From the ghost of an infamous highwayman sat at the bar to the ghost of a lady haunting the toilets – here are five of the reportedly most haunted pubs in south east London.
We’ve covered some of south east London’s oldest pubs, but what about its most haunted ones?
Today we’ve rounded up five of south east London’s allegedly most haunted pubs and a bit about the ghosts that are said to haunt them:
Queens Head, Chislehurst
Chislehurst has a longstanding reputation for its hauntings, primarily from the famous Chislehurst Caves, where a number of ghostly sightings have been seen, as well as two of its pubs.
Located on Chislehurst High Street, you may not assume that the Queens Head, a modern looking pub, would be haunted.
According to its website, the pub is said to be haunted by not one, not two, but three ghosts who are said to frequent parts of the pub.
One ghost by the name of Grace is said to frequent the cellar, whilst the ghost of a man is said to sit in a rocking chair.
Finally, the ghost of a child is believed to frequent the stairs of the pub.
The Bickley Arms, Chislehurst
The Bickley Arms is situated very close to Chislehurst Caves, with records dating back as early as the 13th century.
According to author Neil Arnold, the pub is believed to have been haunted by a woman wearing white, with one report alleging that the apparition was the same famous woman in white said to haunt the nearby caves.
Room Number Two, which now serves as a pub restaurant, was also believed to have been the most haunted part of the building.
If you visit, don’t be surprised if you feel especially cold even during the height of summer, as the spectre is said to cause cold spots within the building.
Ye Olde Whyte Lyon, Orpington
Ye Olde Whyte Lyon is as old as it sounds, with records dating it back as early as the 1600s according to Neil Arnold.
If you plan on making a trip to the toilet during a drinking session, don’t be surprised if anything out of the ordinary happens.
The ghost of an old woman is said to haunt the pub, particularly its toilets.
Toilet doors have been said to slam and lock of their own accord, and motion sensors are said to have been set off when nobody is there.
Chequers, Bickley
Located in the borough of Bromley, Chequers is one of the oldest pubs in south east London and one of the UK’s most haunted pubs.
The pub has been referenced in a number of books, online references and guides which all claim that it is haunted.
It is believed to be haunted by three ghosts, with notorious highwayman Dick Turpin being its most famous ghost.
His ghost has been seen wearing a large plumed hat at the bar or sat upstairs writing using a quill.
The ghost of a French soldier or policeman, referred to as Barnard, has also been seen, who was believed to have been stabbed to death.
The ghost of a woman wearing heeled shoes has also been sighted, making a lot of noise as she slams doors in her wake.
Nags Head, Welling
The Nags Head on Welling High Street is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former staff member by the name of Janet.
According to Greene King Pubs, Janet worked at the pub for twenty-five years, and it would seem that she still regularly turns up for work beyond the grave.
On a number of occasions, chefs claim to have seen the outline of a person wearing kitchen attire walking through a wall.
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