7 mysterious places to visit in Hampshire

Hampshire is a pleasant and pretty county to visit, but there are some strange and dark tales lurking beneath its surface. If getting spooked sounds like your cup of tea, then read on as we have picked some of the most mysterious places to visit in Hampshire.

1 The Great Hall

Winchester has a rich cultural heritage and it would be surprising if it didn’t have a haunted spot or two. One of the most beautiful is the Great Hall, one of the only surviving parts of Winchester Castle. It features colourful stained-glass windows, stone floor and a round table which hangs at the end of the hall. This table is believed to be the very round table from the King Arthur legend. The table has been dated back to around 1290, but whether you believe the legend is up to you. Entry is only £2 a ticket and the hall is open all year round.

2 The Rufus Stone

The Rufus Stone can be found in the woods near to Minstead in the New Forest. The stone stands in the spot where King William II - William Rufus - met his death on August 2nd 1100. It is unknown whether his death was a hunting accident or murder, as his hunting partner Walter Tyrell fled abroad immediately after the incident. It is said that on the anniversary of his death, the ghost of Rufus can be seen following a trail of blood along nearby country tracks… spooky!

3 Vernham Dean

The village of Vernham Dean is located 7 miles from Andover. It was one of the many places hit by the plague in the 16th century and this is the reason behind its supposed haunting. The story goes that the vicar deserted the villagers in their time of need and now his ghost can be seen struggling along the Chute Causeway, making his way back to the village. Nowadays the village lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty, so it’s perfect for ghost hunters also looking for an area to walk or cycle.

4 Porchester Castle

Originally built in the late 3rd century, Portchester Castle is an impressive building on the Hampshire coast. Its history is equally impressive and there have been many sightings of ghostly spirits here, including a spectral horseman and a black monk. To make matters worse, evidence of witchcraft and satanic rituals have been found in the graveyard inside the castle walls. Entry costs £5 per adult, £3 per child and is a fun day out for all ages.

5 Montagu Arms, Beaulieu

Beaulieu village is picturesque and sweet and the Montagu Arms Hotel found in the village is now a charming pub and Michelin starred restaurant. However, the building has been rated as one of the five most haunted places in the UK and is well known for its unexplainable happenings. Numerous uninvited guests have been seen in this hotel and there have been reports of strange smells, strange lights and odd noises. The ghosts even caught the attention of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, who claimed to have contacted one of the spirits during a séance.

6 Portsdown Tunnels

Portsdown Hill provides fantastic views over the city of Portsmouth, which is why is has been used so extensively for military purposes. There are several forts on the hill which have now been transformed for different purposes. Legend has it that there are secret tunnels running underneath the hill linking the forts all the way down to the Naval base in Portsmouth and even to the sea forts in the Solent.

7 Wymering Manor

Also in the Portsmouth area is Wymering Manor, the oldest house in the city. There have been simply masses of paranormal occurrences here over the years – including moving items and whispering children. In 2013 the Manor opened for the first time to the public, so you can now make your own paranormal investigations of the house, if you dare….

Those looking to explore a different side to Hampshire on their holidays should scratch beneath the surface. There are many spooky and mysterious places in Hampshire that should keep you entertained during your visit.