The Ship Inn

Footsteps being heard and items vanishing only to reappear in unexpected locations are some of the more "tame" phenomena in this pub. Staff feel the sensation of being slapped on the back "in a friendly manner," and more dramatically, a cleaner was pushed down a short flight of steps; a barman was also grabbed and pushed when he was on the stairs to the attic, when he heard cackling and whimpering (it is said the disabled son of a Victorian landlord had his room up there and the sounds may be his attempt to communicate). The ghost of a lady is also to be seen at an upstairs window; it is said that she is the wife of a former landlord and her sad expression is due to her waiting for her son to return from a voyage to sea with Sir France Drake - sadly both men perished. It is also said a man in "richly coloured Elizabethan costume", said to be Drake himself, has been seen here as it was a favourite watering hole of his. In the restaurant area, a lady in a dark Elizabethan dress has been seen and napkins and menus have been found thrown around (before the room was carpetted in 2007, there was an occasion when, late at night, loud noises and crashing sounds were heard by the manager and coming down from his room he found tables, chairs and cutlery had been strewn around). A little girl in a long dress has also been reported sitting on the stairs and playing in the corridor, disappearing where a door used to be, and a landlord reported that she also cuddled next to him in bed; he would also sometimes wake up to find her standing at the end of his bed. She is known as "Polly". In addition, "Peters," a tall ghost in a cloak is also sometimes seen and has been heard rattling a large ring of keys; he is said to be a previous owner from the Victorian era and once peered over the landlord's shoulder while he was doing his accounts! There are also stories of many customers seeing a lady in old-fashioned clothing climbing the stairs (she may be the woman seen in the window, mentioned above).

Link: Greene King

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