Written by Lauren Campbell – Featured on Hauntic.com
Worksop is a market town in the Bassetlaw District of Nottinghamshire, just under nine miles from the legendary Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood territory! While the outlaw’s tales fill the woods, Worksop has its own chilling legend that locals still whisper about: The Blue Lady of Worksop Priory.
A Priory Steeped in History
The Augustinian Priory Church in Worksop was founded in 1103, around the same time Worksop Castle was built. The castle may be long gone now, but back then it stood proudly on Castle Hill.
The Gatehouse, added in 1330, once welcomed weary travellers with warmth and shelter. In the 17th century, it even served as a school. Today, it remains the last surviving medieval walkthrough of its kind, though sadly, it has suffered vandalism over the years and has been on the Buildings at Risk register since the late 1990s.
Like many monasteries, the priory was devastated by Henry VIII’s dissolution in 1539. His men destroyed much of the surrounding structures, monks were killed on the grounds, and the land passed into the hands of the Earl of Shrewsbury. Despite centuries of decline, parts of the priory’s gardens, the Gatehouse, and of course, the church itself, still survive.
And with such a bloody past, it’s no wonder ghosts linger here.
The Blue Lady Legend
The most famous story tied to the priory is that of The Blue Lady. She is said to glide across the rooftop of the church before fading away, or drift silently through the churchyard and even around the Gatehouse itself.
When I was growing up, she was our local urban legend. The bravest kids dared each other to summon her by walking clockwise around a tree on the old Gatehouse path while calling out “Blue Lady” five times. If you did, the Blue Lady was said to appear… and curse you with a lifetime of bad luck.
My Paranormal Experience
This place holds a special memory for me, not just because I grew up with the legend, but because I once had a terrifying paranormal experience there.
During a late-night investigation at the priory, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. At one point, I looked down and realised I was standing on a grave. I quickly stepped off and apologised, out of respect.
But something must have followed me home. That night, as I lay in bed, I felt the spirit climb in beside me. My whole body went numb and I couldn’t move or speak. After what felt like five long minutes, I finally regained control and saw a faint mist drift through my bedroom wall.
I screamed.
That was five years ago, and I haven’t stepped foot inside Worksop Priory since. Even driving past gives me a sudden chill.
Who Is the Blue Lady?
Across Britain, there are countless tales of ghostly women, the White Lady, Grey Lady, Red Lady, even the Woman in Black. The Purple Lady, sometimes appearing blue due to weaker energy, is thought to be one of the rarest.
These spectral women are often linked to strong moral codes and religious devotion. The Purple/Blue Lady, in particular, is believed to have been a teacher or a deeply religious woman in life. Stern, moral, and quick to punish the wicked while rewarding the good.
Could Worksop’s Blue Lady have been a devout teacher tied to the Gatehouse when it was used as a school? Or perhaps a woman of faith who prayed at the priory centuries ago? Her presence lingers, but her true story may be lost to time.
Final Thoughts
Worksop may be just a short drive from Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest, but its greatest legend might not be of merry men, it’s of a ghostly woman cloaked in blue, haunting the ruins of its ancient priory.
If you ever visit Worksop Priory Church, take in the incredible history… but tread carefully. For some who whisper her name, the Blue Lady of Worksop still answers.
Afterword
This chilling tale of The Blue Lady of Worksop was written by Lauren Campbell, a talented storyteller with a passion for the paranormal and forgotten dark histories. Lauren has a gift for blending local folklore with personal experience, bringing ghost stories to life in a way that lingers long after you’ve finished reading.
If you’ve enjoyed this piece, you can join her growing community of ghost story lovers and history enthusiasts over on her Facebook group: LCampbell Ghost Stories & Dark History.
At Hauntic, we’re proud to feature writers like Lauren who keep these eerie legends alive for new generations to discover.
