Portsmouth Shaking Bed Haunting
Deep within the historic HMNB Portsmouth naval base, a chilling encounter took place in September 1990. A witness woke up to an eerie feeling, as if something was sitting on his legs, but there was nothing to be seen. The room had fallen cold, and an unsettling presence lingered. Suddenly, the bed began shaking violently, and the witness felt his legs being lifted slightly, before his top half was also lifted at a forty-five degree angle. This bizarre and frightening experience left the witness shaken.
Interestingly, the HMS Nelson, which was likely linked to this haunting, has since been demolished. This naval base has a long and storied history, dating back to the 16th century. While details of the witness's experience are scarce, it's clear that this event was a harrowing and unexplained occurrence. The fact that the bed shook violently and the witness felt as if being lifted suggests a potentially malevolent or mischievous entity at play.
HMNB Portsmouth has been in operation since the 16th century.
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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 HMNB Portsmouth

The Union Inn
Cowes, Isle of Wight

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

The Royal Hotel
Ventnor, Isle of Wight