Secrets of The Mermaid Inn

A prominent medieval alehouse that was once the home of infamous smugglers, The Mermaid Inn stands tucked away on cobbled streets in the ancient Citadel of Rye in Sussex, England.

Dating back to the 12th Century, the current building still boasts it’s timber framing, oak panelling and it’s many, many secrets. The original cellars date from 1156 and hide under overhangs built from the timber of ships. The interior spans several floors, hides several secret passageways, Tudor fireplaces and even a priest hole.

It’s vast history, spanning over 600 years has many turbulent chapters, including becoming a stronghold of the notorious Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers in the 1700’s. Fuelling local legends, the gang would occupy tables at the inn - loaded weapons displayed for all to see - before escaping through the network of tunnels running from the ancient cellars to various other locations throughout the ancient port town of Rye.

With a history like this is it any wonder there are so many reports of hauntings?

I was lucky enough to visit a year ago and whilst I was only there for drinks and didn’t enter any of the hotel rooms, the ambience could be felt the second I stepped over the threshold. The dark panelling, wooden beams, numerous staircases and gargantuan fireplace created the perfect setting for a ghost story.

Ever had the feeling you weren’t alone? Perhaps you turned off the lights to sleep and felt the hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention? Lots of people that have visited The Mermaid Inn have…

ROOM 16: THE ELIZABETHAN BEDCHAMBER

This particular room has had numerous reports of figures, most notably two figures engaging in a duel complete with the unmistakable sound of clashing swords. Sightings include the loser being thrown down the stairs of the secret passageway. Other sightings include a man in a night gown illuminated by a spectral candle.

Here’s an account written by one of the guests:

‘In December 1993 we had booked 4 nights in the Elizabethan Bedchamber. It was our first ever visit to Rye. We knew nothing about The Mermaid’s Ghosts or that it was even haunted. On our first night after a couple of drinks in the bar, we retired to our room at about midnight. Around 4.00am suddenly and for no reason, we both sat bolt upright in bed. There was an eerie presence. The warm and toasty room had suddenly turned strangely cold and we could hear a fight going on in the corner of the room. By the fireplace there were huffs and puffs and sounds of clashing knives. We could see shapes moving, as if looking through opaque glass. They fought violently. It was very scary. The next evening, we told the barman and he produced an old newspaper article about ghosts in the Elizabethan Bedchamber that had been written by 2 journalists who had stayed there 6 months earlier. It read word for word as we had seen it. The second night the same thing happened, but only I saw it. In the intervening years, we have stayed in the same room but have never seen such happenings again.’

ROOM 5: THE NUTCRACKER SUITE.

The nutcracker suite is reportedly home to the ‘Lady-in-White’, with many guests retelling their sightings of her. It is said that she glides across the room pausing at the foot of the bed as if looking at whoever is currently inhabiting it.

ROOM 1: JAMES

Interestingly, this room also boasts reports of the Lady-in-White, however in this chamber she is seen sitting in a chair in the corner near the grand fireplace. Many guests that have seen her wake up to find the clothes they left in that very chair to be soaking wet,

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The floorboards creak, but is it due to the age of the building, or something else?

If you’ve been and experienced something drop a comment below and tell me all about it!