Woodcroft Castle
Built in the 13th century as a fortified manor
house, Woodcroft Castle is today a private house (not open to
the public). It is also home to one of the areas' most
gruesome and well-known ghosts, said to be the ghost of Dr. Michael
Hudson, the owner of the house at the time of the Civil War.
When the castle was stormed by Roundhead
soldiers in June 1648, Dr Hudson attempted to escape by dangling
from the ramparts. He was found by Roundhead soldiers who cut off
his hands, causing him to plunge into the moat below. On being
dragged out of the moat by the vengeful soldiers, Dr Hudson was
disembowelled and had his tongue ripped out.
It is said Dr Hudson's gruesome death is
annually re-enacted in spectral form, whilst his ghostly
screams have often been heard by witnesses. There are other ghosts
said to lurk in the castle, but it is Dr. Hudson's tragic story
that captures the imagination and chills the blood...
Many of Peterborough’s most popular cultural and sporting
facilities are part of Vivacity, an independent,
not-for-profit organisation with charitable status.
Find out more about
the trust on the Vivacity website.