Corby is rich in stories, legends and paranormal tales that have been whispered about for centuries.
You may know about its industrial heritage with its tales of Danish invaders and appearance in the Domesday Book (if you don’t, get to know by reading our history page here!).
But, have you heard of the fascinating tapestry of folklore and paranormal stories that exist in Corby?
The town’s past is steeped in myth and mystery. In this blog, we are delving into some of the intriguing and unnerving tales that have been passed down through generations.
Robin Hood in Corby?
One intriguing historical connection to Corby involves the legendary Robin Hood.
While not our Sherwood Forest icon, records do show that a man named Robyn Hood was imprisoned in the magnificent Rockingham Castle in 1354.
More evidence of a Robin Hood figure can be found in Dryden’s Memorials of Old Northamptonshire (1903). A boundary stone near Brigstock, known as the Bocase Stone, is said to mark the spot where Robin Hood hid his bow and arrows after a legendary encounter with Sir Hugh de Hanville.
Read more on this local lore here.
The most haunted site in Northamptonshire
Brace yourselves for this one. It’s paranormal so read at your own risk…
Not technically in Corby, but not far from us either, Boughton is a chocolate-boxy village with a terrifying secret. The picturesque ruins overlook a sloping churchyard dating back to the 14th century, rife with layers of history and folklore. Standing as a haunting reminder of the past, some avoid visiting due to its terrifying ghost stories.
According to The Ghost Book:
Around two hundred years ago, a young couple had been married only a few hours when the groom dropped dead. Grief stricken and unable to live without her love, the young lady ended her own life next to her husband’s grave.
And it continues:
Following on from the tale of the doomed newly weds, the most famous ghost is said to be that of a beautiful red-haired woman. She entices male passersby, and asks for a kiss. Be warned, for the legend follows that if you receive a kiss from this young woman, you will come to your death exactly a month after.
This is said to be the fate of William Parker. He was passing by the churchyard on Christmas Eve in 1875 when he met a beautiful red haired girl. She invited him to sit with her for a while. After saying farewell, the young woman vanished and sure enough, William died exactly one month later, to the day.
At this site, reports of ghostly children, a woman in white, and a headless man have sent shivers down the spines of local residents and curious explorers.
We definitely will not be taking a trip to the original site of Boughton anytime soon. What about you? Would you dare to step into the shadows?
The haunting of Bartford Bridge: A ghostly monk
If you’re driving along the quiet country roads between Kettering and Corby at night, you might be in for a chilling surprise.
Local author Marian Pipe’s “Northamptonshire Ghosts and Legends” recounts numerous ghostly sightings along these eerie roads.
The once thriving village had a chapel which was served by a monk from the Cistercian Abbey based at Pipewell, just a few miles away, and it is this monk who is said to haunt the road.
“On the single track road from the dual carriageway to Geddington, there are many tales of drivers having had a frightening experience whilst they travelled along this lonely lane,” Pipe said.
“For if they had an empty passenger seat, the ghost of a monk is said to have come and sat down beside them, only to vanish further along the road.”
The paranormal activity at Bartford Bridge has been well-documented. In 1984, both a police sergeant and a woman reported seeing a bearded man’s face in their rearview mirror. More recently, in 2009, Northamptonshire Paranormal Investigation Team set up a vigil at the site and reported unusual temperature drops and loud banging noises.
So, the next time you drive along this road, keep an eye out for the ghostly monk. You might just have a supernatural encounter of your own.
These are just a few of the many strange and mysterious tales that have emerged from Corby over the years. Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, there’s no denying the allure of these local legends.
Do you have any local ghost stories, folklore, or legends? Share them with us and they could be featured in a future blog post. Let’s keep Corby’s historic – and spooky – past alive!
Read more about the town, originally called Corbei and its long history here.
