The Pushing Chair Haunting
Upminster Theatre is a hub of paranormal activity, with one of its most bizarre and unexplained phenomena being the Pushing Chair. People who sit in a certain chair in the auditorium experience the sensation of being pushed, which can be quite disconcerting. This strange occurrence is said to be linked to a tragic event in the theatre's past, when a person took their own life on the premises. It's a chilling reminder that some energies just wont settle.
The story goes that a suicide occurred at the theatre, leaving behind a residual energy that's still felt today. During one ghost hunt, investigators heard footsteps and tapping in the same area where the chair is located, but there was no one in sight. These experiences have led to speculation that the theatre is haunted by a restless spirit, possibly connected to the person who died there. While we cant know for certain, its clear that Upminster Theatre has a fascinating and unsettling history.
Theatre has been a hub for entertainment in Upminster since the 20th century
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
George the Hippodrome Ghost
Hippodrome, Colchester
The Hippodrome in Colchester, Essex, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former worker named George. He is believed to have met a tragic end, falling to his death at the very site where he once worked. Cleaners would often greet George, acknowledging his presence as if he were still among the living. They would see him appear, while others would hear strange voices and knocking sounds. It's a peculiar phenomenon that has been observed over the years, particularly during the 1980s when the haunting was most active.
Nun's Sweet Visitation
Essex Country Hospital, Colchester
At the Essex Country Hospital in Colchester, a rather unusual and intriguing haunting has been reported. A gentleman who was a patient on the children's ward recalled a visit from a nun one evening. She offered him a toffee, which he took and ate, and then, just a few seconds later, she vanished into thin air. This post-mortem manifestation, as it's known in paranormal circles, has left many questions and a few smiles. What was the nun doing on the ward, and why did she choose to give this particular child a sweet treat?
Ghostly Nurse Apparition
Military Hospital, Colchester
The Military Hospital in Colchester, Essex, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a nurse in a Victorian uniform. Several people have reported seeing her walking down a corridor, vanishing into thin air once she reaches the end. One patient even claimed that she had helped change his dirty bandages, suggesting a kind and caring spirit. The nurse's presence is a welcome one, especially considering the hospital's history as a wartime medical facility during World War II.
Ghostly Gardeners of Severalls
Severalls Hospital, Colchester
Severalls Hospital in Colchester, Essex, is said to be haunted by the ghostly apparitions of two men working in the gardens. On a rainy afternoon in the 1960s, two gardeners reported seeing a couple of featureless characters tending to the flower beds. Curious, the gardeners went to investigate, only to see the figures fade away into thin air. This bizarre encounter has left many questions unanswered, and the incident remains one of the most intriguing paranormal events to have occurred at Severalls.
Alice Mellor's Ghostly Presence
Red Lion Hotel, Colchester
The Red Lion Hotel in Colchester's bustling Lion Walk Shopping Precinct is home to a rather unsettling presence. Alice Mellor, a woman who met her demise in 1633, is said to haunt one of the hotel's rooms. Her ghost was reportedly so terrifying that the room was sealed up and forgotten about for many years. Thankfully, it seems that her malevolent energy has subsided, as no recent sightings have been reported. However, the hotel does share its space with another restless spirit - a monk who tragically lost his life in a fire.
Colchester's Haunted Brook Red Lion Hotel
Brook Red Lion Hotel, Colchester
The Brook Red Lion Hotel in Colchester is a historic inn with a rich history that dates back to the 17th century. It's said to be haunted by the ghost of Alice Miller, who was murdered on its premises after discovering she was pregnant by an influential figure. Guests and staff have reported various paranormal activities, including sightings of Alice's apparition walking between rooms 5 and 6 through a connecting door that was later bricked up. They've also seen her as a blur, interacting with them in the hotel.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Theatre
Brook Red Lion Hotel
Colchester, Essex

The Rose and Crown
Colchester, Essex

The Mistley Thorn Hotel
Mistley (near Manningtree), Essex

The Blue Boar Hotel
Maldon, Essex