Mysterious Black Cat Sighting
On the rolling hills of the South Downs, just outside Eastbourne in Sussex, a rather unusual sighting took place on 1 July 1979. A witness described seeing a large black cat, roughly the size of a small pony, passing within three meters of him. The sheer scale of this feline creature must have been quite startling, especially given its sleek black coat which seemed to blend into the shadows of the rural landscape.
While there's limited historical context available for this specific sighting, the area of the South Downs has long been associated with various forms of folklore and supernatural legends. The fact that this large black cat was seen in an area known for its natural beauty and perhaps a hint of mystique adds to the intrigue. The witness's account stands as a singular but compelling piece of evidence, leaving room for speculation about the origins and explanations behind this enigmatic encounter.
The South Downs have a rich history and folklore, with various supernatural tales documented across the centuries.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Eastbourne's Haunted Lamb Inn Apparitions
The Lamb Inn, Eastbourne
The Lamb Inn in Eastbourne is said to be one of the town's most haunted locations. In the bar area, staff and customers have reported seeing a tall man with blonde, curly hair, who vanishes into thin air as soon as anyone tries to approach him. Another apparition that has been spotted is an old man sitting in a chair at the back of the bar, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.
The Striding Man of Eastbourne
Upperton Lane, Eastbourne
Upperton Lane in Eastbourne is a quiet, unassuming alleyway that's home to a rather unusual ghostly resident. On a dark evening in May 2023, a witness caught a glimpse of a dark, slightly hunched figure striding along this very lane. The figure moved silently, almost gliding across the ground rather than walking, which only added to the eerie atmosphere. The witness briefly lost sight of the figure, and when they looked again, it had vanished into thin air - seemingly without anywhere to have gone.
Albino Dwarf of Claremont School
Claremont school, Eastbourne
Claremont School in Eastbourne has a rather unusual ghost story to its name. Back in 1918, a novelist named Pamela Frankau, who was a pupil at the school at the time, claimed to have seen a tiny, albino creature scurrying across her bedroom floor. The little being apparently made a quick escape via the landing, fading from view as it went. This curious encounter has been talked about for years, with many wondering what on earth this strange creature could have been.
Eastbourne Waterworks Ghost
Southern Water treatment plant, Eastbourne
Deep beneath the streets of Eastbourne, in the tunnels of the Southern Water treatment plant on Prince William Parade, a strange presence has been detected. Workers have reported catching glimpses of a non-descript figure lurking in the shadows, while disembodied voices have been heard coming from behind the tunnel walls. The atmosphere down here is tense, to say the least. It's little wonder that a paranormal investigator was called in to try and get to the bottom of things, although their findings were ultimately inconclusive.
The Breathing Ghost of Eastbourne
Retirement home, Eastbourne
In the quiet town of Eastbourne, Sussex, a rather unusual haunting has been reported at a retirement home situated on Gorringe Road. It's said that after the passing of one of the residents, his presence was still felt in the sitting room, particularly after the last meal of the day. The strange phenomenon reported was the sound of heavy breathing, which seemed to emanate from nowhere and could be heard by those present. It's a curious case that has piqued the interest of paranormal enthusiasts and those drawn to the unexplained.
Singing Nun Ghosts
Chapel Studios, Eastbourne
Chapel Studios in Eastbourne has a reputation for being one of the most haunted recording studios in the UK. In January 2002, a heavy rock group was laying down tracks when they claimed that their music provoked the ghosts of nuns to sing loudly, in an attempt to drown out the contemporary noise. The studio is built on the site of a former nunnery, and it seems that the nuns didn't take too kindly to the loud music. The rock group reportedly captured some compelling evidence of the paranormal activity on tape.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near South Downs bordering town

The Lamb Inn
Eastbourne, East Sussex

Royal Victoria Hotel
St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex

The Regency Hotel
Brighton, East Sussex