The Lady in Brown of Hanford House
Hanford House in Bryanston, Dorset, is home to a very polite and somewhat enigmatic presence known as the Lady in Brown. This gentle shade has been observed by visitors over the years, and her behaviour is as intriguing as it is benign. She is known to curtsey to those who enter the building, a gesture that no doubt would have been considered proper etiquette in the house's former life as a private residence. The Lady in Brown also seems to take an interest in the well-being of children, watching over them as they go to bed. Her presence is a comforting one, and it's little wonder that she has become a cherished part of the house's history.
The history of Hanford House is closely tied to the Seymer family, who once owned the estate and were known to have kept white peacocks on the grounds. According to local legend, the Seymers believed that if the peacocks were to leave, their own time in the house would be limited. Unfortunately for the family, a disbelieving viscount disposed of the birds, and soon after, he passed away, leading to the house being sold. This piece of history adds a layer of intrigue to the haunting, suggesting that the Lady in Brown may be a former occupant or a lingering spirit connected to the Seymer family. While the exact nature of her presence is unclear, her actions suggest a caring and maternal instinct.
Former private residence of the Seymer family
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Bryanston Floating Figure Sighting
River and woods in the area, Bryanston
Deep in the Dorset countryside, near the quaint village of Bryanston, a mystifying sighting has been reported. A figure was seen floating across a road before vanishing into thin air on the riverbank. This bizarre incident occurred in 1986 and has left many questions unanswered. The location, with its serene river and dense woods, seems an unlikely setting for such a paranormal event, yet it was here that this inexplicable phenomenon took place.
Flying Bottle Poltergeist
Nelson's Wine Bar, Blandford Forum
Nelson's Wine Bar in Blandford Forum has a rather unusual reputation. It's said that a mischievous presence, possibly a female prisoner from the past, likes to throw bottles around. This poltergeist activity has been reported over the years, with some speculating that the restless spirit might have been locked up in the building at some point. The atmosphere upstairs is said to be particularly unsettling, with reports of children crying and unexplained noises.
The Old House Footsteps
The Old House, Blandford Forum
The Old House in Blandford Forum, Dorset, is home to a rather unusual haunting. It's said that when the house is empty, loud footsteps and dragging sounds can be heard coming from within. A neighbour, understandably spooked by the strange noises, reportedly called the police to investigate. Although the authorities found nothing out of the ordinary, the unexplained sounds persisted, leaving the neighbour and anyone else who might have heard them with a mystery on their hands.
Blandford Forum Ghostly Hunt
Woods in the area, Blandford Forum
Deep in the woods near Blandford Forum, a spine-tingling spectacle has been reported by locals and visitors alike. The sound of ghostly dogs, yelping and running through the underbrush, has been heard echoing through the trees. This eerie phenomenon is thought to be part of a phantom hunt, with some claiming to have seen a headless shuck roaming the woods, although its connection to the ghostly pack remains uncertain.
Aunt Charlotte's Ghostly Apparition
Portman, Bryanston
Bryanston's Portman estate has a long history of paranormal activity, dating back to the pre-twentieth century. The ghostly presence of Aunt Charlotte was so strong that the original building was actually pulled down and rebuilt in an attempt to rid the living of her spirit. Although Charlotte's ghost may have disappeared, her legacy lives on in the form of a phantom horse and carriage that now haunts the estate's drive. This eerie apparition is said to be a manifestation of the estate's complex and intriguing history.
The Woman in Black of Blandford
Crown Hotel, Blandford Forum
In the heart of Blandford Forum, the Crown Hotel stands tall, its historic walls bearing witness to a multitude of paranormal sightings. One of the most enduring and eerie is that of a ghostly woman clad in a black crinoline dress, seen wandering the first floor. A member of the cleaning staff caught a glimpse of her entering a room, only to find it empty upon investigation. This fleeting encounter has left many questions unanswered, fuelling speculation about the woman's identity and her connection to the hotel.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Hanford House

The New Inn
Cerne Abbas, Dorset

Original White Hart
Ringwood, Hampshire

The Acorn Inn
Evershot, Dorset