The Regency Hotel
Brighton, East Sussex
The Resident Spirits
The Regency Hotel has maintained its reputation as one of Brighton's most haunted establishments for over two decades, with numerous guests and staff reporting encounters with two primary spirits. The most frequently witnessed apparition is the Grey Lady, described as a slim, grey-haired woman who moves silently through the hotel's corridors and, remarkably, through solid walls. Witnesses describe her as an elegant figure, possibly a former Victorian-era landlady who remains devoted to overseeing her establishment. The second spirit is that of a young Victorian girl, whose tragic story is inextricably linked to the building's history. According to local accounts, this poor child met her end after detecting the smell of gas from newly installed pipes. In terror of suffocation or explosion, she clambered onto a window ledge of an upper floor in a desperate attempt to escape, only to fall to her death. The haunting is said to be so powerful that the tragic event occasionally replays itself, witnessed by startled guests and staff who report seeing the girl's final moments. Both spirits appear to be residual hauntings, bound to the building by their earthly attachments and tragic circumstances, creating an atmosphere that has earned the hotel recognition in paranormal circles.
Known Ghosts:
The Grey Lady, The Victorian Girl
The Grey Lady remains the hotel's most enduring supernatural resident, with sightings documented consistently over the past twenty years. Staff and guests describe her as an elegant figure with grey hair, always impeccably dressed in period clothing. She appears to patrol the corridors with purpose, occasionally passing directly through walls as if navigating by memory of the building's original layout. One particularly documented encounter involved photographer Anna Pearce, who stayed at the hotel in 2006 while working on the book 'Haunted Brighton'. Pearce reported an intense sensation of being watched in the early hours of the morning, followed by her bed beginning to shake violently. The sensation was so overwhelming that she was convinced of a paranormal presence in her room. The Victorian girl's manifestations are more dramatic but less frequent, typically occurring near upper-floor windows. Witnesses describe seeing a young girl in period dress appearing distressed, often seeming to replay her final tragic moments. The apparition sometimes appears at windows that have since been bricked up or altered, suggesting her spirit remains anchored to the building's historical configuration. Staff members have reported sudden temperature drops in certain areas, unexplained footsteps on the upper floors during quiet hours, and the sensation of being observed while working alone.
Historical Background
Building Age
Early 19th century (completed 1824)
Original Purpose
Prestigious residential townhouse
Historical Significance
The Regency Hotel stands as a magnificent example of Georgian Regency architecture, forming part of the prestigious Regency Square development completed in 1824. Originally conceived as elite residential townhouses for the social upper classes drawn to Brighton by the Prince Regent's patronage, the square represented the pinnacle of fashionable society. The building served the wealthy families who came to take the sea air and enjoy Brighton's burgeoning reputation as a fashionable resort. Each of the 69 sea-facing houses in the square was constructed with six floors, providing ample accommodation for aristocratic families and their extensive household staff. The sixth Duke of Marlborough's third wife once owned this particular house, adding to its distinguished pedigree. Following World War I, like many of its grand neighbours, the building transitioned from private residence to hotel accommodation, adapting to changing social and economic circumstances while retaining its historic grandeur. The architectural features include period sash windows, ornate cornicing, and original Georgian proportions that speak to the building's illustrious past as a symbol of Regency Brighton's golden age.
Architecture
Georgian Regency townhouse with original period features, sash windows, and characteristic Brighton seafront proportions
What Guests Experience
Reported Activity
Apparitions walking through walls, bed shaking, cold spots, unexplained footsteps, sensation of being watched, dramatic temperature drops, visual manifestations at windows
Most Active Areas
Upper floor bedrooms, particularly rooms facing the square, main corridors, areas near original window locations, former servants' quarters on the top floor
Witness Accounts
Multiple documented sightings by hotel guests, staff members, and paranormal investigators. Anna Pearce's 2006 encounter while photographing for 'Haunted Brighton' represents one of the most detailed modern accounts. Various online sources and local ghost walk guides reference continuing activity, with reports spanning from the 1980s to present day.
Paranormal Investigations
The hotel gained recognition in paranormal circles and was even marketed as a haunted accommodation in the 1980s. It has been featured in ghost walk tours and paranormal literature, including the book 'Haunted Brighton' by Alan Murdie. Current management prefers to focus on the hotel's hospitality rather than its supernatural reputation.
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📅 Sample dates:2025-11-29 to 2025-12-01 • 2 adults
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Contact Details
Special Packages
Standard hotel accommodation, proximity to Brighton's ghost walks and paranormal tours
Accessibility
Period building with limited accessibility, located on prestigious Regency Square with nearby street parking
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