Free Essential Information Location Queen's House Book your tickets Plan your visit Rumours that great historic houses are haunted are not uncommon. What makes our ghosts special is that people believe they have been captured in a photograph. The Reverend Hardy’s famous photograph In 1966 a retired Canadian reverend and his wife visited the Queen’s House. The Rev and Mrs R W Hardy had heard about the famous Tulip staircase and took a photograph. It was not until they developed it once they were back home, that they saw it had also captured the image of a shrouded figure. On closer inspection, the figure appears to be ascending the stairs in pursuit of a second and possibly a third figure. The Rev Hardy 'ghost' photo courtesy of the Mary Evans Picture Library The Rev and Mrs R W Hardy were adamant that the stairway was clear when they took the photograph, and a thorough investigation not long after it was taken could not give a definitive, rational explanation for what the picture shows. As the Rev Hardy said in a later letter, the mystery remained as deep as ever. The Ghost Club investigates As news of the spectral photograph spread, seven members of paranormal investigation organisation The Ghost Club decided to spend the night of Saturday 24 June 1967 in the Queen’s House. Their purpose was to see the ghost or ghosts, and to: Film them, record them, or make contact with them by holding a séance in the vicinity of the staircase Detailed instructions were issued to the participants. They had to wear soft-soled shoes, synchronise their watches and carry a working torch, notebook and pencil at all times. Everything was to be noted down, from odd noises and smells to any feeling of a presence. However, the vigil and séance produced no conclusive evidence of the paranormal. More recent sightings One of our Gallery Assistants had an unsettling experience in 2002. He was talking to two colleagues when he saw a figure gliding across a balcony, dressed in an old-fashioned, white-grey dress and passing through a wall... Want to know more? If you visit the Queen's House and find your interested is piqued, please email Geraldine Charles at GLChar@rmg.co.uk. Visit now Queen's House Plan your visit Top things to do You might also enjoy The Tulip Stairs Climb the first self-supporting spiral stair in Britain Ghost Ships Delve into several hair-raising tales from our collection Inigo Jones and the Queen's House Discover how England’s first Classical building was created Symbolism in portraits of Queen Elizabeth I Find out more about the Tudor symbols used in portraits of Queen Elizabeth I and discover what they mean History of the Queen's House The centre of Greenwich for hundreds of years, the beautiful Queen's House has also been at the heart of royal life Shop gifts inspired by Queen's House Explore the significance of the Queen's House, the oil paintings it houses, and its place within Royal Greenwich Shop Icons: The Armada Portrait £12.99 This illustrated guide gives an overview of the context, creation and significance of the Portrait, alongside evaluation of Elizabeth’s legacy... Buy Now Shop British Kings & Queens Cotton Tote Bag £18.00 Cotton tote bag featuring illustrations of the Kings and Queens of England from 1066 to the present day: from William 1 to King Charles III... Buy Now Shop Royal Greenwich: A History in Kings and Queens by Pieter van der Merwe £20.00 Discover the rich royal history of the area where Henry VIII built his first tournament ground, Elizabeth I took daily walks in the Park, and where Charles II raced early royal yachts against his brother... Buy Now Royal Museums Greenwich Close Choose your tickets Queen's House Internationally renowned art Stunning architecture The Van de Veldes: Greenwich, Art and the Sea Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I Free entry Book online BOOK NOW Become a Member Unlimited entry all year Royal Observatory Cutty Sark Planetarium Shows Special exhibitions Direct Debit One-off Individual: £50 Individual: £60 Family: from £60 Family: from £70 JOIN TODAY Member tickets Free and fast-track Museums entry Priority booking Access using your membership card Membership card number required BOOK NOW