The Haunting of the Eclipse Inn: A Journey into History and Spirit

The Eclipse Inn in Winchester is a building steeped in history, sadness, and spirit. Nestled in the heart of the city’s ancient streets, this Grade II listed timber-framed building dates back to 1540. Originally built as the rectory for St Lawrence’s Church, the building has long outlived its religious roots. Now, it’s known as a warm and welcoming pub boasting over 100 gins, a strong local following, and is said to also be home to the sorrowful presence of Lady Alice Lisle.

Injustice at the Hands of Judge Jeffereys

Lady Lisle’s story is one of tragedy and injustice. On the 20th of July, 1685, she was approached by two desperate fugitives following the failed Monmouth Rebellion. She offered them shelter, a decision that would ultimately cost her life. Despite jury sympathies, the infamous Judge Jeffreys, already dubbed "The Hanging Judge," forced a guilty verdict after only fifteen minutes. Originally sentenced to burn at the stake, Lady Lisle’s status as a noblewoman earned her a final act of mercy: beheading.

Her last night was spent in the upper floor of the Eclipse Inn. Just outside the front window, carpenters hammered and sawed through the night, constructing the scaffold that would end her life. On the morning of September 2nd, 1685, she walked with quiet dignity from the back room, through the 'Red Room', and finally through the window into Winchester marketplace to lay her head upon the block.

She was the first execution of the Bloody Assizes and the last woman in England to be beheaded. Many staff and visitors claim she never truly left.

The Main Bar at the Eclipse Inn

Haunting of The Eclipse Inn, Winchester

Lady Lisle has been seen by pub staff and patrons alike, often described as a tall, grey-clad woman with a mournful gaze. Some say she gently pushes those she disapproves of, while others report hearing the rhythmic knock of construction, perhaps the echoes of that dreadful scaffold being built outside that final window.

In fact, Barry, from Paranormal Hunters UK, visited the Eclipse many years ago and was convinced he witnessed the Grey Lady herself. This is something he said he would never forget.

So, we came to investigate.

Setting the Scene

Upon entering the building, you could immediately feel an energy. In the men's toilets, I sensed that people were under the floor. This was later confirmed; the pub was built on a burial ground located at the back of the men's room. We were specially granted access to the Red Room (our thanks indeed to the Owners and Manager), the upstairs chamber with a deeply intimate link to Lady Lisle. It’s the room she walked through before her final descent into the square below. We approached this room with reverence. This was not merely an investigation; it was a vigil.

Both Barry and I felt headaches. I intuitively sensed that the energy here amplified aches or pains. Was this what happened to an unsuspecting investigator some years earlier?

The Investigation in the Red Room

We carefully set up our equipment: three infrared cameras, REM pods, motion detectors, EMF K2 meters, temperature sensors, cat balls, and dowsing rods. We were ready! My handheld IR camera stayed on standby throughout the evening. As we began, we focused on quietly reading the energy, holding space for whatever might wish to make itself known.

We initiated the session with interviews and a human pendulum. What emerged surprised us: the sense of not one, but five spirits co-existing in harmony. It didn’t feel crowded; it felt like a shared space held in understanding. One of the pub staff reported a strong tug on his arm. Interestingly, this happened shortly after he had sworn aloud. Was this coincidence, or was Lady Lisle reminding us of her distaste for coarse language? This was a message I had received earlier in the evening.

It’s worth noting that spilled drinks are often reported at the pub. Perhaps they’re not accidents at all but small acts of disapproval from a bygone noblewoman with high standards of decorum.

A Warning from a Local

As the evening progressed, a local visitor, clearly familiar with the Red Room, entered the pub. She warned us solemnly: the dowsing rods can be dangerous in that room. She’d once treated them like a novelty, especially near the painting of Lady Lisle, and was met with erratic movements that spooked her so deeply she now refused to re-enter that room. She swore that activity at the painting was high, saying it was a portal!

She believed the health misfortune she experienced after that night was no coincidence.

We took her words seriously. We always treat our sessions, and the spirits, with high respect. Though we had begun with dowsing rods, I decided to pause their use and offer additional protection to our team. This was no place for arrogance or complacency.

Energy That Waned

From there onwards, the evening grew quiet. Although we all heard footsteps and movement in the locked room above, the energy that had initially felt thick with presence began to ebb. The REM pods remained silent, the motion sensors untouched. Not a single cat ball lit up, despite being checked and tested. It was as if the room had exhaled and gone still.

Yet the atmosphere didn’t feel empty. It felt weighty, like walking into a restaurant after service has ended. Quiet, but significant—a feeling that something had happened, full of energy, but we were too late and not meant to interrupt it further.

Though we captured no major evidence that night, we left with a sense of reverence. Not all investigations lead to flashing lights and whispered voices. Sometimes, it’s the silence that speaks loudest. The heaviness in the air. The sudden calm after an initial burst of interaction. The feeling that you’re being watched, not in malice, but in memory.

The Verdict

Is the Eclipse Inn haunted? After listening to and reading the interviews, I do believe so. Yet I also believe it is not a place of chaos or malevolence. It is a place of deep history and sorrow. If Lady Lisle lingers here, it is not to frighten but perhaps to remind us—to carry forward the story of a woman who met injustice with grace.

If you visit, take a moment to pause near the Red Room window. Imagine the weight of knowing your scaffold is being built beneath you. Feel the silence. And if your drink spills unexpectedly, offer an apology. You never know who may be watching.

Have you ever seen the Grey Lady? Let us know in the comments.

Investigating Ghosts on Tap

Two video resources from YouTube.

The Eclipse - Creepy Cool

The Eclipse - The Sun