You may have noticed that Greater Manchester and Lancashire are pretty much steeped in history and folklore, what with ancient woodland, mysterious hills and structures that date back centuries. With this comes many intriguing place names, and one of these is the not so elegantly named Boggart Hole Clough – so with Halloween fast approaching, we’ve looked into the history behind this illusive, deeply folkloric spot to see what it’s all about.
Where is Boggart Hole Clough?
Boggart Hole Clough is in Blackley, on the border between Middleton and Manchester. It’s a green space, with the ‘clough’ being a steep valley or ravine – meaning there’s a small stream that runs through the space, called Boggart Hole Brook. It has a boating lake, with Rochdale Road to the west, and Broadhurst Park along with its cemetery to the east.
Covering around 190 acres of ancient woodland, the dark forest has roots in the Bronze Age and is understandably packed with spiritual history and a general eerie ambience.
What is the myth & folklore surrounding Boggart Hole Clough?
Local folklore holds that Boggart Hole Clough is, funnily enough, haunted by a boggart, a mischievous spirit found mainly in Lancashire and Yorkshire. A boggart most closely resembles a troll, but many experts say it’s just a catch-all term for an evil spirit or apparition.
You may also recognise the boggart from Harry Potter fame. In the famous scene from the Prisoner of Azkaban, Professor Lupin unleashes a boggart from a wardrobe, which takes the shape of what each student (and teacher) fears the most – a huge spider, a clown, a Dementor. Etc.
According to Lancashire folklore, boggarts can turn milk sour, make objects disappear and make dogs unable to walk – in fact, dogs don’t like boggarts at all, so if your furry friend starts to snarl at nothing in this neck of the woods, you might have an inkling as to why.
Supposedly, the boggart of Boggart Hole Clough occupies an old farmhouse whose ruins are hidden in the woods, and has almost entirely been reclaimed by dark foliage. As with trolls, boggarts are also partial to hanging out under bridges, in muddy holes, around sharp bends and in bushes – all of which Boggart Hole Clough has in spades… so watch out when enjoying a walk through the woods.
Most importantly, or perhaps petrifyingly, boggarts seem to have a penchant towards children, and the cases of missing children in Boggart Hole Clough since the 18th century are numerous. It’s been said that a farmer and his family were once driven from their home, for fear of the boggart stealing their children. Allegedly, the creature tormented the family in the house, from knocking drinks over, rattling their bed curtains and even stealing food – but don’t worry, there seems to have been no disappearing acts since the late 90s – but obviously, keep an eye on children at all times…
Are there any other folklore tales or creatures in the surrounding areas?
Historic Lancashire, which would include the Blackley area, is truly packed with myth and folklore. Tales of other boggarts are bookended by devil incarnate creatures, witches (of course) and fairies, and a giant cat, with the likes of mermaids, sea monsters and disappearing settlements looming along the Lancashire coast.
Closer to what is now Greater Manchester, though, Saddleworth has been cited as the location for ancient sacrifices, Bury is said to have been the spot where the Devil has appeared (plenty of times at that), a famous mummy has a history in Oldham, and goblin workmen were supposedly responsible for playing tricks during the building of a Rochdale church… so you could say, we’re pretty well-versed in spooky goings-on.