Knighton Gorges is the place to be on New Years Eve

Tomorrow night will see a flock of ghosthunters make their way to Knighton Gorges, a lovely little place outside of Brading on the Isle of Wight. Why? Because that is where the old mansion of Knighton Gorges once sat until it was pulled down in 1821 by George Maurice Bisset, rumoured to prevent his daughter from inheriting it, but more so as it was an expensive place to maintain. However, the stories go beyond this and tales of betrayal, sadness and everything else you would expect from a place surrounded by a cloud of mystery and intrigue.

All that remains of the house are the old gateposts and an old wall surrounded in trees and foliage. Knighton Gorges is now claimed to be the most haunted place on the island.

Knighton Gorges Gateposts

And I’ve been there! Caroline and I visited it on our mini trip back in February this year and no matter what anyone says, the atmosphere is different to anywhere else I’ve been. You marvel at the gateposts, wondering who and what has been through there time and time again, almost expecting to step back in time and see the old mansion in all it’s glory. Except, there is still that chance…

A story exists that a man visited a house in Newchurch complaining about the large house down the road which ignored his knocks at the door. He was said to have even looked through the windows to see a party going on, music playing, and people in 18th century period dresses. When he pointed out to the residents of the house where he went, he pointed to where Knighton Gorges used to be.

People have also claimed that they saw stone creatures atop of the gateposts, and yet they are not there. A ghostly house and carriage has been seen to have pulled out of the gateposts and sped off up Knighton Shute. Ghostly music can sometimes be heard in the area.

Visiting on a cold February afternoon was probably not the ideal time to go and try spot these goings on. However, tomorrow, New Years Eve, is the time when that is said to be the time the old mansion reappears, to once again celebrate New Years Eve.

I unfortunately will not be present to see it this year, but maybe one year we will make it. I would love to hear if anyone has seen it or heard anything!

If you would like to read more, Gay Baldwin, author and journalist of the famous Isle of Wight ghost books, has written a new book called “The Ghosts of Knighton Gorges”, of which I am around half way through and the story is most intriguing. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the paranormal, and indeed, interested in the hauntings of Knighton Gorges.

A Happy New Year to all, and especially to you ghost hunters who will be there tomorrow night – Happy Hauntings!