The village of Black Dog in South Kesteven, Lincolnshire, has a long history dating back to at least the 13th century. Its unusual name is thought to derive from a local inn that once stood in the area. The village’s most notable landmark is the medieval St. Mary’s Church, parts of which date to the 14th century.

Black Dog has garnered a reputation for paranormal activity over the years. One of the most persistent ghost stories involves sightings of a large, shadowy canine figure roaming the village lanes at night. Witnesses have described encountering a massive black dog with glowing red eyes that vanishes when approached. These accounts bear similarities to the folklore of the “Black Shuck” common in East Anglia.

The church itself is said to be haunted by the spirit of a former vicar. Visitors have reported hearing footsteps and seeing a misty figure in clerical garb near the altar. Some claim to have felt an unseen presence watching them from the shadows of the nave.

Another local tale centers on a phantom horse and rider seen galloping along the old Roman road that passes near the village. The ghostly horseman is said to appear on foggy nights, his thundering hooves echoing before fading into silence. Some accounts link this apparition to a Civil War-era soldier, though its true origin remains unknown.

The nearby ruins of a medieval manor house are also reputed to be a paranormal hotspot. Locals have reported strange lights and unexplained noises emanating from the crumbling walls after dark.