MEDWAY DISTRICT
HAUNTED HOSTELRIES
A listing of Public houses, Taverns, Old Coaching Inns, Tap & Beer Houses, Cafes, Tearooms, Restaurants, Hotels & B&Bs in the Medway District are reported as being haunted by the visitors of the Past. Some have paranormal events & investigations.
There are places in this District where you can stay for a getaway with some haunted history, while checking out the surrounding haunted areas.
CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO GO TO THE BUSINESS WEBSITE.
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Please note that prices and availability may change, so check this information when booking. You are not guaranteed to see a ghost, so please don't be disappointed if you don't. Just enjoy your night anyway.
GofEPS is not affiliated with these places; it is just sharing the information. If you have any questions regarding bookings, please contact them.
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IF YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL ABOUT A HOSTELRY IN THIS DISTRICT OR YOU KNOW OF ONE THAT IS NOT LISTED, THEN PLEASE GET IN TOUCH
1. THE COOPERS ARMS
10 St Margaret's St, Rochester ME1
Bar & Restaurant
Built-in 1199 at the end of Richard the Lionheart's reign, the Inn, a significant historical landmark, sits on the corner of Love Lane. Love Lane is also known for its paranormal happenings, so check out the Outdoor Hauntings page for more information.
The first recorded inhabitants of the house were the monks from nearby St Andrews Priory, after falling into disrepair during the dissolution of the monasteries. They were not just monks, but also skilled brewers, renowned for their ales and wine.
In 1542, Jonathan Quigley, a farmer from the parish of St Margaret's, Rochester, purchased the house and left his mark through extensive repairs and alterations.
In 1543, a license was granted, and the house became a registered Inn. The name was changed to 'The Cooper's Arms' in honour of the cooperage, which had supplied casks to the Priory of St Andrews and the Townspeople. It became a place of rest and refreshment for travellers and locals alike.
**HAUNTINGS**
There is a legend of a ghost monk wearing a grey robe, seen every November. He walks through the wall of the bar and disappears. He is said to be a member of the Brethren of Coopers. The story goes that he was walled up and left to die for committing some unforgivable sin against the ancient order. His apparition is also seen more often in the cellar area. His ghost has been blamed for smashing customers' pints to the floor by sliding them along the bar counter so they fall off the end.
Other witnesses have reported seeing another ghostly figure, this time an elderly male with staring eyes, so maybe he is to blame.
2. THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE
159 High St, Rochester ME1
Bar and Bar Snacks
Step into the intriguing past of Queen Charlotte, once named Royal Charlotte. This pub replaced an ancient inn with over twenty guest rooms. The current building, a relic from the early 19th Century, was once dedicated to the consort of George III, Queen Charlotte. This historical gem, which reopened in late August 2017 after a refurbishment, is a testament to its rich history.
In 1913, a new inn landlord discovered a cache of documents, including British Admiralty maps, a rental agreement for a house in Wandsworth, and a letter dated 1903. The author, described as having won the Iron Cross in the Franco-German War of 1870, subsequently worked for the German secret service across much of Europe and was identified as Frederick Adolphus Gould, the previous landlord, then working as a cigar merchant in Wandsworth. He handed the paperwork to the authorities, and the man was put under surveillance. His letters were intercepted, and after gathering enough evidence and catching his mistress carrying some charts, plans, and a gun book, he was arrested in 1914. He was convicted of spying for the Germans and sentenced to six years of hard labour.
**HAUNTINGS**
Legend has it that the pub is home to two restless spirits. One is believed to be Frederick Adolphus Gould, the alias of a German national, Adolphus Schroeder, who served as the licensee from 1908.
Strange shuffling noises have been heard in the pub's attic. Could this be the landlord, Frederick, still trying to contact the Germans?
The bar area and the cellar are said to be haunted by a grey-haired old lady. Staff have reported smelling the fragrance of Lavender while working in these areas, which is believed to be a sign that the old lady's spirit is nearby. Her ghost has also been blamed for glasses being smashed mysteriously, often leading to startled reactions from the staff.
3. THE NAGS HEAD
292 High St, Rochester ME1
Bar & Bar Snacks
Nestled on the corner of the High Street and Nags Head Lane is the Nags Head pub, An ex-Courage pub, standing out with its whitewashed and weather boarded frontage. This street corner house, located at the beginning of one of the high pavements, holds a unique charm.
The Nags Head pub, believed to have been established in the early 19th Century, is housed in a historic three-level building, adding to its allure for history buffs. The site was once said to be a stable area and police cells.
**HAUNTINGS**
Legend has it that a tragic figure, a prostitute named Aggie, met her end by suicide in one of the police cells, and her restless spirit now haunts the Nags Head. Witnesses have reported eerie sightings of her apparition on the pubs' stairs and in the old cellar, adding to the mystery of her presence.
A previous landlady reported that she often heard the eerie sound of a female crying out in the middle of the night.
Another Landlord reported having witnessed Aggie's Ghostly apparition and hearing weird clicking and banging noises in the dead of the night. Quite possibly the echoes of the past, when it was police cells, the sounds of the Gaoler locking up the robbers caught in the night, or the drunks who never made it home.
4. THE SHIP INN
347 High St, Rochester ME1
Bar & Restaurant
The building, dating back to around 1832, is situated on the High Street, near the River Medway.
Over the centuries, it was used for death inquests, and bodies pulled out of the Medway were taken there.
It is said to be one of the oldest Gay pubs in the country and had a visit from the Kent Online secret drinker in 2021. The secret drinker, who was unaware of this historical fact, was reportedly surprised..
**HAUNTINGS**
There are two stories with ghostly hauntings behind them.
Over a century ago, a woman said to have been a prostitute is believed to have died by suicide in an upstairs room. Phantom footsteps have been heard by staff within the room, and they say this woman is responsible for them. I have been unable to locate any news articles after 1850 to back this up, but it may have happened before 1850.
Another spirit is said to be that of a former barman, who tragically committed suicide forty years ago after the break up of his boyfriend. He was said to have hung himself in the small panelled room at the back of the pub, and staff have reported feeling a presence in the room. They have also noticed objects going missing and reappearing some time later.
I have not found any newspaper article about suicides within the inn, but I did find one from 1900 relating to the suicide of a young dockyard worker named Thomas George Fletcher, who committed suicide by drinking Carbolic acid. He was found by a policeman on the pavement in front of Albany Terrace. He died a few minutes upon arrival at St Bartholomew's Hospital. On him was an envelope with the words written ''Miss A Tilman c/O the Ship Inn, Rochester, this is your fault'' It seems she had been acquainted with him for several years but owing to his intemperate habits, at the request of her parents, she broke up with him three months before. He had been brokenhearted and depressed. So, could the story have changed over the century? Maybe he's returned to find his lost love.
5. GORDON HOUSE HOTEL
91 High Street Rochester ME1
Accommodation, Bar & Restaurant
The Gordon House Hotel, a 17th-century gem, is nestled in the heart of the historic City of Rochester. It's a stone's throw away from the Castle, and the Cathedral is just across the High Street, offering a picturesque view from the hotel. The Cathedral bar is conveniently located on the ground floor, and an In-house Restaurant is at your service.
The hotel is named after 'Major General Charles George Gordon', who was commemorated at the Cathedral and was killed in Sudan in 1885.
Step inside and you'll be greeted by a beautiful interior that's brimming with character. A Jacobean Dog Gate leads to the wooden staircase, and the exterior door, adorned with two white pillars, is a sight to behold.
The Rochester Bridge Trust owned the property in 1912.
For the past 25 years, the Shome family has lovingly owned the hotel, with the son taking over in 2024. Following some minor renovations, the four-storey site now boasts 15 bedrooms, a restaurant, a bar, a reception, and 25 parking spaces.
While the hotel currently operates as a bed and breakfast, it holds the potential to host weddings and parties. The team is now gearing up to put the hotel 'back on the map' with a monthly event for food lovers in the disused restaurant, featuring different guest chefs. The GH Test Kitchen is set to open its doors at the end of May 2024.
**HAUNTINGS**
Reports of hauntings have occurred over time. Staff members have reported hearing pots and pans rattle of their own accord and a shower turning on and off. One shocked overnight guest witnessed a ghostly apparition of a lady in a long Victorian dress appear at the bottom of the hotel's main staircase.
6. KINGS HEAD HOTEL
58 High St, Rochester ME1
Accommodation, Bar & Restaurant
The Kings Head, a beautifully refurbished Georgian-style Hotel, stands proudly opposite Chertsey Gate in the heart of historic Rochester. Its proximity to the iconic Rochester Castle and Cathedral, both just a stone's throw away, adds a fascinating layer to its rich history. The hotel is believed to have its roots in the 18th Century.
The site has been a hub of hospitality since as early as 1490, with an apple market once bustling at the rear of the premises, adding to its charm and character.
The Morning Post, Friday 27 May 1825, mentions that it was known as the County Hotel in 1825 but changed back to the King's Head when John Leith became the Licensee in 1828 and has remained that name ever since.
There is a theory reported in Kent history forum about the possibility that The King's Head is on the site, of what was possibly a drinking house named "Doddringherne" or "Dodderherne" (O.E. Dodda's Corner, Dodda is an Anglo-Saxon personal name) in 604AD when it was one of the landmarks in the Rochester Cathedral Land Grant from King Aethelberht. If "Doddringherne" really was a drinking house, then the King's Head could claim to be one of the oldest pubs in the country! However, the only problem with this is that the current building was built in the 18th Century, and I have found no facts about this theory.
**HAUNTINGS**
There is just one report found regarding the paranormal. A staff member walked through the fire doors on the hotel landing, then went to walk through the next but found it shut tight; the door wouldn't open, so she turned back the way she came and back through the door she had just come through, only to find that door shut firmly too. She started to panic, looking through the fire door window to see if anything was stopping the door from opening. To her shock and horror, she said she saw the ghostly apparition of a lady in period clothing, with a look of evil, holding the door shut.
7. RISING SUN
6 Delce Rd Rochester ME1
Bar & Restaurant
The Rising Sun, perched at the top of Delce Road, holds a significant place in history. Its location, set on the corner, a short walk to the main high street in Rochester, has witnessed the passage of time. There are reports that this inn was rebuilt at some point, and the current building dates back to the mid-19th Century.
It's a fascinating juxtaposition-although it dispensed strong liquors inside, the old building on the outside, at the upper end, was a covered well-house where people could obtain water free of charge. This unique blend of services adds to the intrigue of The Rising Sun's history.
The Rising Sun was not just a pub but a part of royal history. It was Edward III's badge, part of Ireland's arms, and several kings also used it in their Coats of Arms. This royal connection adds a regal touch to The Rising Sun's story.
Following its closure, it was reopened after a renovation in September 2017 by leaseholder Kelly Earle.
It closed again in 2023, and new owner Billy Dutton (its 13th licensee since 1857) gave it a £280,000 makeover, including lavish new fixtures and fittings, a revamped historic bar, and an ornamental willow tree. While maintaining its historic Victorian look, he turned the old bar area into a feature, knocked down a wall, and went into the largely disused kitchen to make room for an extra 20 seats, now offering food-sharing dishes rather than full-on restaurant food. The enclosed garden has been paved over and provides an outdoor bar for drinking alfresco. It welcomed visitors back on 26th April 2023.
**HAUNTINGS**
There have been reports of ghosts seen inside. Someone reported being shown a Victorian newspaper clipping regarding a man who had gone to the outside pub toilets and cut his own throat. It is his ghost who is said to haunt the pub.
Staff and publicans have also seen a woman on numerous occasions. She is said to be wearing a long dress and haunts the landing and corridors, apparently just glaring at those who see her.
8. THE THREE CRUTCHES
Old Watling St, Strood ME2
Bar & Restaurant
The Three Crutches, formerly known as the ''Bear and Ragged Staff,'' is a white weatherboard Farmhouse in the village of Higham in Kent. This historical building, with its front listed as Grade II, is not just a structure, but a significant piece of history that has witnessed centuries of events.
It is said to be connected with the old legend of the Medway and the ruins of the Temple. When the Knights Templars flourished in all their glory during the 13th Century, one of the knights, Sir Reginald Braybrooke, had been visiting Lord Cobham. When returning to the Temple by a lonely path on the river's brink, he was pierced to the heart by an arrow from a hand unseen. The following morning, he was found at a location where three roads met, missing his cloak, laying in his blood, quite dead with the fatal arrow still sticking in his side. The Templars used every means to discover the assassin, but in vain and the murderer was never caught or brought to justice. In memory of their brother's soul, the knights erected a triangular monument where he died—a cross on each side, fronting the three roads that united at this place. The spot ever afterwards obtained the name of the Three Crosses.
The murderer was discovered some years afterwards. One of the brethren summoned to administer the last rites to a dying sinner arrived at Luddesden; he saw the light from the window of a poor house in the village and knocked on the door. He entered to solicit shelter and a seat by the fire. He found one elderly woman sick in her bed. She was almost in the last days. He then noticed the coverlet of her bed was none other than the cloak of the murdered Sir Reginald. He immediately requested she tell him how she acquired it. She then confessed that her husband, an old soldier who had felt he had been wronged and insulted by Sir Reginald, had shot the fatal arrow to his heart. After the deed, he had felt nothing but remorse, and one morning, a few months afterwards, he was found deceased at the bottom of the chalk pit. Whether it was an accident or whether in remorse and torment of his mind, he had put an end to his life, she didn't know. Having made this confession, she died. The priest took away the cloak and conveyed it to the Temple, which was long preserved by the Knights, as a sad relic of their brother.
The exact location of the monument, a place of historical significance, remains shrouded in mystery. All traces of it have long since disappeared, adding to the enigma of this tale. A nearby public house was renamed after the monument, The Three Crosses. However, the meaning of these words was lost on a landlord who changed the name, giving his house the ' Three Crutches' sign.
Close to this house, on a rising ground, over-shadowed by one of the largest walnut trees in England, in the spring that formerly supplied the pilgrims with water." Nearby are four sarsen stones, which were found during roadworks, set up in a four-poster-like setting.
In researching Sir Reginald, various sources claim he had been wounded in the Battle of Sluys, Flanders, and died four months later, on September 1405, in Middleburg on the Scheldt, Belgium. However, the Battle of Sluys, also called the Battle of l'Écluse, was a naval battle fought on 24 June 1340 between England and France during the Hundred Years War, so the dates don't match up! There is a record of him being buried at St Mary Magdalene Church Cobham, a 13th Century Church.
**HAUNTINGS**
Adding to the intrigue, the Three Crutches Inn is said to be haunted by two ghosts. One, a mischievous spirit, was often seen sitting, leaning through a window of a locked and empty room on the top floor, waving and laughing at passersby. The other is a more solemn figure, a finely dressed man who walks through the public bar and into the dining room, only to vanish into thin air.