Halloween in Havering: the borough’s most haunted locations

From Romford to Upminster, check out our list of some of the creepiest sites across the borough below. 

Golden Lion 

The Golden Lion has a rich history, with connections to Francis Bacon and William Shakespeare (Image: Ben Lynch)

Set in High Street, just off Market Place, Romford’s Golden Lion pub is packed with history, both ominous and otherwise. 

With connections to both Francis Bacon and William Shakespeare, it dates back to the 15th Century, giving it plenty of time to have amassed a few hauntings. 

According to the Greene King website, there are about 23 ghosts that have manifested there, including a female ghost, called ‘the white lady’. 

Allegedly murdered in Harold Hill in the 1890s, several people claim to have seen her, with a psychic also saying they could feel her presence. 

According to the website, a local historian said: “Never has an exorcism been required. The Golden Lion ghosts are nice ghosts.” 

Brookside Theatre 

A chair moves by itself at Brookside theatre, in South Street, Romford (Image: Brookside Theatre)

The award-winning Brookside Theatre made national news back in 2014 when CCTV footage appeared to show a chair and table moving by themselves, with floating orbs also flying across the screen. 

Even creepier, the footage shows the moving objects just hours after psychic medium Roy Roberts had been on stage. 

Mr Roberts said at the time: “It’s phenomenal. I’ve never been so excited about the possibility of ghosts before. This is the best footage I’ve ever seen of ghosts in action. 

“When I was doing the reading, I did feel a strong sense but just didn’t know what it was. This is unbelievable.” 

Rainham Hall 

Rainham Hall is allegedly still haunted by its Edwardian owner (Image: Google)

While ghosts and ghouls are rarely thought of as friendly, that is exactly how the Great British Ghost Tour describes the otherworldly occupant of Rainham Hall. 

A Georgian home, built in 1729, Rainham Hall is said to still be haunted by its Edwardian owner, Colonel Mulliner. 

Mr Mulliner had, according to the Great British Ghost Tour, became “so attached” that he haunts it to this day. 

And yes, the website adds he is regarded as “friendly”. 

Bretons Manor 

The Recorder previously visited Bretons Manor with the Essex Paranormal Society (Image: Adriana Elgueta)

Another Rainham site, Bretons Manor is said to have hosted a number of metaphysical visitations over the years. 

This includes a lady in white being seen on the lower half of the stairs, and Roman soldiers walking through walls in the basement. 

In 2020, the Recorder accompanied the Essex Paranormal Society to one of their séances in the building, specifically in the room where the spirit of a First World War soldier’s wife was said to still be pining over her husband's death.

At a previous seance a member claimed to have caught a child ghost on camera and had someone going through their pockets.

The group were out of luck though, as reporter Adriana Elgueta wrote at the time: “It must have been a quiet night in the spirit world, however, for not one came to talk to us and no-one had their pockets rifled.” 

Upminster Golf Club 

Upminster Golf Club's ghost allegedly only haunts the first-floor hallway (Image: Archant)

The Paranormal Database lists several haunted locations in Upminster, one of which being the golf club. 

A young girl in a white dress is believed to have been seen on multiple occasions, who, the website adds, is thought to have been “kidnapped, raped and finally bricked up behind a wall in the 1600s”. 

For those looking to avoid any ghostly encounters, the website adds that she only haunts the first-floor hallway of the club.