The Mermaid Inn, Rye, East Sussex, is considered one of the most haunted inns in England, with cellars dating from 1156 and the main building rebuilt in 1420. At least five spirits are believed to haunt the historic inn, including smugglers, their mistresses, and other historical characters. Historical Background: The inn has strong connections to the notorious Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers who used it as a stronghold in the 1730s and 1740s, utilising its network of secret tunnels and passageways for their illegal activities. The building features priest holes, hidden staircases, and a tunnel that once connected to the Old Bell Inn.
Most Haunted Rooms
- Room 16 (Elizabethan Bedchamber): The most haunted room, where multiple guests have witnessed a ghostly duel between two men in 16th-century doublets and hose fighting with rapiers. The victor disposes of the body by throwing it down the oubliette (secret toilet) or secret passageway. Night camera footage has captured sword movements and shadowy figures in the corner.
- Room 1 (The James): Haunted by a lady in grey or white who sits by the fireplace. Guests have reported finding their clothes mysteriously wet on a particular chair near the fireplace.
- Room 17 (Kingsmill Room): Named after Hawkhurst Gang smuggler Thomas Kingsmill, this room was haunted by a woman believed to be the wife of gang member Arthur Gray. A rocking chair would move on its own while the room turned icy cold, disturbing so many guests it was eventually removed.
- Room 19: Haunted by a man in old-fashioned clothes.
Notable Paranormal Activity
Ghostly duels witnessed by multiple guests A child reported seeing an old man in a striped nightgown and cap carrying a candle, walking past her bed on Christmas Day Staff experiencing bottles crashing from shelves Flashes of light and apparitions sitting at the end of beds Secret passages and hidden rooms add to the eerie atmosphere
Media Recognition
Featured on the TV series Most Haunted, with events described as "one of the most well-organised ghostly scenarios anywhere". The inn remains a popular destination for ghost hunters, history enthusiasts, and brave travellers seeking an authentic haunted experience in one of England's most atmospheric medieval buildings.