‘Ghostly revels’ at Knighton Gorges, near Newchurch, hit the national headlines over the Christmas period back in 1924 – 100 years ago.
Partying at Knighton Gorges during the Roaring Twenties was a somewhat strange idea, as the manor house had been demolished over a century before, with only the gateposts left standing.
The absence of the former manor house in the 20th century was apparently no impediment to revellers – said to have been dressed in the height of 18th-century fashion.
One such report stated:
“The supernatural manifestations at Knighton Gorges, in the Isle of Wight, at Yuletide have caused considerable interest among occultists.
“A lady who visited the place with a friend interestingly has described their experiences, giving that friend’s view and not merely her own.
“At a place where once there had been a house they saw the phantom building as it was long ago.”
The writer related her friend’s experience as follows:
“She was spellbound at the sight of a man’s form standing at one of the windows dressed in 18th century costume, black small clothes, frilled shirt, white silk stockings and his dark hair tied back with a ribbon.
“We both heard cheering and the clapping of hands.”
Later on, one of the ladies claimed to have heard a rich tenor voice lustily singing “God Rest You, Merrie Gentlemen”.
The story continued:
“The field was seen to be aglow with light apparently reflected from the windows of the house, the deep baying of dogs was heard, as well as the more piercing yapping of smaller dogs, the confused murmur of voices, the music of flute and violin, the sounds of greeting as guests arrived and so forth.
“All this on the site of a famous place where a few stones and a gatepost or two remain as the the relics of a mansion where Davy Garrick, John Wilkes and other wits of the period were entertained many, many years ago.”
The newspaper report went on to inform its readers of the curious fact that Knighton Gorges was no more.
“The house was completely demolished to carry into fulfilment the former owner’s oath that his nephew and heir, who had displeased him, should never enter his dwelling.”
Knighton Gorges has had a long history of reported hauntings in the previous century and beyond detailed in the following Island Echo article.
The former manor house is said to return to its previous splendour annually on New Year’s Eve.
We wish Island Echo readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, including any restless spirits from the 18th century who may have access to electronic media…
Such a shame this old Grand House was demolished.
Great story, keep them coming.