Valley of death
Woodchester Mansion, a Victorian Gothic building near Stroud, is one of the most haunted places in the UK. The present structure was built on the site of a much earlier one, called Spring Park. It’s unfinished, – in 1868, though terrified workmen downed tools and refused to return. This valley has seen thousands of years of ghastly history. Ghostly Roman legionaries have been spotted in the surrounding woods. A phantom monk, said to have killed himself in the middle ages, wanders desolately around, and his coffin has been seen, floating over the lake. More recently, the mercenary soldier, Sir Rupert de Lansigny killed his cousin to gain control of the estate, and his spirit is condemned to wander the grounds for eternity. A demonic entity hangs out in the cellars and appears as a ragged dwarf, and other strange sounds have been noticed by visitors. During World War II, the site was being used by US troops training for D Day when tragedy struck. A pontoon bridge collapsed, drowning 20 GIS in the lake. People have heard swing music as the GIS party on. Fancy a dance? Visit stroudcommunity.tv/ ghosts-of-woodchester-mansion