The wonderful County of Sussex has many layers of history spanning through the ages. With a rugged coastline, rolling South Downs, all dotted with ancient forts, medieval castles and mysterious woodlands, it’s no wonder we have so many haunted places in Sussex.
With this steep history comes dramatic stories, mystical folklore and reports of strange phenomena. We have old towns and villages, with old smugglers’ inns and historic period houses that are rumoured to have paranormal activity.
It’s no wonder that ghost stories and eerie legends linger in its villages, ruins, and countryside. These 5 haunted sites in Sussex, offers visitors a day out with a twist, whether you are a thrill seeker or history lover alike!
Are these Sussex’s or potentially England’s most haunted sites?
Please note some of this content may be upsetting for some to read (TW: death, murders, paranormal experiences)
Haunted Places in West Sussex
Chanctonbury Ring
Chanctonbury Ring is an old Iron Age fort, offering panoramic views across the South Downs. It is said to be the most haunted site in the South Downs, with the remains of this Iron Age fort, a Roman temple and its distinctive ring of beech trees that was planted in 1740.
Its eerie feeling comes from a mix of ancient history, folklore, and strange experiences reported there.
The Iron age hill fort was likely built around 400 BC, which was later used by Romans, with the earthworks still visible today.
Archaeological finds suggest a Roman Temple was built here as a likely dedication to a sky or sun deity.
Many people believe this site has mystical and spiritual energy, with it’s layered history tied to ancient rituals and worship.
Local folklore suggests that pagan rituals once took place on the hill. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the area became linked with tales of witchcraft and occult practices.
Some ghost stories describe unearthly chanting or drumming heard at night. People have reported phantom horsemen, white figures in cloaks, and strange lights moving around the trees.
Some visitors say they’ve experienced strange phenomena, such as a sudden drop in temperature, dizziness, or the feeling of being watched. Additionally, people have reported their pets (horses and dogs) refusing to go near the trees due to energies perceived.
Folklore around Chanctonbury Ring varies, but walking seven times around the ring might summon up the devil, a druid, a lady on a white horse or Julius Caesar and his army.
More recently, Chanctonbury Ring has been a hotspot for UFO sightings in the 20th Century, with strange and unexplained lights observed in the sky at times. The ghost of a Roman centurion is also said to patrol the ring, possibly linked to the old Roman temple.
Chanctonbury Ring is an isolated place on the South Downs, with the ring of trees giving an enclosed feeling, increasing the sense of spookiness.
I don’t know about you, but I won’t be walking around the Chanctonbury Ring seven times any time soon!
Where: Pulbourough, Pulborough RH20 4AA
Bramber Castle
The ruins of Bramber Castle lurk over the River Adur. with the tiny village of Bramber just west of Steyning. The one surviving tower of Bramber Castle stands 14 meters high and is both striking and eerie to witness first-hand. There is a visible moat still surrounding the area.
The legend of Bramber Castle holds many haunted tales, from the starving ghosts of children to a wailing woman and a riderless white horse.
Bramber Castle was originally built in 1073, founded by Norman William de Braose following the 1066 Norman invasion. It was built to guard Steyning’s port at the time, however, there are also prehistoric indications of this site.
There are multiple layers to these haunted ruins. Firstly, brutal ruler King John “The Bad” seized the castle in the 14th century, with the de Braose family captured. William’s children and wife were imprisoned in Windsor Castle and were starved to death.
Many believe the children returned home to Bramber Castle, where they can be seen dressed in rags and begging for food around the grounds of the castle ruins. Some believe they have returned in search of their father.
The Tale of Bramber Castle often appears in local folklore and newspapers. In 1953, neighbouring town Steyning made numerous reports to police of a harrowing, ghostly, high-pitched wail shortly before midnight.
This is thought to be “Lady Maud”, who was married to ill-tempered Lord Hubert de Hurst in the 15th Century and who occupied the castle.
Lady Maud is thought to have had an affair with a younger man called de Lindfield. De Linfield was believed to be subsequently walled in at this castle as punishment. There have been multiple sightings of a galloping white horse around the moat, thought to be de Linfield’s horse, searching for its owner.
People also report unexplained misty blurs occurring in their photographs of Bramber Castle, which add to the mystery and theories of it being haunted by spirits.
Many people come to Bramber Castle on Halloween to experience any paranormal activities.
The views from the hilltop where Bramber Castle is perched are breathtaking. Located just a short drive from the more well-known town of Steyning, it is well worth a visit. In the nicer weather, it is a nice place to have a picnic and let the children run around!
Where: Bramber Castle, Castle Lane, Steyning, BN44 3
Clapham Woods
Is this the UK’s most haunted forests? Located on the edge of the South Downs, is Clapham Village – a quaint little town surrounded by Clapham Woods. It is located just north west of Worthing.
Clapham Woods is known as one of Sussex’s most unsettling places, despite it’s surrounding natural beauty of the South Downs.
The trees are reported to be strange and stunted, with a large, unexplained crater in the middle. It has a dark and foreboding atmosphere, steeped in rich history.
This history spans back to ancient times. The surrounding areas reach back to Neolithic times – with potential long forgotten rituals that took place here
For decades, it’s been linked with ghost sightings, UFO activity, and even sinister cult rumours, unsolved murders and mysterious disappearances. One person reports seeing a girl of around 8 years old with blackened eyes, cycling a tricycle, with no parents to be found, and she quickly disappeared.
Since the 1960’s there have been four human deaths, many unexplained missing dog cases and abnormal radiation readings. These unsolved deaths have been referred to as “Clapham Woods Mysteries” and occurred between 1972-1981. There are reports of a missing horse additionally.
Some people report strange feelings and anxiety when they enter the woods, with a sense of dread or a scary feeling of being watched.
Some have reported whispers and footsteps when there is no one else around, white orbs, shadowy figures or a woman in white cloak.
There is a big tree known as “The Altar Tree” which may have been used for satanic rituals in the past. This seems to be the focal point of strange activities in the past.
Magnetic pulls have been reported, accompanied by nausea, dizziness, and feelings of dread, around this particular tree. Is this one of the most haunted places in Sussex?
Spookiness and ghost stories aside, Clapham Woods is actually a lovely place to see the bluebells in Sussex in Spring. And if these tales don’t put you off it is also a great place for a dog walk in Sussex also.
Where: Clapham Woods, Clapham, BN13 3UU
Haunted Places in East Sussex
Preston Manor and Gardens
Preston Manor is an old , beautifully preserved Edwardian home, located in Preston Park. Brighton. It has over 700 years of history and it is known as one of Britains most haunted homes.
90% of Preston Manor’s staff have reported paranormal experiences, including, but not limited to, feelings of a strong hand on their shoulder, visions of a white lady coming down the stairs and a severed hand crawling on the bed post.
Some of Preston Manor’s staff actually refuse to go upstairs due to these experiences!
Other people have reported hearing animal noises, which is corroborated by the pets cemetery in Preston Manor Gardens.
All spookiness aside, Preston Manor is a fabulous place to visit in Brighton. It has been restored to it’s former Edwardian glory and guests can enjoy an immersive audio tour throughout the home.
It offers a fascinating deep dive into the Stanford Family and their day-to-day life, with interesting period decor, furniture, artwork and appliances of the time.
Cafe Rust is a gorgeous, rustic cafe to visit on-site, serving up delicious drinks, home made cakes and pastries and fresh lunch. I would risk several paranormal experiences just to eat the carrot cake time and time again!
Visiting Preston Manor and Gardens is one of my favourite Things To Do in Brighton.
Where: Preston Manor, Preston Drove, Brighton, BN1 6SD
The Mermaid Inn
The Mermaid Inn in Rye is one of the most famous inns in Sussex, and perhaps one of the most haunted places in Sussex. Located on Rye’s iconic Mermaid Street, the Mermaid Inn’s history spans over 600 years. However, parts of the building date back to 1156.
Beneath the inn are various secret passageways, panels, doors and tunnels that were once used for smuggling goods. This adds to the building’s mystique and eeriness.
Parts of the inn were destroyed in a fire during a French raid in 1377. These were rebuilt in 1420, retaining some of the old cellars.
These were used by smugglers, including the brutal Hawkhurst gang who were involved in murders, secret meetings and betrayals. Some of the ghosts are thought to be of this gang.
There have been reports of objects moving independently, bottles being knocked, footsteps with no one there, strange noises and flickering lights. Some even report sudden drops in temperature in certain rooms or corners, where there is no obvious window or draught.
There are many legends, ghost-stories and supposed creepy tales which guests at the inn have proclaimed. Guests at the inn have reported the following:
- finding their clothes wet with no visible signs of water
- a man in old fashioned clothes walking through the bathroom wall
- two men dressed in 16th century clothing fighting, with sounds of swords or metal clanking
- A rocking chair that moves by itself
- A man dressed in period clothing sat on the end of the bed
Much of this is corroborated by staff members who will refuse to work in certain rooms of the inn alone. Is this one of the most haunted places in Sussex?
Despite all of this, The Mermaid Inn is still a charming place to visit, especially in winter, where the fire roars in the pub and it is a cosy place to grab a drink.
Where: The Mermaid Inn, Rye, TN31 7EY
Have you visited some of these sites before? I would love to know what your experiences have been. Are these some of the most haunted places in England?
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