Hauntings and Ghosts on Norfolk's A47
CAISTER HOLIDAY PARK Sat: NR30 5NH
Acle Straight (A47) and Paranormal Activity
The haunted Acle Straight is part of the A47 trunk road in Norfolk and runs east/west between Acle and Yarmouth for 9 miles with only one slight bend. It is known as Acle New Road and is a notorious accident spot with one turn-off called Branch Road between Seven Mile House on the River Bure and Halvergate village to the south. The railway line between Great Yarmouth and Norwich runs parallel to the road on the southern side and the River Bure flows on the northern edge.
The nine mile Acle Straight, which crosses uninhabited marshes and wetlands, and has fine views of the 80 year old Caister Water Tower, was constructed by digging two parallel ditches 11 metres apart, was opened in 1831 to shorten the distance between Great Yarmouth and Norwich by just over 3.5 miles over reclaimed land which was once under the sea. Before this road was built travellers faced long detours of up to 30 miles as there was no practical alternative route.
Reported Paranormal Activity
Like some other dangerous and lonely roads, the Acle Straight has its share of reported hauntings and strange and unexplained happenings which do not directly relate to recent events and driving incidents. The most well-known report of paranormal activity on the road is that of a car driver passing the turning for Halvergate whilst heading towards Acle who saw a middle-aged man suddenly walk out across the middle of the road from the right-hand side. This happened so quickly that the driver had no time to stop and, despite his efforts and with the figure turning towards and looking at him, his car drove straight 'through' him. There was no physical evidence of any vehicle and pedestrian accident afterwards.
There have also been reports of a phantom horse and cart moving across the road directly in front of oncoming vehicles, and of car drivers suddenly feeling the need to perform an emergency stop at various places along the road for no obvious reason. A strange figure wearing green with no visible face has sometimes been seen standing at the side of the road.
The Disappearing Manor House
In 1979 the occupants of a car travelling towards Great Yarmouth on this road in the early evening noticed a large manor house in the fields near the Vauxhall Holiday Park. It was on the left-hand side of the road next to some tall Poplar trees. The house appeared to be lit from within and the silhouettes of party-goers enjoying themselves were easily seen through the windows. Nothing seemed to be out of place. However, the next time the car and occupants travelled this road and passed the very same spot they saw the house, there was nothing there at all. There were no trees and no manor house. There was no indication a grand manor house was ever there.
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