The White Hart Inn on Mersea Island has a long history of paranormal activity. Behind the bar, a ghostly figure of an older woman wearing a blue velvet dress has been spotted by numerous people. The atmosphere is said to be quite eerie, especially in the evenings. It's not clear when these sightings first began, but the inn's reputation as a haunted location has endured.

Established many years ago, the White Hart Inn has seen its fair share of smugglers and traders coming and going. In fact, a secret tunnel connected the cellar to the nearby churchyard, which was likely used for illicit activities. Adding to the inn's ghostly reputation, a dog is said to haunt the cellar. Although the inn closed its doors in 2013, its paranormal legacy lives on. The identity of the little old lady in blue velvet remains a mystery, but her presence is still felt by those who have visited the inn.