Skip to main content

Battersea Poltergeist Haunting

63 Wycliffe Road, SW11, London Poltergeist Post-War

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.

The historical context of this haunting is as fascinating as the events themselves. The period of activity, spanning from 1956 to 1968, coincides with significant social and cultural change in Britain. The Hitchings family, who experienced the haunting firsthand, documented the events meticulously, providing a wealth of information for paranormal researchers. One of the most compelling aspects of the Donald haunting is its seemingly benign nature; despite the initial fright, the entity's actions did not appear to be malevolent. The haunting ceased abruptly when Shirley married and moved away, suggesting a possible connection between the entity's presence and her. This intriguing case continues to be of interest to those studying poltergeist activity and the psychology of hauntings.

Historical Context

The haunting occurred during a period of significant social change in Britain, from the late 1950s to the late 1960s.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Private Residence
Activity Types
Visual Audio Writing
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
No Public Access
Date / Era
1956-1968
Postcode Area
SW11

Nearby Haunted Places

Poltergeist 0.4 mi

Dancing Matchsticks Poltergeist

Eland Road, SW11

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.

Private Residence Early 20th Century
Read Full Story
Apparition 0.5 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 0.6 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
Poltergeist 0.6 mi

Gresham Arms Poltergeist

Gresham Arms Hotel, SW9

The Gresham Arms Hotel in London's SW9 area was once home to a mischievous poltergeist. A spiritualist visiting the hotel informed its occupants that the unexplained ringing of bells was due to a spirit who had taken up residence there. According to the spiritualist, the spirit was unable to leave the hotel having dropped dead at the bar back in 1900. This unsettling presence was characterised by its ability to ring bells unaided by human hand, a phenomenon that was both intriguing and unnerving for those who experienced it.

Hotel Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 0.6 mi

The Condemned Cellar Ghosts

Mason's Arms Public House, W2

Deep in the heart of London, the Mason's Arms Public House stands on Upper Berkeley Street, its cellars holding a dark secret. For centuries, these very rooms were used to hold prisoners awaiting their fate at the nearby Tyburn Tree, a site of public hangings now marked by a simple plaque. It's said that the presence of these condemned souls still lingers, a chilling reminder of the pub's gruesome past.

Public House Georgian
Read Full Story
Apparition 0.6 mi

Ghostly Canine Apparition Wandsworth

523 Wandsworth Road, SW18

On Wandsworth Road, a rather unusual ghostly sighting has been reported. The apparition of a black and white dog has been seen running through a building at number 523, seemingly without any apparent connection to the living inhabitants. Over a four-month period in the 1960s, multiple people witnessed the ghostly canine repeatedly dash through the premises, only to vanish mysteriously through a locked back door.

Private Residence Victorian
Read Full Story

Stay Nearby

Haunted hotels and accommodation near 63 Wycliffe Road