The White Hart, Andover; Spirits of a Coaching Inn
- Dr Iain M Lightfoot
- Oct 28
- 4 min read
There’s certainly something unique about The White Hart in Andover. The moment you step inside a seemingly modern building, you notice the feel of the centuries pressing in, the uneven floors, the warped beams, the subtle smell of oak and old smoke. It’s a building that has stood since 1617, once a coaching inn on the London turnpike (A toll road which had its origins in 17thC). Travellers and traders have passed through the doors of the White Hart for generations, and according to legend, even King Charles I spent a night beneath its roof.
It’s easy to imagine the sound of horse and carriage, the clatter of tankards, and the hum of conversation that once filled the place. Today, the inn still serves guests of course, many staff and guests believe and talk of some who may not yet be quite ready to leave.
The White Hart Andover
The White Hart Andover has long been whispered about for its hauntings: the Green Lady who drifts along the upper corridor and also who has been seen at the front of the hotel bar, the lady and baby who cries, the gentleman in grey, and the occasional judge who is said to preside silently in the function room. Guests have reported phantom footsteps, closing doors, objects moving, and even a ginger cat that appears and vanishes without a sound.
When Barry and I arrived to investigate, we wanted to explore three key locations: Room 28 (not available on the day), Room 20, the function room, and the bar, each associated with its own stories.
Room 20 – The Green Lady’s Rest
Room 20 is said to be the main centre of paranormal activity, even one of the locals said that everyone knew about 'that room'. I don't think that it disappointed? Immediately on entering, the temperature dipped, the air turned icy, arriving and departing in bursts that moved around the room. We recorded several cold spots, and more than once felt a sudden chill on the back of our necks.
Orbs appeared intermittently, nearly all of them had no intention of being in the cameras viewfinder, they would swerve and veer away, I believe intelligently, acting very strangely. During a quiet moment, Barry flinched slightly. And although we hadn't captured it, through the recorder, he stated that he had heard a faint whisper of “Help” right beside his ear. Now I would like to explain that Barry has never jumped or got scared, but that word, help spoken into his ear just startled him... There was also an indistinct sound moments later, we had thought it was the other, but alas, neither one of us could make out the words.
For a few seconds, it felt as if the atmosphere thickened and the energy was growing, our coats were rustled, one sleeve tugged lightly as if brushed by a hand. Then, as quickly as it came, the energy faded. The room fell completely silent again. I mean, if you have never experienced it, you need to in order to understand... You feel the energy and then, all goes quiet and still.
The Function Room – The Judge’s Chamber
The White Hart's function room has a very different feel. Open, echoing, and with a stillness that feels deliberate. Almost as if something, or someone, is watching. We felt a presence straight away
We heard occasional sounds that didn’t belong: a faint shuffle, a thud from the far end of the room, though there was no one nearby. At one point, the door opened slowly, but on review it may have been natural air pressure from the corridor, we can't be sure though. One cat ball, however, told a different story, activating once, perfectly timed, when we asked a direct question.
What we were experiencing in the pub was also mimicked by the dowsing rods, which responded briefly, giving clear yes/no answers before abruptly stopping, as if the conversation had been cut off. Barry and I both felt it, a sense of being observed but not allowed to communicate. It was an unusual experience; the air was heavy, but not hostile, but yes, strict. The feeling like the headmaster is taking the lesson at school (did you ever experience that, then you will know how it felt).
The Bar ; Cold Spots and Silence
Moving downstairs, the bar was inviting yet curiously cold. The temperature seemed to drop a little in patches, and we caught a few faint orbs floating near the serving area. Yet, compared to the rooms above, the atmosphere here felt muted, once again as though something, or someone, was suppressing the energy.
Both of us came to the same conclusion without prompting: it felt as though “the judge” was exerting control. Whether he was overseeing, protecting, or simply silencing the others, we couldn’t say. But the sensation was unmistakably paranormal, that of authority, restraint, and quiet dominance.
Reflection
Some investigations abound with noises and movement; others whisper in restraint, in others Orbs are plentiful. The White Hart gave us constrained specks of evidence, it was subtle, intelligent, yet almost held back. There’s no doubt activity exists within those walls, but it definitely feels measured, almost disciplined. Perhaps the judge still holds his court, maintaining order among the spirits of this ancient inn. When we discussed the green lady afterwards, we believe that this reported haunting would be a prime candidate to attribute to Stone Tape activity. The witness' statement of it "happening about once a month", the same reports... Would love to place a camera for a year to record what could be floating around the corridors...
Hopefully we would be invited back to continue to dig deeper into history. For now, The White Hart remains a place where history still walks, softly, deliberately, and somehow, always watching.
Thank you for reading. Please subscribe and share, and if you’d like to keep us fuelled through those long nights of investigation, you can support our work by joining the:
Midnight coffee Club at buymeacoffee believe me, every cup is enjoyed (and needed at times)!
Comments