Great British Ghosts opens with this very watchable first episode in which presenter Michaela Strachan first visits Rye, East Sussex to explore The Mermaid Inn and then the Old Town Gaol (or jail). Then in the second part of the show Michaela visits Michelham Priory near Hailsham also in East Sussex.
Michaela begins by meeting Judith Blincow who has owned The Mermaid Inn for the past 20 years. Judith takes Michaela around the historic inn and shows her some of the rooms where strange things have been witnessed. In room 16 guests have reported seeing a ghostly sword-fight re-enacted in the early hours of the morning. In another bedroom a figure has been seen emerging from one wall, crossing the room and passing through another wall. In all the inn is said to have at least five ghosts. Next Michaela meets with the town's heritage officer Peter Cosstick who tells her of the history of smuggling in the area, the history of the inn and its connection to the ruthless Hawkhurst Gang. It is said that the gang murdered a servant girl from the inn because they, wrongly, believed she had betrayed them.
Michaela leaves the inn to meet with local historian Ted Emson to explore the Old Town Gaol in Rye. Ted tells of the spooky experiences visitors have had including the presence of a 'wise woman' making potions and ghostly children. He also tells Michaela of the strange experience he had in the walled garden where a dark entity was detected crawling up a wall! At Michelham Priory, Michaela meets guide Roy Le Croisette who tells her of the ghosts he has seen and spoken to in the Prior's room and the kitchen. Paranormal Investigator Clint Davey has held a number of 'vigils' with his group at Michelham Priory. At the gatehouse he was pursued by a phantom dog whilst other members have seen a dark shadowy figure in the Music Room and a Canadian airman who was staying there during WWII. Finally, caretaker/manager Chris Tuckett - who actually lives at the Priory, tells of the strange events he experienced when a dresser moved across the floor scratching a figure of eight pattern onto the wooden floor.
This is a good start to the first series of the show. The three locations are all interesting both historically and in terms of the reported ghostly goings-on there. Michaela Strachan makes an engaging host and all of the people interviewed give reasonable accounts of what they or others have experienced. The programme leaves it to the viewer to decide whether they believe these reports or not.
Michaela begins by meeting Judith Blincow who has owned The Mermaid Inn for the past 20 years. Judith takes Michaela around the historic inn and shows her some of the rooms where strange things have been witnessed. In room 16 guests have reported seeing a ghostly sword-fight re-enacted in the early hours of the morning. In another bedroom a figure has been seen emerging from one wall, crossing the room and passing through another wall. In all the inn is said to have at least five ghosts. Next Michaela meets with the town's heritage officer Peter Cosstick who tells her of the history of smuggling in the area, the history of the inn and its connection to the ruthless Hawkhurst Gang. It is said that the gang murdered a servant girl from the inn because they, wrongly, believed she had betrayed them.
Michaela leaves the inn to meet with local historian Ted Emson to explore the Old Town Gaol in Rye. Ted tells of the spooky experiences visitors have had including the presence of a 'wise woman' making potions and ghostly children. He also tells Michaela of the strange experience he had in the walled garden where a dark entity was detected crawling up a wall! At Michelham Priory, Michaela meets guide Roy Le Croisette who tells her of the ghosts he has seen and spoken to in the Prior's room and the kitchen. Paranormal Investigator Clint Davey has held a number of 'vigils' with his group at Michelham Priory. At the gatehouse he was pursued by a phantom dog whilst other members have seen a dark shadowy figure in the Music Room and a Canadian airman who was staying there during WWII. Finally, caretaker/manager Chris Tuckett - who actually lives at the Priory, tells of the strange events he experienced when a dresser moved across the floor scratching a figure of eight pattern onto the wooden floor.
This is a good start to the first series of the show. The three locations are all interesting both historically and in terms of the reported ghostly goings-on there. Michaela Strachan makes an engaging host and all of the people interviewed give reasonable accounts of what they or others have experienced. The programme leaves it to the viewer to decide whether they believe these reports or not.