The Highgate Vampire
In 1970, rumours of a vampire in a London cemetery brought crowds of would-be hunters over the walls at night.
What was reported
Highgate Cemetery, in north London, is a Victorian burial ground of overgrown paths, catacombs and tombs. In 1970 local people reported a tall, dark figure among the graves, and letters in the local newspaper discussed a possible vampire.
Two rival occult enthusiasts, David Farrant and Seán Manchester, each claimed to be hunting it. After a television report in March 1970, crowds climbed into the cemetery at night, and tombs were damaged.
Explanations offered
Most see the affair as a mix of rumour, media excitement and a long-running rivalry between the two men, which lasted for decades. No vampire was found. The cemetery is now carefully managed and open for guided tours.
- When
- 1970
- Where
- Highgate Cemetery, London, England
- Witnesses
- Local people, two rival occultists, and crowds
- Status
- Mostly explained
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.