From haunted hotels to ghostly monks, Basingstoke’s paranormal hotspots are steeped in eerie legends and chilling encounters
Basing House, Barton’s Lane, Old Basing, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 8AE
Once the largest private residence in Tudor England, Basing House rivalled even Hampton Court. Built in 1531 for William Paulet, the Marquess of Winchester, it hosted royal figures such as Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
During the Civil War, the estate became a fiercely defended Royalist stronghold. After three sieges, it finally fell to Cromwell’s army in October 1645, leaving it in ruin.
Today, visitors explore the remnants of the Great Barn, tunnels, and visitor centre. Many report ghostly footsteps, the scent of lingering smoke, and fleeting shadows believed to be mourning defenders or Cromwell himself.
Halloween ghost walks are a local highlight, especially around the so-called “Bloody Barn”, where echoes of the past seem just within reach.
Red Lion Hotel, Red Lion Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 7LX
This historic hotel and pub remains in active use—and in active haunting.
Between 1989 and 1995, staff and guests witnessed the ghost of a chambermaid in a ruffled dress, seen drifting through the third floor. Some spotted her in mirrors, while others heard weeping or found belongings mysteriously moved.
The top floor is reportedly avoided by staff after dark. The haunting remains one of the most enduring in the Basingstoke area.
The Swallows, Rural vicinity near Basingstoke (property demolished)
In the 1840s, The Swallows became the site of one of Basingstoke’s strangest hauntings. Owned by a Mr Bishop of Tring, the property was plagued by strange noises shortly after he moved in.
Residents reported screaming from the attic, accompanied by the sounds of a baboon and a huge dark feline. The disturbances proved so terrifying that the house was abandoned and later demolished.
Though the building is long gone, the tale endures as a chilling example of non-human paranormal activity near Basingstoke.
Kingclere Road and Catern’s Grave, Kingclere Road, rural Basingstoke area
Since the 1960s, this lonely stretch of road has been haunted by the terrifying figure known as the “Attacking Monk”.
Witnesses describe a grey-hooded monk who emerges from the roadside darkness. Accounts include feelings of dread, physical confrontations, and even an attempted possession.
Locals continue to regard the site with deep unease. It remains one of the most infamous ghost sightings in Basingstoke folklore.
Haymarket, Theatre Wote Street, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 7NW
Originally opened in 1865 as a Corn Exchange, the venue has served many roles—including roller rink, cinema and, since 1951, theatre. Its current form was rebuilt after a fire in 1925 and renovated in 2007.
Staff have reported ghostly presences in backstage areas, with unexplained sounds, bangs and fleeting figures. Some believe these are echoes of past performers refusing to leave the stage.
To this day, visitors sometimes sense that the audience includes more than just the living.
Have you seen a ghost in Basingstoke? Tell us about it in the comment section below!
