A361 Burford Civil War Ghosts

The A361 near the historic town of Burford in Oxfordshire is haunted by one of the English Civil War’s most tragic episodes: the execution of Leveller mutineers in May 1649. Following the defeat of King Charles I, tensions emerged within the victorious Parliamentarian forces over the nature of the new regime. A group of soldiers influenced by the radical Leveller movement—advocating for extended suffrage and religious tolerance—mutinied at Salisbury and marched toward Burford. They were surprised and captured by Cromwell’s forces, and three ringleaders were executed in Burford churchyard. The ghosts of these executed men, and their fellow mutineers, are said to haunt the approach roads to Burford.

Motorists and pedestrians traveling the A361 near Burford report encountering groups of soldiers in Civil War-era clothing, marching with heads down in the manner of prisoners under guard. The apparitions appear dejected and resigned, moving slowly toward the town. Some witnesses describe seeing individual soldiers standing at the roadside, as though waiting or contemplating their fate. The ghosts are most commonly reported in May, the anniversary month of the executions, and during early morning or evening hours. Unlike aggressive or frightening hauntings, these spirits project an overwhelming sadness and sense of injustice that affects observers emotionally.

The Burford churchyard contains graffiti carved by the imprisoned Levellers before their execution, including the name “Anthony Sedley 1649” still visible today. This physical connection to the historical event seems to anchor the haunting to the area. The Levellers’ cause—championing rights for common soldiers and citizens against the emerging military dictatorship—adds poignancy to their ghosts’ continued presence. The A361 hauntings serve as a reminder of the Civil War’s complexity, where victory against the king led to new conflicts over power and principles. Those who encounter the phantom Levellers often report feeling that these men are still seeking acknowledgment of their sacrifice and the justice they died pursuing.