Blickling Hall
Although Hever Castle is known as Anne Boleyn’s family home, she was actually born at the original family home, a manor house in Blickling, Norfolk. The manor house no longer exists but the Jacobean house, Blickling Hall, now stands on its former site. You may want to visit this National Trust property on 19th May because Anne Boleyn’s ghost is said to haunt the hall on the anniversary of her execution. Apparently, a carriage pulled by headless horses with a headless coachman arrives at the hall and a headless Anne Boleyn gets out carrying her severed head! Anne then roams the hall’s corridors until daybreak when she disappears.
Blickling Hall is also said to be haunted by Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne, on the date of Anne’s execution. This is the man who stood by as his daughter and son, George Boleyn, were executed for high treason, incest and adultery. Thomas Boleyn died in 1539 and legend has it that as penance, for the untimely deaths of two of his children, he must cross 12 bridges before c*ckcrow on 19th May. With his ghostly coach of headless horses, he starts at Blickling and crosses bridges at Aylsham, Belaugh, Burg, Buxton, Coltishall, Hautbois, Meyton, Oxnead and Wroxham.
More information about visiting Blickling Hall can be found at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-blicklinghallgardenandpark.htm and the myths surrounding the hall can be read at http://norfolkcoast.co.uk/myths/ml_blickling.htm
Just out of curiosity, do you know if any of the old Boleyn manor still exists at Blickling?
Hi Elizabeth,
No, I don’t think there is any left as the present hall, which dates back to the 17th century, was built on the site of the previous building. There’s a good wikipedia page on it and you can buy a guide from the National Trust site. It’s main claim to fame is its ghosts, both Anne and her father are said to haunt it.
Apparently the present hall is built around and on top of the previous manor house. There are still walls from the original manor, but they are enclosed or hidden by the new.
what hapend to the old manor.i lived part of my youth at matlask hall
I am doing a short internship at Blickling Hall and everyone asks about Anne Boleyn. The House Steward (who also lives in the house) says he has never ever had any ghost encounters at Blickling Hall. I was disappointed.
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my
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This is so very interesting. I have been researching on Ancestry and have found that my 13th great grandmother was Alice Boylen. This means that my 13tg great aunt was Anne Boylen. Wow!
I’ve been researching my family tree, and Anne Boleyn is my 13 x great aunt in one family line
I had heard of Anne Boleyn’s ghost before. When I stood at the front of Blickling Hall I felt and saw her presence. She was looking out of a top floor right hand side window. I asked one of the volunteers if anyone was living in the house at this time (31/12/17) as she standing with her hands pressed against the window looking out. I bowed my head in respect. I will be returning on 19 May or sooner.
on your date should it not read, January 1, 2018?
I too in researching my family history found out i am the 16th great granddaughter to Lady Ann (Boelyn) Shelton , sister to Thomas, and name sake to Queen Consort Ann Boelyn. She is my first cousin 16 times removed. I live in the US hope to visit someday.
Kelly, I too am a 16th great grandchild of Anne Shelton! My family still lives in the UK though. That makes us cousins!
I think I am Anne’s relative. I was looking at doctuments online. John Denver is my 3 rd cousin. My great great grandmother married into Johns family in Oklahoma. But my grandmother on WikiTree in 26th from Henry , Anne beside him, Mary next to her. I am floored.
Really wonderful house and gardens to visit will have to return when the weather gets better to walk the grounds and gardens the house is amazing the Library outstanding reminded me of Arandel Castle Library.