The reputation of 50 Berkeley Square is infamous in the annals of paranormal research, with accounts featuring in countless volumes.

 

Stories relate how various people have been dramatically affected by what lurks within the walls of the premises. Some have allegedly died of fright. Various explanations are given for the disturbing phenomena experienced, including a murder, torture and imprisonment.

 

The attic is allegedly haunted by the apparition of young woman who committed suicide there, having purportedly thrown herself from the top floor windows after being abused by her uncle. The spirit is said to take the form of a brown mist or a figure in white. Cleaners have reported the sensation of being watched by unseen eyes. Since 1937 the building has been occupied by Maggs Bros, a firm of antiquarian book dealers. The London Dungeon has even created an interactive ride based on the location.

 

Pictured left is a view of Number 50 in the centre of a row of houses, courtesy of N. Chadwick.

Lord Lyttleton allegedly witnessed an apparition here in 1779. The phantom is supposed to “give warning of revenge or death”. The author Coxe provides no other details regarding the incident.

Lansdowne Row was preceeded by Lansdowne Passage, which ran between Berkeley Square and Curzon Street. It was used as an escape route for highwaymen, but was closed in the 1930’s. It was regarded as a very haunted place, although the author Coxe does not specify by what.

Piccadilly Place is now merely a narrow alley connecting Vine Street with Piccadilly, and Vine Place was once renowned for its Police Station that has now been replaced by a mixed-use devel­opment. However, whilst it was a Police Station it was said to be haunted by the apparition of a Sergeant Goddard who hung himself in one of the cells.