The Gibbet of Jack Aitken
Portsmouth Harbour is home to a particularly unsettling ghostly presence, that of Jack Aitken, a man who met a grisly end. Aitken was hanged for attempting to commit arson in a naval dockyard, a crime that was punishable by death in the 18th century. His body was then displayed in a gibbet, a metal cage designed to deter others from committing similar crimes. The gibbet was left to rot, a grim warning to potential wrongdoers, and it's said that the sound of its chains clinking in the wind still echoes through the harbour to this day.
Historically, the use of gibbets was a common practice in England, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. Aitken's fate was a brutal one, and it's little wonder that his spirit is said to haunt the harbour area. The haunting manifestation is weather dependent, occurring on windy days when the sound of the gibbet's chains is most audible. While there are no recorded witness accounts of Aitken's ghostly apparition, the clinking of the chains is a well-documented phenomenon that has been experienced by many people over the years.
18th century England, during the Georgian period
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Theatre Royal Ghost Actor
Theatre Royal, Portsmouth
Theatre Royal in Portsmouth is said to be haunted by the ghost of an actor who met a tragic end. In the 1980s, a brown coloured figure was spotted sitting in the empty theatre, leaving many to wonder if it was the restless spirit of a performer from a bygone era. The atmosphere was further heightened when a piano was recorded playing a single note in the building after closing time, when all the doors had been closed and locked. This eerie incident has contributed to the theatre's reputation as one of Portsmouth's most haunted locations.
Buster Crabb's Ghostly Vigil
Sally Port Hotel, Portsmouth
The Sally Port Hotel in Portsmouth is said to be haunted by the ghost of Buster Crabb, a renowned Navy frogman who met his mysterious end while attempting to spy on a Soviet warship docked at Portsmouth during the Cold War. Crabb's final night on earth may have been spent within these hotel walls, and it's here that his spirit is believed to linger. Guests and staff have reported strange occurrences that could be attributed to Crabb's restless presence. The hotel's proximity to the naval base and the secrecy surrounding Crabb's mission only add to the enigma of his haunting.
The Evaporating Man of Portsmouth
Railway bridge, Portsmouth
On St Mary's Road in Portsmouth, there's a railway bridge that's home to a rather bizarre ghost story. In 2002, a driver was slowing down to take a better look at a man standing on the side of the bridge, which doesn't have a footpath. The driver thought something wasn't quite right about the guy, and their instincts were proved spot on as they watched the figure simply evaporate in their rear view mirror. It's a strange and unexplained phenomenon that's left many questions unanswered.
Phantom Soldiers of Hayling
Hayling Avenue, Portsmouth
Hayling Avenue in Portsmouth is home to a rather unusual ghost sighting. A woman walking down the road one day encountered a detachment of soldiers travelling in the opposite direction. What caught her attention was the old style of uniform they were wearing. It was only when she looked back and realised the soldiers had vanished that she knew she had witnessed something strange. This brief encounter has left many questions unanswered, and the identity of these phantom soldiers remains a mystery.
Portsmouth Navy Base Lights
HMNB Portsmouth, Portsmouth
Deep within the corridors of HMNB Portsmouth, a strange phenomenon has been observed by journalists working on the Navy News newspaper. Flashes of light have been seen emerging from the corridor outside their office, accompanied by an uncomfortable feeling that is hard to shake. It's as if the very fabric of the naval base is trying to convey a message, but what does it mean? The flashes of light are a mystery that has been puzzling those who have witnessed them.
Frog Fall Phenomenon
Copnor area, Portsmouth
In the Copnor area of Portsmouth, a bizarre incident took place on a stormy day in July 1954. The heavy rainfall was accompanied by a strange and unexplained occurrence - tiny frogs fell from the sky. This unusual event has become known as the Frog Fall phenomenon, leaving residents and paranormal enthusiasts alike to wonder about the cause behind this peculiar happening. The frogs, although small, added to the chaos of the storm, and their unexpected descent from above must have been quite a shock for those in the area.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Harbour area

The Union Inn
Cowes, Isle of Wight

Chichester Inn
Chichester, West Sussex
The Royal Hotel
Purfleet, Essex

The Royal Hotel
Ventnor, Isle of Wight