The Hanged Man's Footsteps
The Dolphin Public House in Botley, Hampshire, is home to a rather unsettling phenomenon - the sound of echoing footfalls. It's as if someone, or something, is pacing the premises, but there's no one in sight. Strange noises coming from the cellar only add to the eerie atmosphere. Legend has it that the pub is haunted by the ghost of a man who was hanged on the premises after a mock trial went horribly wrong. It's a tale that's been passed down through the years, leaving many to wonder if the restless spirit still roams the pub.
Digging deeper into the history of the Dolphin Public House reveals a rather dark past. The pub has stood on High Street in Botley for centuries, and it's believed that the hanged man's spirit has been making his presence known for just as long. While there's no concrete evidence to support the claims of paranormal activity, the stories of echoing footfalls and unexplained noises have been documented over the years. It's said that the man who was hanged was a victim of a miscarriage of justice, and his spirit has been seeking justice, or perhaps revenge, ever since.
The Dolphin Public House has been a staple of Botley's High Street for centuries, with a history dating back to the medieval period.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
White Lady of The Dolphin Hotel
The Dolphin Hotel, Southampton
The White Lady is a well-known ghost at The Dolphin Hotel in Southampton. This historic inn has been welcoming guests for centuries and is said to have been visited by Jane Austen herself. One of its most famous residents, the White Lady is believed to be the spirit of a woman who died on the premises during the Victorian era. Her presence is often associated with heartbreak, making her a fascinating figure in local folklore.
The Two Kates of Botley
Road across area once known as Kit Nox Hill, Botley
This stretch of road in Botley, Hampshire, has a reputation for being haunted by a phantom figure known locally as one of two Kates. The confusion over the identity of the ghost centres around Kate Hunt, a local witch, and Kate Knox, who tragically drowned herself in a pond near the hill. Locals have reported strange occurrences and sightings along this road, but the details of these events are shrouded in mystery. The area's history and the dual identity of the ghost only add to the intrigue, making it a fascinating case for those interested in the paranormal.
Crying Lady of Swanick
Station, Swanick
Swanick Railway Station, a typically unassuming stop on the rail network, has a haunting reputation thanks to a rather remarkable encounter. On a Sunday night in 1971, a lone traveller waiting for the last train noticed a distressed woman sitting beside him. Between sobs, she repeated 'I cant go back' - a phrase that seemed ominous but was largely dismissed by the man until the train pulled up and he reluctantly boarded. Feeling guilty about leaving her, he phoned the police the next morning to report the incident and ask if someone could check on her wellbeing. What he discovered would chill him to the bone.
Mary the Maidservant Ghost
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The Berkeley Homes Imperial Apartments on Canute Road in Southampton have been witness to a rather tragic and intriguing haunting. Mary, a maidservant, is said to have died of a broken heart back in 1900 after discovering her boyfriend was being unfaithful. Her spirit has been haunting this area ever since, reportedly causing electrical interference, which was documented by the Ghost Club as one of the first cases of its kind.
Buster Crabb's Haunting
Keppels Head Hotel, Portsmouth
The Keppels Head Hotel in Portsmouth is said to be haunted by the ghost of Buster Crabb, a renowned Navy frogman. Crabb vanished while attempting to spy on a Soviet warship which docked at Portsmouth during the Cold War. His final night on earth is believed by some to have been spent at this very hotel. The mysterious circumstances surrounding his disappearance have led to numerous reports of paranormal activity within the hotel's walls. Guests and staff have experienced strange occurrences that cannot be explained, fuelling speculation that Crabb's spirit still roams the building.
Phantom Cyclist of Bishops Waltham
Undisclosed main road, Bishops Waltham
Bishops Waltham, a charming town in Hampshire, is home to a rather unusual ghost story. In 1991, two friends were approached by a mysterious woman dressed in black, who was holding a bike that looked like it belonged in a Victorian-era photograph. She asked for directions to Dean, and although she only responded with a simple 'yes' during their conversation, her presence was undeniably striking. When the witnesses briefly looked away, she climbed onto her bike and vanished into thin air, leaving behind a trail of questions and a healthy dose of bewilderment.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Dolphin Public House

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Albion Hotel
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