The Hexham Heads
The strange tale of the Hexham heads is more urban myth than folklore. They were a small pair of stone heads, about 6cms high, that were found in a garden in the English town of Hexham in 1971.
The heads became associated with alleged paranormal phenomena, and their exact place of origin is a point of controversy.
The Origin Story
The heads have been dogged by controversy since they were first discovered by two boys in the garden in 1971. After the boys in the garden brought the heads into the house the family began to notice strange paranormal things occurring.
Things were thrown around, and the heads themselves would move from one place to another when no-one was in the house. And the next door neighbour witnessed a creature outside their window that was described as half man half goat.
After the heads were given to Anne Ross, an expert in Celtic artifacts, she too witnessed paranormal activity in her home. Wolflike creatures that disappear, doors bursting open, and unusually cold feelings in rooms. Once the heads were removed from her house all activity stopped.
A man called Desmond Craigie came forward to say that he had made the heads himself while living in the house where the boys found them. But he was unable to recreate a satisfactory replica of the heads to back up his claim.
The original heads were then given to another un-named man and he and the heads have since vanished. To this day no-one knows where they are!!
Key Locations
The actual street where the heads were found in Hexham is called Rede Street. There is nothing particularly unusual to see here, it is just a normal suburban street.
Hexham
In Hexham itself is the Old Gaol, now a museum and well worth a visit. It is the earliest purpose built prison in England. Maybe they were carved by a prisoner on long lonely nights in the dark?
Hexham Old Gaol
Further out from Hexham is the old Roman fort and village of Vindolana. It is an archeological excavated site of a fort, village ruins and bath house. Maybe the heads came from here? Who knows?
Vindolana