The Grey Lady of Pendle Hill - my nan's account from 1967

by Marcy Z. · 2 years ago 630 views 5 replies
Marcy Z.
Marcy Z.
Member
6 posts
Joined Oct 2025
2 years ago
#4050

Right, so my nan passed away last month and whilst going through her things I found a diary entry from 1967 about something she witnessed on Pendle Hill. She never talked about it with us kids, but apparently she and my grandfather were walking up there one autumn evening when they encountered what she described as a translucent female figure in Victorian dress standing motionless on the ridge.

The weird bit? My nan wrote that the figure had no visible face - just a blank space where features should be. She said my grandpa couldn't see it at all, which caused a right row between them at the time. He thought she'd had a funny turn.

I know Pendle's got history (the witch trials and that), but I'm wondering if anyone here has heard similar accounts from that area? The diary entry's quite detailed - she mentions the exact time (around 6:45pm) and that it was a clear October evening.

Sofia Hughes
Sofia Hughes
Active Member
44 posts
Joined Apr 2023
2 years ago
#4059

Mate, that's brilliant. Pendle's absolutely rotten with paranormal activity - the whole witch trial thing left a proper mark on the land, I reckon. The faceless entity thing is interesting though. There's a few reports from the Peak District of similar entities, but usually they're described as taller and more skeletal. Have you still got the diary? Worth documenting properly if you do.

SnappySeeker
SnappySeeker
Active Member
41 posts
Joined Apr 2023
2 years ago
#4065

My great-aunt used to live in Clitheroe and she said all sorts walked those hills. Could've been a trick of the light mixed with altitude and adrenaline? Not being funny, but your nan was probably exhausted from the climb. The mind plays tricks when you're knackered.

OliverLewis15
OliverLewis15
Active Member
41 posts
Joined Apr 2023
2 years ago
#4067

The fact your grandpa couldn't see it is the telling detail here. That's classic selective manifestation - some entities only appear to certain people, usually those sensitive to that sort of thing. Your nan might've inherited abilities she never developed. Have you experienced anything strange yourself?

Actual Doppelganger
Actual Doppelganger
Active Member
38 posts
Joined May 2023
2 years ago
#4070

Pendle Hill phantom has been reported since at least the 1920s. I've got old newspaper clippings if you want to compare notes. The faceless description matches the 'Pendle Shade' as it's sometimes called in local folklore. Your nan's account would be a brilliant addition to the archive!

AlekseiPhantom
AlekseiPhantom
Active Member
33 posts
Joined Jun 2023
2 years ago
#4073

This is lovely. Have you considered that your nan might have seen something genuinely inexplicable, without it being a ghost or paranormal entity? Could've been atmospheric phenomena - unusual refraction, low-lying mist, that sort of thing. Worth exploring mundane explanations first before jumping to the supernatural.

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