The Stocksbridge Bypass (A616) in South Yorkshire isn’t just a road—it’s a corridor of spine-tingling stories, ghostly sightings, and unexplained paranormal activity. Dubbed the “most haunted road in Britain”, this stretch of tarmac has a dark reputation that stretches back even before it opened in 1988.
From ghostly children and phantom monks to spectral fairies and mysterious backseat hitchhikers, the bypass has become a magnet for paranormal enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike.
👻 The Monk of Stocksbridge Bypass
Perhaps the most famous apparition is the monk, said to haunt the road and Pea Royd Bridge.
Some drivers claim the monk suddenly appears in the middle of the road, forcing swerves to avoid a collision. Others report seeing him standing quietly at the roadside before vanishing. Even stranger, there are accounts of the monk appearing in the backseat of cars, disappearing just before terrified drivers can react.
Two security guards working a night shift at the bypass construction site saw a dark figure in old robes on Pea Royd Bridge so clearly that they filed a police report. Officers PC Ellis and SC Beet later investigated—and reportedly saw the same cloaked figure standing beside their car. Their engine wouldn’t start, and as they finally drove off, a loud bang sounded against their vehicle, as if struck by an unseen hand.
Some believe the monk may have been buried on the land where the road now lies—possibly a disgraced monk punished for breaking his vows or a former groundskeeper for Underbank Hall. The construction of the bypass may have disturbed his final resting place, angering the restless spirit.
🎶 Ring-a-Roses Children
Near an old electrical pylon close to Pea Royd Bridge, many witnesses have reported phantom children singing the nursery rhyme “Ring-a-Roses.”
Before the road opened, two security guards saw the children moving in a circle, their old-fashioned clothing adding to the chilling effect. As the guards approached, the children vanished into thin air.
Other encounters include a couple who heard laughter and felt unseen touches around their car—experiences that left them shaken and intrigued. Theories suggest these spectral children may have died in a mine accident, drowned in Underbank Reservoir, or perished in a stagecoach accident in the 1800s.
🌙 Other Paranormal Sightings
The bypass has also spawned a variety of other ghostly legends:
- A shadowy figure forcing drivers to swerve near Wortley.
- A praying woman appearing in the backseat of cars, vanishing moments later.
- A ghostly gypsy wagon, said to roam the road late at night, driven by the dead.
YouTuber Andy Pollard, known as Yorkshire Ghost Guy, even captured footage of a dark hooded figure running across the road near Pea Royd Lane, adding further weight to the eerie lore surrounding the bypass.
⚠️ Beware the Bypass After Dark
Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, the stories of Stocksbridge Bypass are undeniably unsettling. From spectral monks and ghost children to mysterious figures and phantom vehicles, this South Yorkshire road is steeped in a chilling history that will make any driver think twice before travelling alone after dark.
So next time you’re planning a late-night drive along the A616, remember… you may not be alone.
Written by Lauren Campbell | Edited by Hauntic.com
