The Podymore Inn; Hauntings - Ghosts Beneath the Bar
- Dr Iain M Lightfoot
- Feb 25
- 6 min read
Could this building be a contender for the MOST Haunted location in the UK? We had to investigate... Just off the A303 in Podimore, near Yeovil, stands The Podymore Inn & Steakhouse, a traditional stone-built Somerset inn whose walls have absorbed centuries of rural life. Today it is known for substantial 100% British steaks, generous Sunday carveries, local ales, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Since reopening under new management in June 2025, the focus has been unapologetically on quality: 100% British meat, fresh seasonal vegetables, and honest, robust cooking led by a chef who has previously cooked for the Royal Family.
Stop there if you think that this is all the building offers, no, this is also a building with tremendous depth.
With depth comes the unknown.
The inn began life as a farmhouse, its earliest structure dating back to the 17th century. It later operated as The Butcher’s Arms before evolving into The Podymore Inn. Former entrances have been bricked in, fireplaces moved, extensions added. The field behind the property carries Roman association and protected status. Much of the land once belonging to the original farm has since been absorbed into council ownership.
The history and energy of this building has left its marks. Now some are architectural while others are less tangible.
From the first day the current owners took over, they have witnessed significant paranormal day and night activity, something that is quite unusual... We were kindly invited to experience this for ourselves.
The Setup and Immediate Activity
Cameras were positioned throughout the bar and restaurant area. We placed several cat balls at opposite ends of the bar, one of them under a glass bell housing to eliminate physical contact. We went live and we intended to begin structured questioning, we didn't go to plan however.
Almost immediately, responses began.
Two cat balls at opposite ends of the room activated, not simultaneously at first, but alternately, as if answering in turn. When challenged to trigger both, there was a delay, then one illuminated, followed by the other seconds later. When asked to stop, they briefly paused before resuming. The behaviour did not feel chaotic. It felt responsive.
Then came the auditory phenomena.
While speaking live, a clear whistling sound was heard not ambient, not wind, but sharp and directed, in response to our asking (as whistling is often heard). It cut across my speech distinctly enough to cause an immediate pause. Later in the evening, further whistling occurred in different zones of the bar.
Footsteps were also documented, measured, deliberate, crossing spaces where no one was present. At one stage, (we later discovered on the recorder) the unmistakable sound of a small ball being bounced was heard. It was rhythmic, and consistent with rubber on wood or stone. No ball was physically in motion though.
An EVP later reviewed captured a clear, singular word: “No.”
It was not a whisper lost in static. It was concise, controlled, and thus indicating intelligent responses.
The Little Girl and Interactive Responses
The owners have long spoken of a playful little girl, called Emma)but we thought something like Emily-Jayne or such like) believed to be around six years old, who interacts with trigger objects and occasionally tugs at clothing. When questions were directed toward her specifically, the cat balls responded in patterns that suggested intent rather than randomness.
When asked if she was afraid of the growl reported in the ladies’ toilets, the response was an immediate yes... When challenged playfully about the cat ball activation, “You can’t trigger both” almost instant activations followed, almost as if proving a point.
There was a lightness to this presence, if it is one, playful rather than oppressive energy. We felt, curious rather than hostile and one who seeks comfort of the current landlady.
The Growl and the Heavier Presence
Separate from the playful activity we were told of something darker. The owners describe a growl heard clearly in the ladies’ toilets and nearby area, a deep, resonant tone. The previous night, alongside physical sensations of pain, it caused immediate fear and retreat, so much so a cleansing was conducted. During our investigation, while the full growl was not replicated at the same intensity, we did record tonal anomalies and deeper vocal textures.
At one point, while we stood in discussion, there was a sudden noise behind the bar immediately followed by a body camera powering down. Battery drain is often reported in locations of heightened emotional or environmental charge. Whether this was coincidence or correlation remains open.
There were also noticeable shifts in atmosphere, sudden cold across one side of the face, forehead pressure reported independently by more than one person, and a distinct heaviness that seemed to move from one part of the room to another. The light levels also seemed to change, a room appearing darker and lighter at different times...
The whole bar and restaurant, to me, felt zoned. One area light, a sanctuary and one more heavy and tense, while the room in the middle was more, how does one describe it, perhaps neutral?
The Land, the Claim, and the Dowsing Rods
The most unusual moment of the night came during my dowsing sessions. At first, the rods began spinning independently and rapidly, in opposite directions, circular, forceful, almost vortex-like. When filming the activity, they stopped. When filming ceased (wink, we did record a little), they resumed. This is said to happen near a portal or significant levels of paranormal energy. We are aware here that one spirit is able to move, hide and throw objects! In fact, at the beginning of the evening, Barry's IR torch vanished, only to reappear moments later in the area we both checked.
Questions and intuitive statements about land ownership and grievance produced strong rod reactions. Historically, farmland attached to the inn was taken into broader council ownership. The impression received was of a male presence who still lays claim to the property, protective, and territorial.
During a dowsing session, I was told of a paving flag different to the others, and during dowsing I was taken to a spot by the 'old fireplace'. Incidentally, Dogs brought into the building consistently dig at the same former fireplace location. Dowsing indicated something beneath the floor, possibly symbolic, possibly structural. The idea of a body or tombstone beneath was, and has, been suggested (by others) but never verified.
One presence appeared easily frustrated when interrupted during questioning. The rods responded sharply, decisively, sometimes impatiently. That was an impression gained by an older gentleman, frustrated by time. He did seem to be appeased by the offer of a drink on an evening and even agreed to help with the darker spirit. This was an approach that we were told by Max the Monk at the Fleur de Lys, Boldre, near Lymington.
Visual Anomalies and Thermal Imagery
When a thermal image camera was used, Barry captured an image that appeared to resemble a hanging figure from a beam. We didn't know at the time but a former occupier had sadly hanged themselves. Other visual oddities were seen. Shadows were seen moving at the periphery of vision. A face was reported peeking above the bar, visible enough to cause Barry to freeze and stare twice. As usual I missed it!!
To me, the mirror behind the bar appeared visually elongated at one point, I can only describe it as stretching into infinity. This may be a trick of reflection geometry. It may not - either way it was also reported by the group the evening before - how odd!
An interesting point of note, there were fewer orbs than anticipated, especially given the level of reported activity the night before. Activity may fluctuate. It may also respond to prior investigation or cleansing attempts. Yet, it was quieter on the orb front.
Personal Attachment and Protection
A visiting medium previously identified the owner’s grandfather by nickname, “Alfie”, stating he protects her from something attached to her personally. The name was said to be private and uncommon. The landlady describes herself as highly sensitive. Whether that supports manifestation or simply heightens awareness is a matter of perspective.
What is clear is that this building responds.
Reflections in The Podymore Inn
At the Podymore Inn & Steakhouse, there are playful interactions, there is frustration, there is also some territorial undertones. We had environmental responsiveness and documented auditory anomalies of whistling, footsteps, and numerous EVPs. We witnessed visual impressions and a shifting atmosphere.
Something was happening here... We have been asked back, and we are jumping at the chance to conduct longer investigations which we can build upon.
Now, go and visit and enjoy a steak! If, while you are speaking, you hear a whistle cut across your words or expereince a tug on your sleeve, pause and say hello.
If you have been reading my blogs for a while now, we are looking at Geomagnetic Activity and correlation of heightened paranormal activity. Here are the findings...
Approx. 11.5 DegC
Light Rain and Drizzle
Wind 15mph
Pressure 1016.5mB (slightly higher than normal) GeoMag was fluctuating 2-4 (considered quiet) The paranormal activity at Podymore was said, by the Landlords, to be lower than usual this week. The GeoMag has also been lower, max 4.
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