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 the home to one of the
area's 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 attempting 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...