Paranormal Hunters UK have published a book on some of the most haunted pubs in the county – with Portsmouth and Fareham watering holes featuring.
The book blurb reads: “Hidden behind oak-panelled bars, black Smokey fireplaces and wood-burners, timeworn stone walls hide stories that refuse to fade away. From shadowy figures caught in the corner of the eye to unexplained whispers or whistles after last orders, Hampshire’s most haunted pubs are just brimming with secrets ready to be told.
”Ghosts on Tap, isn’t just a list of historic drinking spots or stories of the paranormal, it’s a journey through eerie encounters, chilling legends, and importantly, first-hand paranormal investigations. Whether you're a believer, a sceptic, or just looking for a decent pint with a side order of the supernatural, these actively haunted pubs promise more than just beer, this is Ghosts on Tap.”
Find out what the 9 most haunted pubs are in Hampshire below.
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The Brushmakers Arms also carries a darker side to its history. Local legend speaks of Mr. Chickett, a brushmaker allegedly murdered during a robbery. His ghost is said to roam the premises, forever searching for his stolen money. Reports of rattling doors, shadowy figures, and unexplained movements have surfaced over the years, adding to the pub’s mystique. During our own investigation, Barry and I felt a darker presence, but didn't we also experience so much more. Our Paranormal Investigation We began by setting up cameras upstairs in the living room and bedroom facing the hallway (where spirit children had been seen), and downstairs in the back room and main bar. The energy upstairs was palpable; the atmosphere almost hummed with something unseen. Orbs, round, pulsating spheres, appeared on multiple cameras, some moving with purpose, others darting by too quickly to explain. Upstairs, we played nursery rhymes. The response was subtle but undeniable: we sensed the spirits of children, delighting in the music. The hallway, however, felt entirely different. There, something darker that lingered. Actually, the hallway camera triggered over 250 times during the night, with no visible cause, anomalous activity that defies easy explanation. I hadn't seen this much camera activity. The Camera is now subsequently working as expected. Downstairs, an unexpectedly charming moment occurred. As Barry casually held up a doughnut, asking aloud if any spirits wanted one, the cat ball instantly lit up, a clear sign of interaction. Though we believed that the spirits wouldn’t consume it, we left the doughnuts as an offering, a gesture of goodwill because we had offered of a sorts. This leads me to something extraordinary which happened, something we’re still processing. Across four separate videos, an object approximately four inches high was captured flying around the room. This wasn’t a moth, bat, or any insect we could identify. Its movement was almost playful, hovering, descending, then pushing off as Photo: The Brushmakers Arms - Upham
6. Fleur de Lys in Lymington
The Fleur de Lys has long been associated with folklore, most notably linked to tales of The Grey Lady, a grim murder, and a significant fire. Its very name, “Fleur de Lys,” hints at connections to French heraldry and possibly to religious orders that once walked these grounds between the abbey and the village. Some locals whisper about monks who once served here, and one of them, becoming known to us as Max, would reveal himself to us later that night. Steve, the landlord, told us early on: “My dad was a sceptic, but even he has had experiences here. Doors slammed shut locking him in for 15 minutes. When he left, he saw a figure moving… He couldn’t explain it.” When a sceptic speaks of the unexplainable, you listen. Steve's father and I spoke of this story when we met. It was clear that there was no explanation for what he experienced. A Dark Secret in the Cellar Every old pub has a darker history hiding somewhere within, and at the Fleur de Lys, it’s perhaps the cellar. Here, with the dowsing rods and cat balls responding on request, a story unfolded. A pregnant woman was pushed down the stairs, killed, and dismembered to conceal the crime. We don't know where or if this happened, and of course, the story is highly subjective, given to me via intuition/mediumship. Could this be a link to the Magnolia? Despite her violent ending, the spirit was calm and cooperative. She confirmed she was content and worked alongside other spirits to safeguard the pub. This revelation shifted the atmosphere, suggesting that the building wasn’t haunted by fear, but by guardianship. Who protects and works for the Fleur is protected by her. A wonderful and happy thought, don't you think? Photo: Paranormal Hunters UK
7. Wymering Manor Portsmouth
As I parked my car outside the manor for this Paranormal Investigation at Wymering Manor, an inexplicable feeling washed over me — a visceral sensation of murder and deliberate multiple deaths, as if the ground itself whispered dark secrets of its past, nature itself grieving. This overwhelming feeling set the tone for what was to become a night of profound experiences. Upon entering Wymering Manor, the atmosphere took on a tangible quality; it was as if I had stepped into a smoky haze, reminiscent of a burning building. This sensation persisted until I reached beyond the first stairs landing, where the air seemed to clear momentarily, allowing me to take in the splendour of the twin Jacobean staircases and the gallery adorned with barley sugar twist balusters—a testament to the architectural grandeur of a bygone era. An Encounter with the Past Exploring further, I ventured into the loft, where one room, in particular, evoked a visceral reaction. An overwhelming feeling of horror pervaded this space, and despite the absence of visible cobwebs, I could feel them enveloping my head—a sensory illusion that added to the eerie ambiance of the manor. As we commenced our investigation and formed an energy circle, the presence of an arrogant entity made itself known. It was as if the spirit of someone who once commanded the manor, unwilling to relinquish control, was shouting obscenities, a stark reminder of the manifold layers of history that enveloped us. Among the spirits, a 'well-to-do' gentleman who provided a narrative that was both intriguing and haunting. His initial pleasantness gave way to a disturbing revelation of his 'guts being ripped open,' suggesting a violent end. This spirit raised poignant questions about the afterlife and the emotional ties that bind us to places long after death. His cryptic reference to "an evil bitch" suggested an awareness of other entities within the manor, possibly hinting at the infamous Bloody Nun? The Investigation Deepens Our exploration led us to Photo: The News archives
8. The Original White Hart - Ringwood
The Story of the Woman The female presence we encountered was strong at first but weakened as the session went on. Through impressions and dowsing, a story emerged: she had been promised something—freedom or marriage perhaps—but was betrayed. In despair she leapt from a window. She was not alone. She spoke of two other spirits, one possibly male. Towards the end of the night we thought we heard the voice of a child, which deeply unsettled the assistant manager listening through headphones. The Original White Hart proved to be a most intriguing investigation. On the surface, it’s a bustling pub in a historic town. Yet beneath that, layers of human experience linger, that of betrayal, companionship, ritual, and loss. This is not an inn of grand theatrics, its ghosts don’t rush to perform. Instead, they reveal themselves in glimpses, a darting orb, a child’s voice, a cross carved long ago, pipe music drifting where none should be. The energy moves with intelligence, slipping from room to room as if curious about us but cautious too. Photo: Paranormal Hunters UK