The Ghosts of Highdown Hill

Highdown Hill near Worthing in West Sussex was a significant Saxon cemetery in the 5th and 6th centuries. Excavations have revealed numerous graves, many with rich grave goods. The site has also produced reports of ghostly Saxon warriors.

The Site

Highdown Hill rises above the coastal plain near Worthing. The summit and slopes contain the remains of an Iron Age hill fort and Saxon graves. The cemetery was used by early Anglo-Saxon settlers who colonized the area after Roman rule ended.

The Excavations

Archaeological work beginning in the 19th century revealed extensive burials with weapons, jewelry, and other artifacts. The dead were warriors and their families, establishing English settlement in what had been Roman Britain.

The Apparitions

Visitors to Highdown have reported seeing figures in what appears to be Saxon warrior dress. They wear helmets and carry weapons. The figures stand silently, surveying the landscape, before fading from view. They appear most often at dusk.

The Sounds

Beyond visual apparitions, people have reported hearing the clash of weapons and cries of battle on Highdown Hill. These sounds, heard when no one is present, may be echoes of conflicts from the Saxon period or earlier.

The Miller’s Tomb

The hilltop also contains the unusual tomb of John Oliver, a miller who was buried there in 1793. His eccentric burial site adds another layer to Highdown’s already complex supernatural reputation.

Assessment

Highdown Hill represents a concentrated burial site where hundreds of early English settlers were laid to rest. The appearance of Saxon warriors may represent residual hauntings connected to this ancient cemetery.