A History of Fort Purbrook - Ghosthunt 25 October 2024

Fort Purbrook, constructed in the 1870s along with the other hilltop forts, has a unique history steeped in military use and shrouded in local legends. Unlike its counterparts, Fort Purbrook features more modern defensive designs, as it was one of the last to be completed. Throughout its active years, the fort played a pivotal role in military operations, seeing service during both World Wars. It was a training ground for the home guards and stored military vehicles and equipment. During its heyday, it also served as a staging area for troops heading to Europe and functioned as a radar training facility for both the Navy and RAF.

By the mid-1960s, the fort was turned over to the local council, left abandoned and suffering from vandalism. However, in the early 1980s, Councillor Peter Ashley took the initiative to transform the site into a hub for outdoor sports, giving local children a space away from city life. With the help of a youth training program, the fort was gradually restored, leading to the opening of clubs like judo and archery. Today, the Peter Ashley Centres oversee activities at the fort, now serving over 70,000 visitors annually.

Fort Purbrook's long and varied history has made it a prime location for paranormal activity. Many ghost hunters have reported eerie encounters, from disembodied footsteps echoing through the tunnels to dark shadows following them around. Visitors have experienced everything from loud bangs to full-bodied apparitions, and on occasion, interaction with child spirits has been recorded.

Expect your ghost hunt at Fort Purbrook to be an intense experience, with access to several haunted areas of the fort, including three tunnels and the adjacent rooms. Shadowy figures are said to loom over visitors, stones have been known to mysteriously fly across rooms, and phantom footsteps are frequently heard. For those brave enough, lone vigils in dark, damp cells, areas notorious for paranormal activity, are a thrilling option.

Our team ensures you’re in safe hands as you explore this historic site. We’ll guide you through experiments designed to contact the spirits, offering a variety of ghost-hunting tools, and even the chance to try Victorian-style methods of communication. For the daring, spending time alone in one of the fort's haunted rooms may push your nerves to the limit.

Fort Purbrook is no stranger to haunted happenings, join us for a night filled with the potential for paranormal encounters in one of Portsmouth's most storied locations.