Spooky tales from the Jurassic Coast

Considering how old the Jurassic Coast is, it’s hardly surprising that there are generations worth of stories to discover. Some of those stories are just down right spooky, which makes this the perfect time to delve into some of the Jurassic Coast’s ghosts and ghouls.

Enjoy a spine-tingling Halloween with these spooky tales from around the Jurassic Coast.

The spirits of Durdle Door

Perhaps one of the most interesting and beautiful places along the Jurassic Coast, Durdle Door is a popular and well loved location near Lulworth, but did you know it is the scene of several hauntings?

Firstly, we have reports of young girls who dance on the shore before disappearing that are thought to be the spirits of maids who fled a fire at Lulworth Castle in the 1920s. Another spirit that is reported is that of a man who stands on the beach, studies a map and then vanishes. Some think this could even be the spirit of Napoleon!

The smelly lady of Weymouth

You don’t just have to see it to believe it with these ghosts – especially if this story is true! There have been reports of a ghost of an old woman who likes to wander the promenade in Weymouth who brings a lingering smell of death with her. Look out though, if you catch a whiff of her, it might foretell your own death.

The Grey Lady of Lulworth

While we’re talking about the fire at Lulworth Castle, while evacuating people from the building, a fire fighter heard cries from one of the tower windows and saw a lady in distress there. However it later transpired that no one was in the tower and that the most likely culprit was the Grey Lady, a phantom who is said to have haunted the castle for centuries.

The soldier in the woods

Thorncombe Woods near Dorchester are said to be haunted by the figure of a Roman soldier. He is often seen standing on the site of a former Roman road which linked Dorchester to Bradbury Rings.

The ghost village of Tyneham

This one is less haunted and more haunting. In 1943, Prime Minister Winston Churchill ordered the villagers of Tyneham to evacuate and repurposed the village as a training ground for soldiers with the promise that they could return home once the war was over. However, to this day, the village remains empty and looking exactly as it did in 1943 which gives it a wonderfully spooky atmosphere. You can visit the village – but be aware, it is still used for military training, so there are times when it is off limits to the public.

Do you have any spooky stories from the Jurassic Coast? Get in touch with us!