Into the Darkness: Preparing for Our Paranormal Investigation at Fort Purbrook

Fort Purbrook, so much to investigate.

It’s nearly time to pack up my kit and head out for my next paranormal investigation, this time at the legendary Fort Purbrook on Portsdown Hill.This place is a beast: a massive Victorian fort with a reputation for shadow figures, eerie noises, and that unmistakable feeling of being watched.

History

Built in the 1850s to defend against possible French invasions, Fort Purbrook was part of a system of coastal defences designed to protect Portsmouth. Over its long history, the fort has been used for a variety of purposes, from military barracks to storage spaces, and even a location for military training during both World Wars. With such a storied past, it’s no wonder that Fort Purbrook is rumoured to be one of the most haunted locations in the UK.

The Haunted History of Fort Purbrook

The fort’s history is shrouded in both military significance and mystery. During its military use, soldiers were stationed at the fort, many of whom reportedly experienced unsettling phenomena, including cold spots, whispers, and the sensation of being watched. The fort was never truly quiet, it was always a place of movement, tension, and often fear, especially during the wars.

The most common legend associated with Fort Purbrook is the ghost of a soldier—said to haunt the fort’s tunnels and battlements. Some claim to have seen a shadowy figure wearing a Victorian-era military uniform, often appearing to be walking through the dark, abandoned corridors. There are also stories of soldiers hearing footsteps that don't belong to anyone else and faint, distant cries for help that seem to echo from the fort’s deepest chambers.

Another chilling tale involves a child’s spirit. Visitors and previous investigators have reported seeing a small figure darting between rooms, or hearing the sound of children’s laughter echoing through the hallways. These ghostly children are thought to be the spirits of orphaned children who were housed in the fort during its time as a military barracks. Many believe these children were left behind in the chaos of wartime, their spirits lingering, still trapped within the walls of the fort.

And then there’s the infamous screaming soldier. Legend has it that a soldier, frustrated and disillusioned by the horrors of war, took his own life in the fort’s upper towers. His scream has reportedly been heard echoing through the halls by more than one witness. Some even believe his restless spirit still roams the fort, lost and seeking peace.

What Will I Be Doing at Fort Purbrook

A lot of people imagine ghost hunting as walking around in the dark shouting “Is anyone there?” Sometimes! Yet in reality, it’s much more methodical (and a lot quieter). I’ll be using a mix of tech, intuition, and old-school techniques to gather evidence and experiences.

Here's a quick breakdown:

• EMF Meters – Used to detect electromagnetic fields. Sudden spikes might indicate a presence—or at least something unusual. Placed next to the cat balls.

• EVP Recordings – I’ll be running audio sessions to capture Electronic Voice Phenomena. These are the faint, sometimes chilling voices that aren’t heard in the moment but show up on playback.

• Cat Balls – These motion-sensitive balls light up when touched. Perfect for interactive sessions, especially when working with child spirits, I have had a lot of responses using these simple and trusted devices.

• Vigils – We’ll hold silent sessions in key areas, just sitting and observing. It’s in these quiet moments that some of the most powerful experiences happen.

• Mediumship – Tuning in to any intuitive impressions or spirit communication. I often work with energy and impressions that come to me in real-time, I am rarely wrong.

• Dowsing Rods – A classic technique that still surprises me. Sometimes they’re bang on when asking yes/no questions or sensing energy paths.

• Infrared Cameras and Torches – To see into the dark without interfering with the environment. Some spirits seem more comfortable when we’re not using bright lights.

• Temperature Monitoring – Sudden drops or cold spots can be signs of activity. I’ll be keeping an eye on fluctuations throughout the night.

  
  

I’ll also be logging everything carefully, times, locations, feelings, environmental readings—because evidence means nothing without context.

Am I Nervous?

A little bit but I am more excited than nervous. I always am before an investigation like this. Not because I’m expecting a ghost to leap out from behind a wall, but because of the unknown. Each location has its own personality, its own energy, and Fort Purbrook is steeped in history. There's a feeling there, even in the daytime, that something lingers.

Will the equipment respond? Will we hear voices on the recorders? Will the cat balls light up in an otherwise silent room? Only one way to find out.

Watch This Space…

I'll be sharing updates, snippets of evidence (if we catch any), and behind-the-scenes moments from the investigation in the days following. Whether we walk away with compelling evidence or just more questions, the experience itself is always worth it.

If you’re curious about what it’s like to walk the line between history and the unknown—keep an eye on this space. Fort Purbrook is calling and the adventure continues...

Previously at Fort Purbrook

A reminder iof What Happened Last Time at Fort Purbrook

Our last visit started strong. Almost immediately, we witnessed an unmistakable string of orbs—not random flashes or drifting dust, but a vertical line of energy that felt deliberate. They hovered near the cat balls I’d placed, swirling close but never activating them, like they were holding back… watching.

Then came Jenny—or so we thought. A spirit claiming to be from Seville, Spain, she came through during a communication session. At first, her presence felt calm, even welcoming. But something wasn’t quite right. As we dug deeper, a strange undercurrent of deception crept in. Others in the group agreed: this didn’t feel like Jenny anymore. It felt like something using her name as a mask.

We moved on to table tipping, and while the movements were subtle—a gentle shift rather than a dramatic flip—it was clear that something was trying to make contact. The air buzzed with energy… for a while.

But by 2:00 AM, everything changed.

The energy collapsed. The buzzing stopped. The orbs vanished. It was like the spirits had stepped back into the shadows, or perhaps the veil simply closed again. It left us with more questions than answers—and a strong sense that Fort Purbrook still had more to reveal, this time I am ready...