Roads, crossroads and pathways have always churned up visions of the unknown. The liminal vortex built on superstitions and superlatives has woven its way into history.

So why do the hairs always stand on the back of your neck when on the back roads of Dorset on late nights?

Why do ghosts end up haunting the roads?

Due to the nature of their crimes and deaths, ghosts are said to be rooted to their roads. Until the Murder Act of 1840, executions were made at the scene of the crime. So, for example, if a highwayman turned over a carriage, his punishment would be befitting of the crime committed and they would be executed there.

The burials of suicide victims were also treated in a gruesome manner, as it was seen as a crime and against the church. Because of this, victims were buried at a crossroads or on parish boundaries with a stake through their heart, capped with iron so that their spirit is confused and can not escape.

Roads in Dorset are sometimes ancient, and all over the county people have reported hearing the marching of a Roman legion.

Examples of ghosts on the roads in Dorset

It is thought that somewhere between Bradford Peverell and Muckleford a coach overturned into a bog, killing the traveller. Now, the victim is said to haunt the area, with people reporting the sounds of a carriage and laughter in the area.

The ghostly apparition of a carriage can be seen at Handly Cross, travelling to Oakly Down from the direction of Cranbourne. The sight is supposed to vanish when it reaches Salisbury Road.

A coach and mourners have been seen at Marnhull village crossing Sackmore Lane from Fillymead to Dunfords.

On the B3078 1 mile north of Wimborne, the apparition of a ghostly coffin has been seen lying in road. It is thought that the coffin belonged to a victim of suicide as, according to the custom the crossroad lies from the parish boundary between Colehill and Hinton Parva.

Two miles west of Evershot, at the Red Post junction, cries of Parliamentarians have been heard wailing down the road at night following an ambush from Royalists during the Civil War.

At Winters Lane near Weymouth, a headless man has been seen sitting on a gate whistling.

Hanging spots can also be found on roads in Dorset, with Icen Way in Dorchester a famous example, as the spot where the martyr statues are signified their place of death, with supposedly hundreds of people executed on that sight before Maumbury Rings was used.

How to track down your own Ghost Road?

The clue is in the name. Many of these ghost roads have names relating to what they were used for previously. For example Gallows Hill would have been the lane leading up to the gallows. Bier, which was an old word for a trolley carrying coffins also appears as a street name, as too does Lych- an old name for a corpse.

Sometimes roads, and particularly crossroads, can be named after the individual that has passed away or was executed there- so do some digging, and who knows- maybe you live near a ghost road?

Thanks to Dark Dorset; Tales of Mystery, Wonder and Terror- written by Robert Newland and Mark North.

If you have any paranormal stories in Dorset, feel free to email me at Alfie.lumb@newsquest.co.uk