Fort Purbrook – The Return Investigation. 12 April 2025
- Dr Iain M Lightfoot
- Apr 13
- 4 min read
There are some places that just stick with you, and for me, Fort Purbrook is one of those places.
Returning to this incredible Victorian structure wasn’t just about revisiting old stone and tunnels, it was about continuing a story. Our last visit had offered up so much activity that we knew deep down there was more to discover. And wow, did the fort deliver.
A Living Tunnel
We kicked off the evening differently this time. Rather than heading straight into investigation, we raised the energy, literally. We filled the tunnels with sound: laughter, conversation, singing, stomping. The vibrations echoed through the brickwork like ripples through water. The tunnels responded. Shadows darted, unexplained noises whispered from dark corners, and we experienced several cold spots, though in an old Victorian fort with gaping ventilation, we tried to stay sceptical. When a cold spot is coupled with the sound of breathing or a low growl… you can’t help but pay attention.
Visions and Validation
During the energy circle, as the group opened up and began receiving names and impressions, I slipped into meditation. Clear as day, I saw a Victorian soldier, his uniform slightly different, his face injured. I haven't yet researched this, but what struck me was the timing: the human pendulum simultaneously described a soldier who'd been critically injured, possibly crushed during the fort's construction. Coincidence? Maybe. But it’s exactly these parallels that urge us to dig deeper.
Orbs, EMF, and Silent Bells
Orbs are always welcome guests in an investigation, and we weren’t short of them this time. Toward the night’s end, the EMF meters were lighting up with impressive regularity, even in areas with no known electrical sources. Full spikes, on demand. The only disappointment? We couldn’t get accompanying evidence like bell ringing to correlate, ask and try as we might.
A Spirit’s Second Skin
It was a night of good company. Enthusiasts, sceptics, believers, all asking the same core question: who’s here, and what’s their story? One response we received struck me, when asked how the spirit felt, it answered: “like a second skin.” Initially, this presence was aloof, almost dismissive. But as we persisted with more targeted and respectful questions, it opened up via ETES communication. A breakthrough moment.
We were also lucky enough to be joined by a full-time paranormal investigator from across the pond. Swapping stories of the Queen Mary, USS Intrepid, Gettysburg and beyond… well, don’t be surprised if there’s a “Ghost Hunting UK Goes USA” tour in the future.
Later that evening, sailor energy emerged—but the origin? Unclear. Did sailors ever operate out of Fort Purbrook? Another question for the history books.
Trickster Spirits and Childlike Energy
Children's spirits always add a touch of lightness. This time we connected with Helen and Holly, who responded keenly to the cat balls, EMF meters, and yes, even the teddy bear-shaped REM-PODs. One group even recorded significant mapping on the SLS camera during spikes, some of the most compelling evidence of the night. But caution lingered; the last time we were here, a spirit pretended to be a child. We tread carefully.
The heavy breathing, however, never quite left us. It followed us from stance to stance—combined with growls and the sensation of someone behind you. Several guests felt their clothes tugged, the brush of air on their necks, or even a phantom pinch. Slamming doors echoed, deep, resonating sounds. And bells, twice. No one else was in the fort.
Final Vigils and Footsteps in the Tunnels of Fort Purbrook
By 2:30 AM, many guests had headed home, tired but satisfied. But the fort hadn’t given up all its secrets just yet.
One of our team members, heading to the car, asked if anyone had been on the external steps. Nobody had. Yet they saw a figure walking around upstairs. A spirit walking the courtyard?
A final team entered for one last vigil, initially heading for the cells but pivoting to the atrium after my suggestion. Minutes later, they burst back into base looking visibly shaken. Surrounded by footsteps and heavy breathing, they aborted quickly. And yet, when I returned with another team member to close the tunnels, the silence was almost mocking.
Lessons (and Late-Night Snacks)
Two key takeaways:
Always bring warm layers—those tunnels are iceboxes.
Mick’s burger van on Portsdown Hill is open 24/7, but no chips after 3 AM. Disappointing, I know.
This visit to Fort Purbrook was nothing short of memorable. It reaffirmed its place on my list of top locations—and left me with a stack of audio, hours of infrared footage, and plenty of questions to research. The adventure continues…
Until next time, stay curious, stay respectful, and always listen for the footsteps behind you.
Questions to Research:
Was there ever a Victorian soldier injured during the construction of Fort Purbrook?
What kind of uniform might a non-standard Victorian soldier have worn?
Could the heavy breathing and growling sounds be linked to a known spirit?
Why would a spirit describe its existence as “like a second skin”?
Were sailors ever stationed at Fort Purbrook?
Is there historical evidence of child deaths or tragedies at the fort?
Has the atrium area previously been reported as active in other investigations?
Who could the figure on the external stairs have been?
Do any known spirits walk the courtyard at Fort Purbrook?
What are the causes of multiple slamming doors and bell sounds when no one else is in the fort?
How can SLS mapping be better correlated with EMF spikes and sound-based phenomena?
Was the spirit pretending to be a child during the last visit a known entity?
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