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The Wight Mouse Inn

Chale, Isle of Wight

17th century (originally built as coaching inn, rebuilt and renamed after 1836 shipwreck) 3-star (historic coaching inn) 10 Rooms 1 Ghost

The Resident Spirits

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The Wight Mouse Inn's paranormal activity is deeply connected to its tragic maritime history and the devastating 1836 Clarendon shipwreck. The most documented apparition is that of a bearded sailor, believed to be one of the 25 souls lost when the merchant vessel Clarendon broke apart in Chale Bay. This spectral figure has been repeatedly sighted on the top landing of the inn, appearing as a weathered mariner still seeking rest after his violent death at sea. The ghostly presence manifests through classic poltergeist activity - personal belongings mysteriously vanish, with children's lunch boxes being particular targets, whilst furniture and ornaments are discovered moved to entirely different locations throughout the building. Staff and guests have reported an atmosphere of restless energy, particularly in the upper floors where the sailor's spirit is most active. The haunting appears to be residual in nature, with the bearded sailor seemingly unaware of the living, trapped in an eternal loop from his final voyage. Given that actual timbers from the wrecked Clarendon were incorporated into the inn's structure, paranormal investigators theorise that these physical remnants serve as anchors for the spirits of those who perished. The activity tends to be most pronounced during stormy weather, echoing the conditions that led to the original maritime disaster.

Known Ghosts:

The Bearded Sailor, Clarendon Shipwreck Victims

The bearded sailor of The Wight Mouse Inn represents one of the most consistently reported maritime ghosts on the Isle of Wight. Multiple witnesses over several decades have described encountering a stocky, weather-beaten figure with a full dark beard wearing what appears to be 19th-century seafaring attire. The apparition typically manifests on the top landing during the evening hours, often appearing solid enough that guests initially mistake him for a living person. However, the figure never acknowledges the presence of observers and seems to move with purpose towards rooms that correspond to the ship's quarters layout. Former staff members have reported the distinctive sound of heavy boots on wooden floors, even when the upper floors are confirmed empty. The poltergeist activity associated with this spirit follows consistent patterns - small personal items disappear from rooms, particularly items belonging to children, only to reappear in completely different locations days later. Furniture, especially chairs and small tables, are frequently found rearranged in the morning despite being securely positioned the previous evening. One particularly chilling account from the 1990s involved a young guest whose lunch box vanished from their room, only to be discovered three days later in the inn's cellar, precisely where ship's stores would have been kept aboard the Clarendon. The spiritual activity intensifies during autumn storms, with witnesses reporting the sound of creaking timbers and distant voices calling out in distress, believed to be echoes of the ship's final moments. Several psychic investigators have confirmed sensing multiple presences within the building, suggesting that the bearded sailor may not be the only Clarendon victim still anchored to the inn through the incorporated shipwreck timbers.

Meet Each Spirit

The Bearded Sailor

Residual Haunting 1836

The restless spirit of a mariner lost in the devastating 1836 Clarendon shipwreck, still wandering the top landing of the inn built with his ship's timbers.

Most Active Areas:

Top landing Upper floor gue... Areas with Clar... +1 more
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Historical Background

Building Age

17th century (originally built as coaching inn, rebuilt and renamed after 1836 shipwreck)

Original Purpose

Coaching inn and tavern

Historical Significance

The Wight Mouse Inn holds extraordinary historical significance as both a traditional coaching inn and a tragic memorial to maritime disaster. Originally known as The Clarendon Hotel, this 17th-century establishment was dramatically renamed after one of the Isle of Wight's most devastating shipwrecks. On 11th October 1836, the merchant vessel Clarendon, departing from St. Kitts with a cargo of rum, sugar, molasses, coconuts, peppers and cedar, was caught in severe weather and ran aground at 6am broadside on the south-west beach just east of Blackgang Chine. Within ten minutes, the ship broke apart completely. The tragedy claimed 25 lives, with 18 victims buried in nearby Chale churchyard. Most perished entangled in rigging or struck by falling masts. The public outrage following this disaster led directly to the construction of new lighthouses on St. Catherine's Down to prevent future shipwrecks in the treacherous Chale Bay waters. Remarkably, timbers from the wrecked Clarendon were incorporated into the hotel's structure, creating a physical connection between the building and this maritime tragedy. The inn served European royalty and was a favoured destination for Victorian upper classes, cementing its status as a historically significant establishment that bridges both coaching heritage and maritime memorial.

Architecture

Traditional English coaching inn with original period features, oak beams, flagstone floors, and incorporated shipwreck timbers

What Guests Experience

Reported Activity

Apparition sightings of bearded sailor on top landing, mysterious disappearance and relocation of personal belongings (especially children's items), furniture and ornaments found moved to new locations, heavy footsteps on upper floors when empty, creaking sounds during storms, voices calling in distress during bad weather

Most Active Areas

Top landing (primary manifestation area), upper floor guest rooms, areas of the building constructed with Clarendon shipwreck timbers, cellar area (where disappeared items often reappear)

Witness Accounts

Staff and guests have consistently reported the bearded sailor sighting since at least the mid-20th century, with multiple independent accounts describing the same weathered mariner figure. Former inn employees describe the frustration of items going missing and reappearing, particularly affecting families with children. The most detailed accounts come from overnight guests who initially mistook the apparition for another guest, only realising its supernatural nature when the figure failed to respond to greetings and seemed to move through rather than around physical obstacles. Several paranormal investigation groups have documented electromagnetic anomalies in the upper floors corresponding to traditional sighting areas.

Paranormal Investigations

The Wight Mouse Inn has attracted paranormal researchers due to its unique combination of documented historical tragedy and physical remnants from the disaster. Local paranormal groups have conducted multiple investigations, consistently detecting temperature drops and electromagnetic disturbances in the top landing area. The inn's connection to the Clarendon disaster has made it a subject of maritime ghost research, with investigators particularly interested in the theory that physical shipwreck materials can anchor spirits to new locations.

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Price Range: Mid-range (£105-150 per night)
Rooms: 10
Spirits: 1 Ghost

📅 Sample dates:2025-08-30 to 2025-09-01 • 2 adults
Dates and guest count can be changed on booking sites

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Paranormal Tip: Book rooms near top landing (primary manifestation area) for the best chance of supernatural encounters!

Contact Details

Address:
Church Place, Chale, PO38 2HA

Phone: +44 1983 730431

Status: Operating

Special Packages

Family breaks, coastal walking packages, local exploration breaks

Accessibility

Ground floor restaurant and bar areas accessible, limited wheelchair access to upper floor rooms, on-site parking available

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6 haunted sites and 0 attractions within 10-15 miles

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The Wight Mouse Inn & Surroundings Legend

Hotel
Apparition
Poltergeist

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