WALKTHROUGH

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"Vesta Tilley"

  In the ancient centre of Brighton, the once vibrant Hippodrome Theatre is said to house a fabulous spirit that frequents the Tudor bar. Vesta Tilley, actress and one of the best known male impersonators of the Victorian era, made numerous appearances at the Hippodrome from 1870 to 1920. Those who encountered Vesta have seen her wearing a black gown and said she was a benevolent presence.

  The resplendent Theatre has since been abandoned, but Vesta may still appear, expecting to be served a drink in the clammy dark.

"Spring-Heeled Jack"

  One of the few humanoid entities reported in London. The first sighting of Spring-Heeled Jack was reported in 1837. So called for his ability to leap over rooftops and quickly escape. Descriptions vary, but he is said to have long, razor- sharp claws, eyes that glowed red, and an ability to breathe blue flames. He wore a garment that resembled an oilskin with bat-like wings.

  Spring-heeled Jack would terrorize unfortunate young women who were wandering about after dark. There were many reports over the course of 60 years, with the last sighting being in 1904. Many of the sightings were chalked up to hysteria, but any reasonable lady out for a walk would be in a panic if Poundland Batman started tugging at her skirt. Rumors circled that Spring-Heeled Jack was just a wealthy prankster who liked to sow chaos as a way to entertain himself.

"The Phantasmagoria"

  A report taken in 1804 from two guards describes a terrifying encounter with a spirit while on duty late at night. An officer named George Jones claimed to have seen a woman without a head rise from the earth right before his eyes! With great detail, Jones observed that the woman was dressed in a gown, "red striped, with red spots between each stripe" and that "part of the dress and figure appeared to me to be enveloped in a cloud." Sightings of this sort were reported by other guards as well.

  While this story is a lot of fun, and "The Red Lady" is still shared as one of the most famous ghosts of London, there appears to be a concrete explanation for it. Six days prior, a news report was released about two "Westminster Scholars" who were messing  around with a Phantasmagoria in an empty house nearby.

  The Phantasmagoria is one of the earliest forms of projectors, using light, smoke, and mirrors to create semi-transparent imagery, usually terrifying ghosts or skeletons. "The Red Lady" of St. James's Park may not be a true haunting, but it is worth noting as an interesting bit of history in horror entertainment.

"Unseen Housemates"

  A personal account from a home in Tufnell Park that was once a nunnery. Constructed in the late 19th century, this location is home to many playful spirits. From phantom footsteps to knocking things off the kitchen counter with excellent comedic timing, there seems to be a surprise around every corner.

  On the second floor landing around 2:00 pm, a presence will make itself known by rushing up from behind. A little boy dressed in very clean, powder blue 1920’s work clothes visits the kitchen, perhaps hoping to find a snack.

  Late at night, witnesses report the sounds of a woman singing on the third floor. All accounts point to a benevolent presence.

"The Beige Lady"

  A personal account from a home in Alcester of the spirit of a woman with dark hair dressed in what looks like a beige dress from the 1970’s. The current tenants have no information regarding the previous residents and there are no reports of any deaths occurring on the grounds. The spirit appears every now and then as a quiet guardian.

  On the second floor landing around 2:00 pm, a presence will make itself known by rushing up from behind. A little boy dressed in very clean, powder blue 1920’s work clothes visits the kitchen, perhaps hoping to find a snack.

  Late at night, witnesses report the sounds of a woman singing on the third floor. All accounts point to a benevolent presence.  

"Spangled Spectre"

 High Wycombe has a lengthy history and numerous ghoulish s pirits that prowl its ancient grounds. While locations like the Hellfire Caves and Swan Theatre draw most of the attention, there is one figure that quietly lurks on the town’s outskirts.

 Late at night, when the moon is bright, the spirit known as the ‘Spangled Spectre’ makes herself known. Rather than appearing as a white lady, a mist, or a shadow, she can be recognised by her sparkle. From head to toe, this spirit is adorned in her finest jewels, which glitter in the moonlight. She likes to make her appearance at the edge of Sandage Wood, proudly displaying her jewelry collection, before slipping back into the shadows.  

"Sleep Paralysis"

  Sleep paralysis is a hotly contested phenomenon in which a person is stirred from sleep but unable to move or speak, with the feeling of a threatening presence or extreme terror. From a medical perspective, this condition is said to be brought about when the brain is in a state of dysfunctional REM sleep, causing hallucinations. It could be brought about by stress, narcolepsy, or sleep deprivation.

  Others claim that sleep paralysis is a form of attempted possession. That something sinister lurks on the periphery of the victim’s vision, inching closer, while the victim has to fight to regain mobility and retain control of their being. Victims of sleep paralysis claim to see ghouls that take the shape of perceived demons, shadows, and creatures of various forms.

Thank you for coming!

 This coffin lid from the ancient city of Thebes has a long string of unfortunate incidents attached to it. In the 1860’s, Thomas Douglas Murray, an archeologist and enthusiast of Egyptology, purchased this piece after it had been freshly excavated. He was able to decipher the hieroglyphs on the lid which stated that the woman portrayed was a princess and high priestess of Amen Ra.

  Since her arrival, it’s said that every owner has encountered unlucky experiences, illness, or even death. The lid was eventually donated to the British Museum in 1889 and has been on public display since.

 Angry at having the lid to her final resting place stolen, this unhappy spirit is said to have made her way down to the Holborn and the British Museum (now closed) underground stations. When she chooses to reveal herself, the spirit appears shrieking, wearing a magnificent headdress and loincloth.

"The Priestess of Amen Ra"