National Maritime Museum

Romney Road
Greenwich
London SE10 9NF

History

The museum is formed by the Queen’s House and two separate wings by colonnades and was first opened in 1937 as an extension to the Naval Asylum School, although the building dates back to as early as 1807. The museum is now home to a vast collection of exhibitions about mankind’s association with the sea.

Paranormal Activity

This museum is famous for possibly one of the most famous ghost photographs, taken by the Rev. and Mrs. Hardy from Canada in 1966, of the Tulip Staircase ghost, a shrouded figure who can be seen ascending the stairs.

The museum is also home to that of a ghost of a lady dressed in an all white period costume near Blackheath Avenue. Metal pans have also been heard moving about in the Tea Rooms.

Greenwich Theatre

Crooms Hill
London
SE10 8ES

History

Greenwich Theatre was originally known as the Rose and Crown Music Hall but in 1871 was refurbished by its new owner Charles Crowder and renamed to Crowders Music Hall. Since then the theatre has often been renamed, becoming known as the Temple of Varieties, the Royal Borough of Varieties before eventually being rebuilt and renamed the Parthenon Theatre of Varieties. The original façade with this name can still be seen today on the side of the theatre. 1902 saw Samuel and Daniel Barnard take over and renaming the theatre to the Greenwich Hippodrome Picture Palace showing a mix of film and live performances.

During the Second World War an incendiary bomb crashed through the roof into the auditorium and sadly the theatre was closed and remained empty until 1962 when it was bought for demolition by Greenwich Council but was saved by local donations to rebuild the theatre. The theatre finally re-opened in 1969 and by 1997 had been home to several West End transfers including Alan Ayckbourn’s ‘Intimate Exchanges’, Noel Coward’s ‘Private Lives’, Michael Frayn’s ‘Three Sisters’ and John Webster’s ‘The Duchess of Malfi’.

The theatre did briefly close during the 1990’s but was reopened again in 1999 under new direction.

Paranormal Activity

A white apparition is said to haunt this theatre and is believed to be that of an actress from the early 1900s and has been seen gliding through the restaurant below stage. It is said that her head and upper torso are not visible.

Old Royal Naval College

Maritime Greenwich
London
SE10 9NF

History

The Old Royal Naval College started life as Greenwich hospital in 1694 for local seamen and their dependents. The first pensioners arrived in 1705 and by 1814 a total of 2,710 lived there on a diet of bread, beer and boiled meat. Many smoked their clay pipes or ‘chalks’ in the Chalk Walk, now the Skittle Alley.

In 1869 the hospital was closed and remained closed until 1873 when it became the Royal Naval College for officers to be trained in naval sciences. The Navy left in 1997 to merge with the RAF and Army at a new Joint Services Staff College in Shrivenham.

Paranormal Activity

It is said admiral John Byng haunts this old building after he was executed by firing squad after being manacled to a wall in Queen Anne’s Court in 1757 for failing in his duty at the Battle of Minorca during the Seven Years War although it is believed he was used as a scapegoat for their own failings. Visitors have often reported that his ghost hold doors open for them and workmen swear that he has assisted them.

The 17th Century operating theatre here is also home to several ghosts. Marks are still visible where surgeons sharpened their knives and some say the sounds of steel on stone can still be heard.