The Dark Side of the Wight

Considered to be one of the most haunted places in the world, the Isle of Wight certainly has more than its fair share of ghosts, ghouls and mysterious tales.

People have been researching paranormal activity here for decades and, as Hallowe’en approaches, the scare-factor steps up a gear as the Island plays host to many creepy events, guaranteed to get you screaming. Read Lindsay Becker’s guide to having a spooktacular time on ‘Ghost Island’. But be warned, you may need to sleep with the light on…

When discussing ghosts of the Isle of Wight, it is unlikely that a conversation won’t include at least one of our local experts. Gay Baldwin first began researching the Island’s ‘other’ residents back in 1977 when working for the local paper. What started as a story soon became a lifelong passion and now, eight ghost books later, Gay remains the definitive authority on true, local supernatural encounters. Her first book, The Original Ghosts of the Isle of Wight, has sold over 100,000 copies since its release in 1977 and can be found in many a local’s home. This collection of genuine stories, told first-hand, have become ingrained in the Island’s ghost-lore and have inspired one of the Island’s most popular spooky events…

Founded by local resident Marc Tuckey, inspired by Gay Baldwin’s encounters, the Isle of Wight Ghost Experience has been running for over two decades and produces a range of immersive guided ghost tours around some of the Island’s most supernatural hotspots. Grisly, well researched historic tales play out in street theatre at various locations including Ventnor Botanic Garden (more on this below), Newport, Shanklin Old Village and Carisbrooke Castle. There is always a special programme of events for Hallowe’en too.

While a beautiful place to visit now, Ventnor Botanic Garden is also one of the most haunted places on the Island. Once the grounds of the Royal National Hospital, a medical facility at the forefront of the fight against tuberculosis. Keep your eyes out for phantoms, including a young ghost girl, Victorian-era nurses in uniform and gardeners in Victorian-style clothing working in the walled garden. You might even notice a slight smell of antiseptic in the air as the ghostly history is retained upon the grounds. While those who have worked there will tell you of doors slamming, drawers opening of their own accord and conversations with people who disappear as quickly as they appear.

One of the most well known and probably the goriest tale, is that of Michael (also known as Michal or Micah) Morey in 1737. Resenting his 14 year old grandson – who was considered very handsome and had recently come into some money – Morey’s patience ran out when the boy was late with his dinner. He taught him a lesson with his axe, killing him instantly. Morey was hanged and his corpse left to rot on the gibbet at Gallows Hill, near The Hare and Hounds, until it became “an offence to eye and nostril”. The gibbet-post, complete with a notch cut in it beside the date of his execution, can be seen in the pub and the spirit of Michael is said to roam nearby.

Knighton Gorges near Newchurch is said to be the most haunted place on the Island, with many a car said to stop of its own accord when driving past late at night. A pair of gate posts are all that remain of the old manor house, said to be home to murder, suicide and insanity. Ghost watchers have reported a coach and horses thundering down the driveway, strange stone creatures on the pillars and, upon each New Year’s Eve, the old house itself is said to reappear, to the sound of music, laughter and general revelry.

Perhaps the most unusual tale took place at Billingham Manor, still standing today as a private home. A notable manor house, it welcomed many guests over the centuries including King Charles I, who is said to have ridden out to the manor from his captivity at Carisbrooke Castle to discuss escape plans with then owners, the Worsley family.

More recent guests include Sir Shane Leslie, Irish-born diplomat, writer and first cousin of Sir Winston Churchill, in the late 1920s. After many ghostly goings-on, the finale of his stay occurred when, having been woken by noises in the night and going to investigate, he and the household found a sliding panel in the dining room (the house had smuggling connections and many secret stairways and rooms) through which a strange light glowed. Upon sliding open the panel, it is said that everyone in the room saw the apparition of the severed head of King Charles I! This apparition has been seen more than once and was suggested to coincide with an Island execution. Sir Shane Leslie checked and, on the date of his sighting, a convicted murderer had been hung at the local prison…

There are also plenty of events taking place over the Hallowe’en period on the Isle of Wight. Take a look at our event explorer to see what’s happening this year. So, make the most of your time here on Ghost Island, but remember to pay heed to the things that go bump in the night…

ℹ️ A version of this article first appeared in Wightlife magazine.