Skip to main content

Dancing Matchsticks Poltergeist

Eland Road, SW11, London Poltergeist Early 20th Century

Eland Road in Lavender Hill, London, was once home to a rather unusual and intriguing poltergeist case. The Robinson household was besieged by a mischievous entity that hurled lumps of coal at anyone who dared to enter. The trouble began in November 1927 and continued unabated until December of the same year. The family was understandably shaken, and their situation took a turn for the bizarre when the father was taken away by the police, who suspected him of being behind the disturbances. However, the poltergeist's antics continued even after his removal.

This curious case took a dramatic turn when witnesses observed a line of matchsticks dancing unaided down the staircase. It was this spectacle that finally brought an end to the entity's activities. The Dancing Matches poltergeist, as it came to be known, left the Robinson household as suddenly as it had begun its reign of terror. The incident remains one of the more unusual cases of poltergeist activity on record, with the dancing matchsticks being a particularly memorable aspect of the haunting.

Historical Context

The haunting occurred in a residential area of London during the early 20th century.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Private Residence
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Private Property
Date / Era
November - December 1927
Postcode Area
SW11

Nearby Haunted Places

Apparition 0.1 mi

Wimbledon Chase Ghost

William Hill turf accountants, SW19

Deep in the heart of Wimbledon, a most unusual haunting has been reported at William Hill's turf accountants. This unassuming office building holds a dark secret - the lingering presence of a former occupant named Bob. He lived above the bookmakers, and after his passing in 1999, his restless spirit began to make itself known. Footsteps echo through the empty corridors at night, a chilling reminder that Bob's spirit hasn't moved on.

Workplace Late 20th century
Read Full Story
Apparition 0.4 mi

Flying Brandy Ghost

John Mulligan's Public House, Dublin

John Mulligan's Public House on Poolbeg Street in Dublin has a rather unusual ghost story to tell. Staff at this bustling pub have reported some strange occurrences over the years, particularly in the 1990s and 2000s. One barman claimed to have seen a bottle of brandy fly off the shelf, while others have heard unexplained knocking sounds and footsteps coming from empty parts of the pub. It seems that the Flying Brandy ghost likes to make its presence known.

Public House Unknown
Read Full Story
Apparition 0.4 mi

Lord Buckhurst Ghost

Old Swan Public House, SW11

The Old Swan Public House in London's SW11 has a long history dating back centuries, but it's the ghost of Lord Buckhurst that draws in the paranormal enthusiasts. Although the site was rebuilt in the 1960s, the legend of Lord Buckhurst lives on. His ghostly presence has been noted, but sightings have been scarce since the reconstruction. Some believe that Lord Buckhurst's spirit still roams the premises, a reminder of the pub's rich history.

Public House Unknown
Read Full Story
Poltergeist 0.4 mi

Battersea Poltergeist Haunting

63 Wycliffe Road, SW11

In a now demolished house at 63 Wycliffe Road, Battersea, a most intriguing poltergeist haunting took place from 1956 to 1968. The entity, affectionately nicknamed Donald by the Hitchings family, focused its attention on daughter Shirley, unleashing a torrent of paranormal activity that included loud bangs and scratches at night. These unsettling sounds weren't confined to the family; neighbours also reported hearing them, making it clear that Donald's presence was not just a figment of the family's imagination. Over the course of the haunting, Donald communicated with the family in a remarkable way, writing over three thousand messages. These messages included one where Donald claimed to be Louis XVII of France, a claim that has sparked much speculation about the entity's true identity.

Private Residence Post-War
Read Full Story
Apparition 0.4 mi

Whistling Stone of Clapham

Clapham Common, SW4

Clapham Common, a sprawling green space in south London, is home to a rather eerie phenomenon known as the Whistling Stone. This unsettling occurrence was said to take place on the common, where a peculiar whistling sound was heard emanating from a stone. The tune was reportedly quite sad, and one story behind the haunting suggests it was created by a murdered pedlar. The stone itself was eventually removed around 1900, but the legend of the Whistling Stone has lived on.

Public Park Victorian
Read Full Story
UFO 0.5 mi

Mysterious Flashing Light

Sky above Clapham Junction, SW11

Clapham Junction, a bustling railway hub in south London, has been the site of numerous paranormal sightings over the years. One of the most intriguing incidents occurred in 1981, when a pilot waiting for a train observed a flashing light in the sky. The light would periodically disappear and reappear elsewhere in an instant, leaving the witness baffled. The pilot, now a retired training captain, was able to observe the object for an extended period, even tracking its movement as he travelled to his home in Wimbledon.

Railway Station Late 20th Century
Read Full Story

Stay Nearby

Haunted hotels and accommodation near Eland Road