The (supposedly) haunted pubs of Southampton and beyond

Halloween may have come and gone a few months ago, but with the cold dark evenings still upon us, we feel there’s still room for some spooky tales. And let’s face it – a good ghost story is timeless.

These are some of the area’s haunted pubs. Apparently!

The Crown Inn, Bishop’s Waltham

The Crown Inn looks and feels old, so it’s hardly surprising that ghostly apparitions have made an appearance.

Among them is a stable boy who is thought to have been killed when kicked by a horse as well as a lady dressed in pink using the private staircase leading to the landlord’s living area.

Dolphin Hotel, Southampton

It has stood in the Old Town of the city since 1751 and is listed as a Grade 2 building. Its long past is likely full of stories - including some spooky tales.

A former cleaner called ‘Molly’ is said to have died under mysterious circumstances and occasionally returns to walk the halls.

They say she can be seen floating just above the ground, leaving a cold chill behind her.

The Montagu Arms, Beaulieu

They say that an apparition hasn’t been ‘seen’ there for years, but there have been many through the years.

Ghostly sightings from the past have included wandering monks, maybe even from nearby Beaulieu Abbey.

There’s even said to be the spirit of Isabella, Countess of Beaulieu, who Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a staunch spiritualist, allegedly contacted during a séance.

The Eclipse Inn, Winchester

Dame Alice Lisle spent her final night at the inn on September 2, 1685, before being beheaded outside in the street. Her ghost is said to return regularly.

The 70-year-old widow of Sir John Lisle, the MP for Winchester and Master of St Cross who was a Republican supporter in a Royalist city.

She was charged with treason for offering shelter to two of Monmouth’s supporters following the Battle of Sedgemoor.

Tried by Judge Jeffreys, the original sentence of burning at the stake was changed after the clergy of Winchester intervened.

Her body was laid to rest in Ellingham churchyard but it is told that her spirit still visits the tavern where she spent her final night.

Staff and customers alike have been startled by her appearance clothed in a grey woollen dress, she watches them silently from the dark.

The Angel & Blue Pig, Lymington

This quirky 16th Century New Forest pub is said to have several ghosts from its days as the Angel Inn and before that the George Inn.

There are said to have been sightings of the shadowy figure of a coach driver in the cold light of dawn.

Also, a tall grey-haired naval figure allegedly stalks the bar area and the sound of piano playing can be heard through the walls of the old Assembly Rooms next door.

The Red Lion, Southampton

One of the oldest pubs in England, this historic city centre watering hole is said to have 21 phantom patrons.

Part of the building dates back to 1148 with additions during the Tudor era.

The pub was said to be the location for the treason trial of the Southampton Plot Conspirators – Richard, Earl of Cambridge, Lord Scrope of Masham and Sir Thomas Grey of Heton. The trio were accused of plotting the death of Henry V in 1415.

Punters have occasionally reported seeing a ghostly old lady floating behind the bar and heavy boots have been heard in the basement.

The Brushmakers Arms, Upham

The 600-year-old haunted country pub once used by Oliver Cromwell has seen many uses during a fascinating history.

Aside from being a pub, the Bruckmaker Arms has been a private house, a school and was once even used as a campaign headquarters by Oliver Cromwell as he advanced on Winchester during the English Civil War in 1645.

But it got its name as it served the needs of travelling brush makers who fashioned Hampshire hedgerow hazel into domestic brushes.

It is thought that the establishment may be haunted by Mr Chicket, the original brushmaker who was murdered during a robbery at the pub.

Over the years there have been many reports of doors rattling, phantom footsteps and sightings of apparitions.

The Red Lion Pub, Boldre, New Forest

A local verderer John of Stratford, nephew of the Bishop of Winchester, was said to found a giant pair of antlers sticking out of the ground around South Baddesley in the late 1300s or early 1400s.

When he pulled the antlers from the ground, they were attached to the head of a red lion that proceeded to drag him around the forest.

John managed to wrestle the beast into submission, but since that day it is said that the Stratford Lyon has appeared on major dates in the de Stratford calendar.

Since then the Lion is alleged to have been spotted all over the forest - especially in the lands around South Baddesley, Brockenhurst, and Boldre.

The Red Lion Pub in the middle of this area was named after the Lion.

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