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.
9. The Golden Lion, Fareham
Pictured: News Reporter Sophie Lewis looking for ghosts at the The Golden Lion, Fareham. Book extract: Inside the outbuilding we heard the unmistakable scrape of glass shifting; nothing dramatic, just enough to confirm that we perhaps weren’t alone with empty brickwork and tools. Moving back into the main pub, we headed upstairs into what was living quarters. In the living room, I immediately sensed a woman. Victorian in dress, posture, and presence, she stood, at least in my mind’s eye, by the window, looking out as though waiting for someone who never came home or perhaps more likely looking at at the world. Later in the evening, the landlord would tell us about a fire that had ravaged the kitchen and upper level; they had barely escaped, but before the fire their dog would growl near to the spot I had pointed to. It is often the case that animals pick up what we can only sense faintly. After the fire the dog was said to no longer be worried in that room. Had the fire altered the activity levels? A trip to the cellar was our next destination, and its atmosphere shifted the second we stepped in. There was weight there, a history, sadness, and something else. I felt the clear sensation of someone placing their hand on the shoulder of anyone passing through the corridor. The idea of a lingering caretaker, or perhaps someone who simply didn’t want to be forgotten. When we later learned that the cellar had been used as a mortuary, the impression made sense. The dead do not always leave quietly. Barry sensed stomach issues and the story is that a growl is often heard in that corridor! Back in the bar area, we heard stories from the current team, of glasses falling from the top shelf, items pushed off tables, the odd cold spot that had no explanation. Photo: Habibur Rahman