dates back to the Domesday Book, created in 1086. And, with almost 1,000 years of history, it’ s no surprise that there’ s plenty of spooky stories, myths and legends that have become part of Pluckley’ s past.
Halloween Event: Want to experience Pluckley’ s ghostly goings on for yourself? This Halloween, take part in one of the village’ s spooky ghost walks, where you’ ll learn all about the myths and legends that make this haunted spot so special. For those who like things extra eerie, there’ s the‘ extreme extended experience’, which is described as‘ an intense and often frightening walking tour’ – it’ s not for the faint hearted!
ST NICHOLAS CHURCH, PLUCKLEY www. insidekent. co. uk • 59