Butlin's Clacton Ghost
Clacton's seafront was once home to a popular holiday camp, Butlin's, which opened its doors on 11 June 1938. However, its early years were marked by turmoil as it briefly closed to be used as a training base during World War II. A local legend tells the tale of a soldier who met his demise in a fight at the camp's ballroom, where he was stabbed and killed. Following his tragic death, the soldier's spirit began to haunt the area. The camp stood near the historic Martello Tower, a notable landmark in the area.
The Second World War broke out shortly after Butlin's Clacton opened, and the camp was repurposed as a military training base. It was during this time that the soldier was killed in a fight at the ballroom. Although the camp was eventually demolished in the mid-1980s and the area redeveloped, it seems the ghostly presence moved on at the same time. The site where Butlin's once stood is now a memory, but the legend of the soldier's ghost lives on. The area has undergone significant changes over the years, but its history remains an integral part of Clacton's heritage.
Butlin's Clacton operated during World War II as a military training base.
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Nearby Haunted Places
The Drowned Bride's Sister
on, Clacton
Clacton is a seaside town in Essex that boasts beautiful beaches and a rich history. One of its most intriguing ghost stories revolves around a tragic event that took place over a dozen years before a wedding. A bride's sister, who had drowned in 1942, made a chilling post-mortem appearance in several photographs taken at her sibling's wedding in 1954. The sister's ghostly presence has left many questions unanswered and has become a fascinating case study for paranormal enthusiasts.
Clacton Poltergeist Activity
on, Clacton
The Inn in Clacton-on-Sea has a reputation for being a bit of a hotspot for paranormal activity. It's not a particularly old building, but it has seen its fair share of strange occurrences over the years. Guests and staff have reported all sorts of bizarre happenings, from unexplained noises to objects moving on their own. It seems that the inn is occasionally troubled by minor outbreaks of poltergeist activity, which can be a bit unsettling for those staying or working there. The activity is usually centred around objects falling or moving, which can be quite disconcerting.
The Hand Holding Ghost
on, Clacton
Clacton's Old Inn has a ghostly presence that's as gentle as it is unsettling. The landlady once reported feeling a hand slip into hers as she approached a door, assuming it was her husband playing a trick on her. But when she turned to chat with him, she was alone. It's a sensation that's been shared by many visitors who feel like they're being watched, even when they're on their own.
Clacton School Fairy Sighting
on, Clacton
Clacton's school playing field was the unlikely setting for a bizarre encounter in 1982. Two girls were out on the field when they spotted a couple of tiny, bearded men in pointy hats, busily digging a hole. The little old men were described as looking like garden gnomes, complete with long beards and pointy hats. The girls must have been quite startled to see these fairy folk at work, but they watched in fascination as the tiny men went about their business.
Monks
on, Clacton
Clacton's roads have long been home to a most intriguing phenomenon - the sightings of phantom monks. Residents and travellers alike have reported catching glimpses of these ghostly figures drifting along the streets, their presence seemingly as elusive as the wind. While there's little concrete evidence to pinpoint the exact origin of these apparitions, their reputation has become an integral part of local folklore.
Clacton Poltergeist Haunting
on, Clacton
Clacton-on-Sea, a seaside town in Essex, is home to a rather unusual poltergeist haunting. A shopkeeper, who hired a room to store surplus stock, reported that items would rearrange themselves overnight. It was as if the room had a mind of its own, with stock moving from one side to the other while the shopkeeper was away. This bizarre phenomenon occurred in the late twentieth century, leaving the shopkeeper and anyone who heard about it scratching their heads.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near on

The Mistley Thorn Hotel
Mistley (near Manningtree), Essex

The Rose and Crown
Colchester, Essex
Brook Red Lion Hotel
Colchester, Essex