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LION HOTEL
Nye Timber Lane, Nyetimber, Near Bognor, Sussex. 2 miles from Bognor Regis
station
It is not known exactly when this old building was constructed, but it
was repaired in 1407 and is believed to be on a site mentioned in the Doomesday
Book.
It has many romantic associations, if one considers smuggling as 'romance',
for it is claimed a three-quarter mile long tunnel incorporated into the
foundations leads to the site of a former church and Barton Manor on the
coast. This manor was often used by the 'free traders' as a headquarters
and temporary cache before using the tunnel to bring in the contraband.
The pub, complete with a 'spy window' on the top floor as a safeguard
against unexpected calls by the customs men, also has a rambling staircase
and crazy floors, only one of which seems to be level.
Dudley Newman, the proprietor here in the 1960's, reported that the well-established
ghost is more heard than seen. The sounds of rustling heavy robes and silk
are far more often experienced than the witnessing of the phantom owner,
a tall lady in dark robes who frequents the ground floor rooms.
One explanation offered as to her identity is that she was the mistress
of one of the smugglers and was murdered as a result of 'knowing too much'.
Or maybe she is still looking for the 50 kegs of brandy that are supposed
to be hidden in the tunnel.
Reg Allatt, the current proprietor, in describing the layout of the building,
told me that 'behind the bed in room 5 there is a door which has been filled
in and there is no information about the room behind it, whilst in Room
7 there is an entrance to another at the top of the house which has remained
sealed for 40 years.'
The ghost walks through Room 5 and into Room 6, usually at approximately
three or four in the morning. Reg points out that all machinery is turned
off by time clocks and therefore could not account for the noises of footsteps.
He has often heard the inexplicable sounds, 'but', he admitted, 'I'm
afraid I bury my head beneath the bedclothes so I don't know if there is
anything to be seen'.
Story by Andrew Green: 'Our Haunted Kingdom'
