Tag: Halloween

We recently asked Would You Buy A Haunted House?” If you answered no, your options of buying a home in the Swale area could be very restricted as the areas rich and varied history mean that we share this location with many ghostly neighbours.  With today being Halloween, we thought we would share some of the most famous ethereal Ghosts of Swale.

Faversham

It’s widely known that the village of Pluckley in Kent is Britain’s most haunted village. It is perhaps not as well known that Faversham is reported to be Britain’s most haunted town.

Diana

Ask any child that has grown up in Faversham about ghosts, and the chances are they will mention Diana.  Daughter of the owner of Syndale Manor (now known as Judd’s Folly).  Legend has it, she was engaged to the son of the vicar at Davington Church.

After evensong, each evening the couple would walk from Davington, through Bysingwood to Diana’s home at Syndale.  It was on such a stroll that the couple were attacked which resulted in Diana being killed and decapitated. Her lover survived with minor injuries but was devastated with grief.  Shortly afterwards he was found hanged, close to the place where the lovers were attacked.

Today Diana’s restless soul is believed to wander the route the lovers took that fateful night with her head head tucked under her arm.

Ghost in the machine

If you are visiting Faversham, we would recommend a visit to the Faversham Museum in the Fleur des Lis Heritage Centre.  The building was formerly a pub, and is home to at least one very long-term resident, who is keen to make contact.

“The White Lady” she is frequently seen by staff and visitors at the top of the stairs.  But more curiously, she is believed to “haunt” the telephone exchange exhibit.  Staff have reported the phones on the exchange ringing, despite not being connected to any external phone lines.

Brewery Spirits

Britain’s Oldest Brewery Shepherd Neame has been brewing on the same site in Faversham for at least 300 years.  The Court Street buildings which house the brewery offices today, are of a similar age to the brewery, but would have had many uses before the brewery expanded into them.

Staff at the brewery could tell you a number of ghosts that are supposed to reside within the brewery buildings.  From Annie, a possible servant, who lives in a storeroom, know as Annie’s attic.  To former directors who are often caught smoking cigars in the boardroom.

The brewery has so many unearthly spirits that In Derek Acorah visited in 2005 with his television “Ghost Town”

Ghosts of Faversham

The Ship Wrights Inn

Located at Hollowshore, on the banks of The Swale.  This remote old pub and the setting lends itself to tales of pirates and smugglers.  Drinkers and staff have reported a noticeable drop in temperature, and strong smell of tobacco and rum. Occasionally they have also seen a “thick set bearded sailor” wearing a thick coat, a peaked hat and red eyes.

The story goes that a Dutch captain boat ran into difficulty along the Swale on a bleak winters night.  The captain hauled himself along the mud flats  to the door of the Inn.  With, last orders already called, the Landlord would not open the door for fear of vagrants.  The sailor passed away from exposure overnight.

Sittingbourne

Haunted Railway Line

A level crossing in Sittingbourne is said to be haunted by ghosts. Should you be on a train, passing this location around midnight. You may well see a ghostly apparition walking across the track.

The crossing is no longer in use, replaced by a footbridge as the crossing was an accident hotspot. The ghostly pedestrian is claimed to be one of the victims who haunts the crossing, warning travellers of the danger.

A goods train was passing the location recently at 2am.  The driver believed he saw someone on the line and believed he hit them.  The train was brought to a standstill, and the emergency services called.  Despite a thorough search, nothing was found. The driver is credited with the belief that the apparition foretells impending danger.

Smile, you are on camera

Many cynics wonder, if ghosts exist, why are they not caught more often on camera given the amount of technology we have at our disposal?

Local photographer, Laura Dickson believes that she has captured a series of apparitions in her photographs, including a faceless monk at St Peter and St Paul Church in Borden.  After an afternoon photographing the church, she spotted the figure in the window of the church, which appeared to show a faceless monk in a habit.

Ghosts of Sittingbourne

This is not the only time Laura believes she has captured a ghost in her photographs.  For the full article take a look at Kent Online’s 2014 article

The George

The George on Sittingbourne High Street is believed to date from 1430. With so much history, it’s not surprising that it has attracted a few spiritual residents.  One is believed to be a somewhat bad tempered monk who is believed to be responsible for smashing glasses.

Sheppey

Old House At Home

Pubs often attract spiritual visitors, mostly without issue.  However, the Old House at Home plagued by a ghost who has very bad manners.  The resident ghost is credited with making eerie noises and moving furniture across rooms.

But it doesn’t stop there, The pub’s owners once claimed to have been tossed out of their bed while they slept.

Another time the barmaid, all alone in the basement, was hit on the head by a barrel top which had been thrown. Remember your hardhats if you pop in here for a pint!

The Red Lion

Paranormal investigators who visited this pub said they reported the strange sound of phantom footsteps and some even felt seasickness overcome them while they were there.

One of the area’s oldest pubs also has one of the longest haunted pasts. Since its original incarnation as the Swan Inn in the late 1700s, the Red Lion is believed by some to have been haunted by the ghost of a former prostitute and her beloved dog.

Amateur ghost hunters should also listen out for the sound of phantom hoofs and bells mysteriously ringing themselves.

The Royal Fountain Hotel

Now residential flats, this former hotel has hosted the likes of George II and Lord Nelson. Now it is better known for hosting a range of ghost and ghouls.

They include a crying baby, an eighteenth century man making non-existent cups of tea and a tall gaunt man clad in bandages.  Former hotel guests reported sound of chains clinking.

Sheerness Docks

On Sheerness Docks, a shiphand claimed to have seen a tall apparition in Elizabethan clothing walking ABOVE the road.

As the ghost reached the Garrison Port Fort he passed through the wall, disappearing completely.

Ghosts of Sheppey

Photo credit: Kent Online

The Ferry House Inn

Overlooking the Swale Estuary, The Ferry House Inn is a Grade II listed 16th century building.  Tragically, in 1954, a local man drowned when his boat capsized. Staff believe his spirit haunts the pub.  They repeatedly report the unusual feeling of being watched while they work.

During a vigil at the inn in 2004, paranormal investigators heard noises coming from the cellar and photographed a spirit they believed to be that of the drowned man.

The Shurland Hotel

This hotel has gained worldwide infamy due to CCTV footage showing potential poltergeist activity there.

In one video, a pint of beer appeared to slide across a table and smash onto the floor without being touched.

Staff have also reported hearing strange noises throughout the hotel. Lights that turn on and off in the rooms, locks that unlock themselves and many other unexplained issues. One guest claimed to have seen a little girl appear at the foot of one of the bed in one of the rooms.

Ghosts of Swale

So there you have it, our Halloween blog on ghosts in Swale, do you think we’ve missed any? Do you live with a ghostly roommate? If so, we would love to hear from you, contact us via hello@harrisonshomes.co.uk

And remember, don’t have nightmares!

Tag: Halloween

Buying a home is a big decision, but what if you fell in love with a home that was said to be haunted? Would You Buy A Haunted House?

It’s not something that estate agents have to think about too often, but some houses are harder to sell than others, due to some buyers superstitions.  Luckily we don’t have a road called Elm Street in Swale.  However, we do have plenty of houses numbered 13, some that are next to, or have a view of, a graveyard, which give many buyers the jitters.  Also, Faversham is believed to be the most haunted town in the UK.  And with the whole of Swale having such a rich and colourful history, the chances are a house that is believed to have a ghostly guest or two will come up for sale every now and then.

Would this put you off putting in an offer on your dream home?  We think there are a few pluses to buying home with a spirit in residence.  Read on, and then let us know, would you buy a haunted house?

You could save money

That homely feeling

Not all spirits are bad.  Having a ghost in residence, doesn’t mean your furniture will start flying around or things will go bump in the night.

We use the strapline “A house is a building, A home is a feeling”  Many buyers report having a feeling, a sense that they are ‘coming home’ when they view the house of their dreams.  What if that feeling is partially due to a spirit that has been waining for someone like you to come and share their space?  It could be like having a ghostly roommate.

A fantastic project

If you love a bit of research and history, a haunted house is perfect for you – assuming you want to know what’s behind the haunting. And it’s something you can involve your whole family in.  Finding out the history of your home can be addictive, even without a resident ghost.  You can find information out from local libraries and museums.  Join local social media groups.  Talk to your new neighbours and community to find out what they know. It’s also a great way to meet new people and make new friends.

Your Halloween parties will be epic

Who doesn’t want to visit a “haunted house” for Halloween?  If you have a spiritual resident or two, why not embrace them.  Get the pumpkins carved, the decorations out and invite some friends and neighbours over to have some spooky fun.

There you have it. We know there is a buyer for every home, even a haunted house can through up less problems than a home survey can.  So, the question is, would you buy a haunted house?

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