Folk Stories Archives | FearFest-Evil

Bride Missing in Chepstow Woods

Elizabeth McRae 'The Bride'

In 1976 Elizabeth McRae went missing from Coombesbury Woods in the Northern area of what is now the National Diving & Activity Centre.

Elizabeth was a rare dog breeder from London who was to marry a local Lord.

Coombesbury Woods
Coombesbury Woods, the site of several disappearances and subject of Chepstow folklore

Her vanity had led her to use Tintern Abbey as the wedding venue, with the reception taking place at a clearing in Coombesbury Woods. The spectacular reception was to be held in a gigantic Big Top tent, holding 400 people and featuring a travelling Circus.

However on the day of the wedding things didn’t go to plan when the Lord’s family discovered she was already with child outside of wedlock. Continue reading “Bride Missing in Chepstow Woods”

Family of Tidenham Priest found dismembered and scorched

In 1573, in the village of Tidenham, the family of a parish priest were found dismembered and scorched in a huge bonfire at the edge of Coombesbury Woods. Their screams were heard as far away as Tintern Abbey.
In 1573, in the village of Tidenham, the family of a parish priest were found dismembered and scorched in a huge bonfire at the edge of Coombesbury Woods. Their screams were heard as far away as Tintern Abbey. The priest himself was not amongst the dead and a body was never found.
Reports from the time say that his body must have been cremated by the fire. However local folk songs tell a tale that he’d been possessed by the Devil himself, murdered his family and jumped off nearby cliffs (now known as Wintours Leap) into the River Wye.
Coombesbury Woods
Coombesbury Woods, the site of several disappearances and subject of Chepstow folklore
Much of Coombesbury woods were destroyed when Dayhouse Quarry was dug, but some areas still remain. To this day many locals avoid the area and claim that the family’s screams can still be heard on a clear night. If you dare… join us this October in the remaining haunted woods, disused limestone quarry and historic railway line near Chepstow. Limited tickets for FearFest-Evil​ are available now at http://www.FearFest-Evil.co.uk FearFest-Evil is a live Halloween horror event running for selected nights in October.