Staying Overnight in the UK's MOST HAUNTED Hotel (Mermaid Inn in Rye) 

The George and Pilgrim in Glastonbury is seriously haunted. I stayed in The Monks Cell and was absolutely terrified for my life. I was neither a believer or unbeliever, but after experiencing that place, I can categorically say, there's certain 'energies' you can't explain. 😢

I am a member of The Ghost Club, the oldest paranormal society in the world. A few years we did our annual day out around Rye. We went into The Mermaid Inn for a drink, lovey place. We also visited Lamb House. Henry James lived there, he wrote A Turn Of The Screw. The idea for the famous ghost story was given to him by E W Benson who became Archbishop of Canterbury. Benson was a member of the Ghost Club at Cambridge in 1851. His son E F Benson a famous writer of ghost stories, brought Lamb House after Henry James died. A ghost is said to be seen in the garden.

I stayed at the Mermaid Inn many years ago. It was a wonderful place to eat, drink and rest. Unfortunately, I had a violent argument with a rough-looking gentleman in the bar, which led to my throat being cut. The wound was so deep my head was almost severed. It was nearly 400 years ago, but it feels like it was just yesterday. I often tell the story to the hotel's guests, usually while they are in their beds, just about to fall asleep. Maybe I will tell you next time you stay. Perhaps I will even show you the wound.

I live in Rye and love it. As a subscriber I was delighted when I saw this! My husband was head chef at The Mermaid and did meet a lot of famous people, we had our marriage dinner there and my son worked there too. It really is a very popular and special place. I wish I had bumped into you guys. Thank you!

Look at Chillingham Castle. Now that is scary!

I stayed there in the 80's with my first wife and it was definitely very creepy. Lots of creaking floorboards and a definite feeling that someone was in the room with us in the middle of the night. My wife hardly slept at all and we were both glad when the sun came up.

Love Rye, many years ago when I first met my wife we went on a late night walk through the cemetery in Pluckly (not that far from Rye) it’s supposedly the most haunted village. It was a bit of a foggy evening, needless to say my wife was absolutely fine but I was totally freaked.

The story of smuggling on the South East Coast is a amazing. There was so much money to be made, everyone was involved. The local parsons, magistrates, the local inns etc. Everyone turned a blind eye. There was a running gun battle on Eastbourne beach between Revenue men and smugglers. This involved in a British Navy ship opening fire on the town and damaging the local church! The Hawkshurst Gang were fearless and brutal. Too brutal for the locals, turned them in, and then caught, a lot were executed.

Thank you for visiting The Mermaid. Rye is a place that is vivd on my childhood memories. The whole coast from Kent to Cornwall is famous for Smugglers and hauntings related to smuggling.

Glad to see you’re enjoying some of our historic (and haunted) hotels 👻

As someone who grew up in an older house in the U.K, i can tell you that just hearing random bangs and creaking noises as it changes temperature isn’t unusual 😛

You’re braver than I am as I would never stay anywhere known to be haunted as I’m quite sure I’d be in for a restless night. It was lovely to see inside the Inn. The look of it reminded me of Plas Mawr a beautiful Elizabethan house in Colwyn Bay near the castle in Wales.

Delighted to see you visiting my part of the world. I drive through Rye regularly for work and live just along the coast in Eastbourne. Rye has such a history as have many towns and villages in this area. Hopefully you get to revisit and see more of Sussex

If you are going to have "the crap scared out of me" then being on the toilet is a good place to be.

From my experience, what would particularly interest me is - how were your dreams when you were asleep there, in your sub-conscious state. Also the behaviour of your dog (however, it seems he may be fairly elderly).

I stayed at that hotel back in the 1970's with my then girlfriend. No ghostly encounters that I can remember. However, I do recall my car alarm kept going off in the hotel car park which required re-setting on at least 3 occasions during the night. Maybe it was caused by some entity or, just the wind rocking the car. Great hotel then & probably still is now.

I love that you've brought your dog with you, More spooky stuff in the future please.

Knew soon as I saw the title it must be the inn in Rye. Love those old inns with ties to smuggling like The Jamaica Inn in Cornwall

My wife and I have stayed at The Mermaid many times over the last 30 years, and while I don't believe ghosts exist, my wife (who's a bit more sympathetic to the possibility of such things) says the second time we stayed she awoke to find a shadowy figure standing by the bed, head inclined down towards her, as if watching her. She said that she was not at all scared, though, because she felt a strong sense of benign curiosity and friendliness from the figure, which gradually faded over a few seconds. Me, I'd think it a hypnopompic hallucination, conditioned by the context of being in such a reputedly haunted place, but it's fun to imagine it was indeed a friendly ghost. The Mermaid is, as you say, a pretty noisy place, with lots of creaks and thumps from people moving around the building, and the lack of any sort of noise insulation in the fabric of the building (common for such old buildings) can make noises that are actually outside the room seem like they're happening right next to you. Although we stayed one time and there was a wedding party in the function room below our room. The Mermaid left a note on our bed apologising for the noise in advance, advising us that it would not go on after 12:00 AM, and telling us to call room service for a free bottle of champagne, which we gladly did. We enjoyed an excellent dinner in the restaurant, and by the time we got back to our room after port, coffee and digestifs in the lounge, it was around 11:30, and the party was winding down...but by jingo, it was loud! It felt like the DJ was in our room! The pre-dinner champagne helped us to fall asleep pretty quickly though... :)

Great video glad you are back over here, Love that you both brought Carly with you this time, have fun can not wait to see where you go next. Love from Edinburgh xx

Love the bookcase. Very Scooby Doo 👻

When I got the notification just now and saw the title, I wondered if it would be The Mermaid Inn at Rye. I've never stayed there because I only live a few miles away, but I'm looking forward to watching this! 🙂

Pretty sure we measure our TVs the same way as you guys, it's the diagonal of the screen in inches.

Try Chillingham castle Northumberland....😮

Just a FYI Rye is not a city it is a town. A city is something very specific in the UK. To be a city the monarch must give it a royal charter. There are 76 cities in the UK. Most, but not all have cathedrals some do not.

I think you'd like the New Forrest. Also if you like Jane Austen you can visit her house in Chawton and then take a trip to Alton to see many of the places she would have seen.

Just wanted to say I've just found your channel and have lost a good two hours or more watching your trips to the UK. It's fantastic to see such a refreshing viewpoint of something that's new. Sadly it reminds me that the old saying familiarity breeds contempt and us Brits need to appreciate what we have so much more. Thank you, I suspect I have a few (!) more to watch

I've been to Rye many a time, love it there! It's widely know that the Mermaid inn is haunted which has even been on TV. Take a trip to nearby Hastings and have meal in the Pump House, Old town

OMG, I love Rye, and have been to The Mermaid on a number of occasions, but never stayed. I had no idea it was haunted tho - excuse for another visit methinks!

I still have nightmares about hotels I've stayed in. Dirty hotels and sloppy service. I've heard of this hotel, i wouldn't mind staying there for a night or two.

Great atmospheric videos guys. If you want spooky you really must check out The Bodmin Jail attraction, Cornwall.

Great episode! some of my favourite videos to watch are either exploring, history or paranormal based. Now you have ticked all three!

I stayed at the mermaid hotel. After we checked in we were walking to the room, on the way we passed a mirror and in the mirror there was someone behind us wearing modern day clothes. I though it was one of the hotel staff but when I turned round there was no one there.

Yay! Secret passageway behind a fake bookcase, what's not to love. If I ever build a house it's on my list 😁

As a UK resident born and bred - I very much believe in unexplained events. During my teens I lived in a very old house where there was a lot of known activities. We knew nothing of them until my parents had bought the property. The first time we went downstairs in the morning to find our living room furniture turned upside down, we all 'blamed' my brother, when our oven started turning on by itself, mum and dad called an electrician in. Heavy old sash windows would open and close supposedly by themselves. We as a family lived through it - the thing that made us leave was an horrific smell... It was putrid - dad called in plumbers and everything was fine with the plumbing. Mum continuously cleaned with bleach and disinfectant - the smell continued until the day we left... the owners after us lived there for 12 months and then sold up and left.

I live down the road from Rye and booked the Elizabeth an rom on the 3rd of June 2024,supposed to be two ghosts that been seen in a sword fight,wish us luck.

I’m literally lying on my bed in the Elizabethan chamber watching your video. The spectral duellists haven’t shown up yet … but the night is young

Carly is an awesome little dogo she's super super cute the Swan is full of spirits especially behind the bar 😉😂

i used to frequent a pub that was about 200 years old - on receiving my pint i asked the landlord "is this pub haunted? .. he asked why and i said " look at this pint - its headless!" .. true story.

Supercool adventure!! I do hope you are feeling lots better now xxx

It looks like you both had an interesting time at this haunted hotel and it seems your dog experienced something also in your room with the fixated gaze in one area of the room. It's amazing that dogs can see things that we humans can't. There is a saying in the UK that ghosts cannot hurt you but the living can. Great video again and thank you for posting.

Great video. You have certainly done your homework on that place and its fascinating history. X

First time i've see your channel and i think you are both lovely, love your gorgeous doggie too. Thank you, thoroughly enjoyed this.

Such an interesting place. Thanks for filming; great job.

Anyone else see the thing moving down at 04:56? It happens when the camera pans right to left and appears out of nowhere and moves quickly down then vanishes.

Awesome love your ghost venture in the uk. You should pay a visit to Gloucester. This place has some great history and some good ghost stories.

Ive got the most haunted kitchen! Whenever I make a meal for anybody, they fall ill!

There is also a secret tunnel below the Mermaid Inn that goes to The Anchor Inn. 👻👻🏴‍☠🏴‍☠🏴‍☠

We stayed in the Moore bedroom loved it 💕

Love your enthusiasm!

Love this ...we are staying in a haunted hotel in Lincoln ( England, near where I live) with is a fantastic city by the way. And I'm now buying same EMF gadget 😂 Thanks guys, I love watching your vlogs xxx

If you are near Hasting on 1st May, you should go to The Green Man Festival. Lots of edgy Morris Dancers, The Green Man, drum groups etc. Very friendly, with a bit of modern pagan elements. Not to be forgotten!

I’m a bit skeptic about that monitor you have. I’m sure the dog is probably a better sensor of ghosts etc.

I've always wanted to stay at the Mermaid. And at the end of February, my lovely wife treated us both a overnight stay for my 60th birthday. And we stayed in Dr Syns Chamber. Absolutely loved it. Will come back again.

Hi you two! And the swordfight is always at 3 o'clock in the middle of the night! I know these things - I be Dr Syn! I always have my morning coffee in Dr Syn's Chamber downstairs and very nice to see you be a stayin' in Syn's bedchamber, I've not seen that particular room. The first time I stayed there was around 40 years ago but during the last 12 years I holiday every May in and around Rye and last year I stayed again at the Mermaid Inn. Judith is lovely and often she will take guests on a "guided" tour of her Inn. A period outfit I had made back in 2005 is from the period 1690 to 1710 and my cousin bet me a pint I wouldn't have it made for a large Family gathering the next year, so red rag to a bull and I did and so I can dress as my 6th great grandfather. It is also the 'right' period for Russell Thorndike's books on Dr. Syn who was vicar and smuggler of Dymchurch on Romney Marsh. So for over a decade I've taken my period outfit and I walks they cobbled street in Rye a tellin' they people 'bout Dr Syn an' smugglin' on the levels at nightfall, and all the dark deeds. Patrick McGoohan played the part of Dr Syn, it was a black & white film made in 1963. Worth Googling, you can download the film. Ah ha, Jim lad, thee be careful now - watch the wall my darlings as the gentlemen ride by (Rudyard Kipling's poem).

i use to work at hill house hospital back in the 80s love rye, but now live in devon, great video

Best YT channel - as a Brit 🇬🇧 a lot can be learned from you both with the places you visit 👍 … watching the rest of the video - I’d be out there like a shot! 😱

Amazing history and hotel.

You are so brave, l would be terrified to stay there although l love Rye. So glad you enjoy the Uk, please stay we need lovely people like you. Love from London❤. LP

Beautiful inn and great video. There is a fantastic sandy beach at Camber Sands, only a few miles south of Rye (but avoid weekends in summer as it gets insanely busy).

Most Haunted has returned, reinvented by The Magic Geekdom yay! Love it!

Years ago. Perhaps 30 years ago, I was travelling through South Wales with an elderly friend of mine. He was from that way on and wished to introduce me to an old school friend of his called Gwyn. I can`t remember the exact town she lived in but as she opened the door to us and invited us in to her semi-detatched council house I had a feeling of unease. My friend introduced me to this lovely old lady. As soon as I stepped into the hallway I wanted to leave. At some point during the meal we shared together I had to use the bathroom - which meant I had to go upstairs. I was really frightened and had absolutely no idea why. Anyway, that being done I quickly returned downstairs. Upon leaving the house the sense of relief was palpable. When my frined and I returned to North Lincolnshire, where we both lived, I explained to my friend how I felt upon entering Gwyn`s house ( My friend was a Catholic Priest, now dead 20years ). "Oh, Steve, " he replied to me. "Why didn`t you tell me whilst we were there ? I`ve been trying to get Gwyn out of that house for the past twenty years. The previous tenants, you see, turned out to be Satanists and `witches.` Whatever they were, they left something there that I could feel - and it felt far from right. I had no idea, never having met Gwyn before nor been to her house before. All I did know was that I was in that house and I wanted to get out.

That was so scary even just watching it! You are brave

Just so you all know - there are many most haunted hotels, churches, castles, ruins, etc in the UK just as over here in the USA.

You would love staying in the tower at Warwick castle 👍🏻😀

The Mermaid is haunted by 20th century plumbing in an old timber framed building. 😁 I've been visiting Rye since I was a small boy in the mid 1960s. I never knew the Mermaid was haunted, just old. Maybe it's a more recent tourist thing.

Love it. TFS.

Great vid, I live in a flat in north devon (rented sadly) parts of it are 16th century and it is haunted, someting climbs the stairs in the early hours...

on the toilet is the best place to be when you have the crap scared out of you lol

That was a fun video, my house dates back to the 15th century and was originally an Inn. Sadly have no ghost stories that I know of and have never experienced one.

So much hidden history in and around Rye. The smuggling gang was named after the village of Hawkhurst about ten miles north west of Rye, and was a seriously large gang. Its interests even stretched down as far as Bournemouth in Dorset over sixty miles away. Beneath Rye there are a number of tunnels. Whether they were dug in relation to smuggling or for other reasons, we will probably never know. Also a number of the roof spaces in the old houses are connected. It allowed smugglers to enter one house to avoid the law. They would then move from house to house and exit a different property and disappear. The Mermaid Inn itself had a death that was directly linked to the Hawkhurst gang. I do not remember the details, but you did mention people had seen two ghosts sword fighting and it is surmised that these two things could be related. Also with the Mermaid Inn, a number of royals have stayed there, including Elizabeth 1st. Plus the Queen mother (wife of King George VI), who became The warden of the cinque ports. Dr Syn, is from the series of books by Russel Thorndike and has quite a few elements based on fact. It was adapted into a great film with Patrick McGoohan. After a decent winters walk around the area, nothing used to beat going to the bar at the rear of the Mermaid, getting a glass of ten year old port and sitting by the open fire. If you do get back this way, give me a shout. Not far away is Winchelsea that also has some interesting history and has Spike Milligans Grave. Can also show you the road Spike used to live on, "Dumb Womans Lane" (sorry, I didn't name it). Camber is not far away and was the filming location for a number of movies, including some Carry On films. You wouldn't believe a film crew could make a beach look like the Sahara desert, but hey. And further on from Camber is Romney Marsh. The people are lovely, but erm, just makes you think there is a lot of cousins marrying each other. Also Hastings and the town of Battle of 1066 fame are not far. And Bodiam Castle is a great visit as well.

One of my ancestors was caught for being in the hawkhurst gang he was put in gibbits

I dare not ask what the (not gentle) bed test is!? Sounds vigorous! 🤣

People who have stayed there include Henry Dodge ( American car magnate ) Henry James ( The Mermaid Inn has been visited by a lot of notable persons in history. It has become their home for a short period of time. Among the famous personalities who have visited the hotel are ) Pierce Brosnan; Andy Garcia; Johnny Depp; Charlie Chaplin; Prince Edward and Elizabeth (Queen Mother) Judi Dench, Joanna Lumley, Michael Caine, David Jason, Donald Sinden, Chas n Dave, and Nicolas Parsons, to name but a few! 😲😲😲😲Several artists have also been at the hotel. 👻👻👻

If I believed in ghosts I’d have been crapping myself. Love seeing you two experience the UK as a fresh thing every day and actually caring about the history. So many people in England just walk past the buildings and don’t notice.

Woah awesome place👻. I think that was the spirit of Jake, you picked up on the EMF meter. Imagine waking in the middle of the night to see him slithering across the floor 😁🤣

Fun fact: every hotel in the UK is equally haunted!

I stayed at this beautiful hotel a few years ago, it’s so cosy and full of history. We stayed in Dr Syns Bedchamber, the manager Judith is such a wonderful person to talk to

You need to take a look at The Ostrich Inn, Colnbrooke, Slough. Room 8.

GREAT VIDEO

nice😊 fun, spooky

Cool, I randomly clicked on the video not knowing where you were then instantly recognised Rye, as I used to live there nearly 30 years ago

looking out of that window reminds me of the scene in Bree when Strider is watching the wraiths in the room opposite discover that the beds are empty.

You're back in the UK now? Welcome back with your lovely doggy. There's a lady in red in one of the bedrooms with a photo of Chris de Burgh on the wall. Keeps the ghosts away.

“Lizzie Borden took an axe/And gave her mother forty whacks/When she saw what she had done/She gave her father forty one”.

That's scary Will love to visit

Robin Hoods Bay near Whitby is where he smuggled his goods in!

I live in Kent just within the M25, Kent postcode but London borough. Been to Rye a few times but years ago stayed in Boscastle hall hotel in Leamington Spa, supposedly a haunted hotel. Haven't been here though.

Jamaica Inn is also similar. Nice video guys 😊 EDIT: Getting an EMF is above and beyond.

I don’t think you need that crazy detector thing when you have a dog with you. They would pick up on any weird energies before an $18 gadget from Amazon.

You guy's are BRAVE! 😰

When in Rye you should go to Great Dixter. Even for non gardeners, it is an amazing place. I hop you soon felt better.

Your dog is so cute ❤

If there are ghosts in the hotel, your dog will let you know.

Those old places are nuts, there won't be a straight line in the place. It's no wonder everyone hears weird noises when the structure is 600 year old tree branches.

It's a shame it doesn't say 'Ye Olde Fire Exit' next to the secret door!

To be fair most of the old hotels in England claim to be the most haunted to compete with other hotels for booking purposes.

631 is that window art of a headless woman

I am so envious of you going to The Mermaid Inn, i loved doing ghost hunting things, but a few years ago i became disabled. I live in Scotland, i recommend Mary King's Close in Edinburgh, and the vaults there. I love the English Lake District, you need to visit Muncaster Castle. They have a tapestry room which is haunted. You can stay at the Coachman's Quarters there, and your adorable wee dog can stay too. We stayed there years ago with our dog, there are great walks around the grounds. I've just subscribed to you, loving the content, lots of variety which is great.🤗

I think the King's Head is the most haunted in the UK however I bet the UK has a ton of haunted hotels.