Dark Hedges in County Antrim

A haunting scene. In the shadow of the Dark Hedges

In the late 18th century, a wealthy landowner built an estate in County Antrim in what is now Northern Ireland. To make a scenic but imposing entryway, he had 150 beech trees planted on either side of the road (90 of which survive today). The trees grew to form a tunnel leading up to the property and became known as the Dark Hedges. On a gloomy autumn night, with moonlight casting shadows through the branches, it can get a bit spooky.

If that isn’t enough to tingle your spine, there have been a few sightings here of the Grey Lady, a spectral woman who crosses the path, only to vanish into the trees. And, according to local legend, on Halloween the Grey Lady is joined in her wanderings by the occupants of the nearby graveyard. We do love a good ghost story on Halloween but, do you mind if we turn on the lights?