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.

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.

Bingo hall along Clapham High Street, SW4

This Clapham High Street bingo hall has a dark history that's said to be reenacted by the ghost of Nellie Melba. In 1973, staff members reported seeing her headless shade near the area of the former stage. According to the story, Nellie fell from the roof of this former theatre after climbing up in a drunken haze. It's said that her spirit still roams the building, a chilling reminder of the tragic events that took place there.

Clapham Common, SW11

Clapham Common was the scene of a bizarre and terrifying encounter back in October 1837. Mary Stevens was making her way through the area, heading towards Lavender Hill, when she was suddenly attacked by a figure with corpse-like clawed hands. The assailant ripped at her clothing, causing Mary to scream, which in turn sent the figure fleeing. The commotion attracted the attention of others in the area, but despite a search, no one was found. What's interesting is that this wasn't an isolated incident - the following day, in the same neighbourhood, the same figure - who would later become notorious as Spring Heeled Jack - jumped out in front of a coach, causing it to crash. The figure's escape over a tall wall only added to the mystique of this elusive and menacing character.

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.

Stockwell, SW9

Stockwell was abuzz with a most curious case back in 1772. An old lady had been driven from her home by a 'poltergeist' that seemed to take great delight in hurling crockery about. The noise and chaos were quite unbearable, and it was only a matter of time before the truth behind the haunting was uncovered. It turned out that the culprit was not a malevolent spirit at all, but rather a cunning maid with a penchant for mischief.