I went to 'spooky tourist trap' UK village where a witch 'rose from the dead'

A 14th Century Church, village stocks and a witch buried under a stone. No, this isn't the start of a poorly constructed joke or the title of a children's book.

These are all sights you can see in one small village near Preston. Woodplumpton is a village and civil parish in the area, famed for its history steeped in witchcraft.

This week, reporter Susan Newton visited with a photographer to delve deeper into this fascinating village that's a hit with tourists. Perhaps the most famous piece of folklore from the village is its link to witches from days gone by, specifically as the last resting place of the "Fylde Hag" Meg Shelton.

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Meg was accused of using witchcraft to ruin crops, sour milk and shape-shift into animals during her life in the 17th Century. After her death in 1705, Meg was buried face down and her grave was covered with a large boulder due to reports she had repeatedly risen from the grave.

This boulder can still be found in the graveyard of St Anne's Church and has become somewhat of a tourist attraction over the years. The church itself is also intriguing, as the building is known to have existed before the year 1340, but there is evidence of a place of worship on or near the present site as early as the 11th Century, reports .

According to the church itself, records show the present building was rebuilt in 1639 and then again in 1990.

Witches' punishment

The charming village stocks outside the church in Woodplumpton, complete with ornately carved side stones and wooden inserts, are not just historic ornaments – they're a link to the area's past. Embossed on the right-hand stone is 'AB 73', believed to be the mason's initials alongside a mysterious date of an uncertain century, offering a tangible touch of history.

An additional discovery reveals that Woodplumpton used not just one, but two sets of stocks back in the day. But it’s not all about quaint punishments; this Lancashire village also has a darker past with its treatment of so-called 'witches'.

Directly opposite the local St Anne's Church of England Primary School lies the enigmatic 'House with Tin Roof'. Despite showing signs of age and being under renovation work, its significance can't be overlooked.

Local lore hints at a pond that once lay in front of the house near the main road, speculated to be the grim site where women, tarred with the label of 'witches', faced penalties at the hands of a ducking stool. This slice of history isn't merely for anecdotes – it's a draw for business as well.

The Wheatsheaf pub, a core part of the community, reels in visitors who drop by for a pint or a meal after checking out Meg's Stone.

Susan met Victoria Parkinson, radiating warmth from behind the bar on a dreary Tuesday afternoon. Very aware of these values, Victoria said: "The history side of it and the village itself does carry its name, which works in our favour.

"We even had a lady in yesterday who came after hearing about the story of the witch and everything. She came and asked if she could take pictures of the pub and village after being at the church."

As the villagers have been told, supposedly a tunnel was created from the pub to St Anne's Church to transport the deceased. "It's all bricked up," barmaid Victoria explained.

"If it's all true, I don't know."

House prices are 'frightening'

Despite the lack of verification on some of the village's folklore, the intrigue and its evident ancient past continue to attract visitors from far and wide.

Victoria said: "It's a good community. We have a lot of locals come in that are from the area and there are obviously a lot of new houses that are going up and they come up quite regularly. It is a locals' pub but we do get quite a lot of visitors that are passing through."

Moreover, the charm of the village has led to a significant increase in real estate value. "Trying to buy a house here is just like... as soon as they come onto the market, they're just gone. If you look at the price of houses, literally a mile down the road compared to here, it's frightening the difference. It is such a wanted area."

On living in the village, Victoria added: "It's easy to commute, it's easy to get to the railway station. I do feel very lucky to live here."

In the kitchen of The Wheatsheaf, local chef Marshal Carter, who has resided in Woodplumpton since he was four and recently moved to the neighbouring village of Catforth, speaks of a "quite a good sense of community". The villagers are known for their fundraising efforts and events to support charities and organisations in the wider area.

The Wheatsheaf itself is organising a Family Bingo event on Saturday, October 19, with proceeds going to Galloways Society for the Blind. Recently, the village hosted a fete attended by thousands.

Victoria Millsop, the church's warden and a resident of Woodplumpton since 2011, played a part in organising this event. Speaking to LancsLive, Victoria said: "We always make sure the rides for the children are all free, so all the bouncy castles and everything were all free. That's from donations from businesses and stuff."

She added that the fete serves as a major fundraiser for the church, featuring a barbecue, teas, coffees, and a free bus service from Cottam and Catforth.

Venturing out of the village, you'll pass by properties dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, including a Grade II listed building with a thatched roof, before leaving Woodplumpton and heading towards Newsham.

Just a stone's throw away from the rich history, visitors will encounter some more recent marvels. Moons Bridge, a sandstone structure with a single arch that carries Hollowforth Lane over the Lancaster Canal, is located just minutes outside the village. Here, a marina provides mooring for over 100 boats.