A Historic Gem with Unforgettable Charm, Food and Spooky Stories
On the edge of Hampstead Heath stands a grand, Grade II listed building, filled with winding staircases and a wealth of history. Built in 1585 as a tollgate inn, today, The Spaniard's Inn is known as one of London's most cherished, historic pub and restaurants. The building has been lovingly preserved with traditional wood-panelling and cozy fireplaces to create an eatery with a welcoming, warm atmosphere serving delicious, hearty meals. However, upon closer inspection you'll soon begin to uncover traces of times past.
The Tale of the Spanish Landlords
Legend has it that the Inn's name originated from two early, Spanish landlords, Francesco and Juan Porero. As can be the case when mixing family with business, things didn't end as well as they started. According to legend, the two brothers both fell deeply in love with the same woman, and fought a duel over her. Juan was killed and buried near the Inn, and it is thought that his ghost haunts the pub to this day. Could this be why two swords sit above the restaurant's name?
If that's not creepy enough, it is said that a woman in white is often seen lurking in the garden of the pub. Is this the sacred woman that caused the rift between the two brothers? We'll let you decide.
The Tale of Black Dick
As the story goes, another spirit that roams the dining rooms of the inn is that of a moneylender, known as 'Black Dick'. He was tragically trampled to his death by a horse and carriage just outside the pub and ever since, his ghost has been known to tug on the guest's arms when he thinks they've had enough to drink.
The Tale of Dick Turpin
Another tale told within the walls of the inn is that it was the birthplace of notorious highwayman, Dick Turpin. His father was the landlord of the inn, so Dick used to use it as a hideout to plan his highway robberies, targeting wealthy travellers on their way back to London. To this day, the upstairs room that's believed to have been his childhood bedroom, is decorated with hanging pictures of Dick on his horse Black Bess. The ghosts of Turpin and his horse have been seen by numerous guests, and there's no denying the presence that can be felt upstairs.
Today's Tales
While these stories date back to long, long ago- it seems that those pesky ghosts still frequent the walls of the Spaniard's Inn today. On a dull, drizzly October day, we went to investigate ourselves and took a visit to the famous Inn. We chatted to some of the staff about recent eerie hauntings, and here were a few stories of their own they had to share.
Name-Calling
Whether they're upstairs in Dick's dining room or outside in the White Lady's territory, the staff have heard their names being called, only to turn around to (you guessed it) nobody there. This isn't a once-off occurrence. In fact, our waitress told us that each member of staff have their own experience with this name-calling taunt.
Pet-rifying
In September 2022, a lady sat down for a meal accompanied by her old, sleepy dog. After a few minutes, her pet, usually a docile, tame animal, began acting rather bizarrely. He was fixated on a certain spot under the table opposite, and growling in a low-tone. The waitress and the lady tried all they could to distract the dog with treats, but his gaze couldn't be broken. Weeks later, another guest with their dog visited, this one a spritely little thing. This dog reacted in the same way, to exactly the same spot. Why? Yet to be uncovered.
Sunday Scaries
Just a few weeks ago, a family came in for Sunday lunch. They were served quite a fright when their water jug slid off the table and plummeted to the floor. The jug landed in an upright position with not a single crack or spill in sight. Our waitress admitted that some crockery can fall off the tables if there is condensation or a slope of some sort. However, this table was completely level and bone-dry. No reasoning can be made of the abnormal "accident" that happened that afternoon.
