Ghostly Encounter at Broadlands House: The Tragic Tale of a Lace Factory and a Haunting: Nestled on the Isle of Wight, Broadlands House holds a rich history that stretches back to the early 19th century. Originally established as Nunn’s Lace Factory in 1827, the site evolved from a bustling lace manufacturing hub into a shelter for destitute women. However, this historical location is also known for an eerie presence that has haunted visitors for decades.
Key Points
The Rise and Fall of Nunn’s Lace Factory
In the early 1800s, Nunn’s Lace Factory was a prominent employer on the Isle of Wight. Located in Staples, Newport, this remote factory was one of the largest on the island, producing exquisite French Blonde lace. Its location was chosen specifically to keep the factory’s intricate lace-making machinery, the traverse warp, away from prying competitors.
The lace created at the factory was delicate, as fine as a spider’s web, and commanded high prices. Queen Victoria herself was said to be among the factory’s clientele, a testament to the quality of its products. For several years, the factory thrived as high society adorned themselves with its beautiful lace.
However, as fashion trends shifted, so did the factory’s fortunes. By the 1870s, demand for lace waned, and William Henry Nunn, who had no son to inherit the business, decided to retire. The factory closed, leaving 200 men, women, and children unemployed.
Queen Victoria wore
A Charitable Turn and Tragic Loss
In 1880, Broadlands House found new purpose as a charitable establishment, offering shelter to 40 “poor spinsters and widows” who had fallen on hard times. Additionally, it trained young working-class girls to become servants, helping them secure jobs across Newport.
Tragically, in January 1904, a fire claimed the life of one such girl. Alice Barton, just 14 years old, was left alone in the matron’s sitting room. While standing on a fender near the fireplace to reach for some papers, an ember fell onto her dress, igniting the fabric. Despite efforts to save her, Alice succumbed to her injuries, leaving a dark shadow over the charitable organization.
A Haunting at Broadlands House
By the 1930s, the charity had closed, and in 1949, Broadlands House was purchased by England’s Ministry of Labour. Decades later, in 1982, the building’s ghostly past emerged in full force when Linzi Mathews, an employee of the Department of Health and Social Security, had a spine-chilling encounter.
One afternoon, as Linzi sat in the first-floor ladies’ restroom, she saw something out of place—a small foot in an old-fashioned shoe appearing under the door of her stall. This sight was puzzling since the door reached all the way to the floor. The shoe was pointed, grey, and adorned with buttons, with a lace-trimmed petticoat hovering just above it. Linzi froze in fear, unable to move. Moments later, the ghostly foot disappeared.
After composing herself and gathering the courage to open the door, she found no one in the restroom, though the sensation of a presence lingered. When she shared her experience with her colleagues, they revealed that she was not the first to encounter the Broadlands ghost. Over the years, employees reported seeing, hearing, and even smelling the spirit’s presence. The distinct scent of toast often accompanied these ghostly apparitions.
Footsteps were frequently heard echoing through the empty upper rooms late in the afternoon. Additionally, staff claimed to hear knocking sounds and the movement of furniture on the top landing of the house.
The Mystery of the Broadlands Ghost
Who was the spirit that haunted Broadlands House? Many believe it to be the restless soul of Alice Barton, the young girl who perished in the fire. Others speculate that the ghost could be one of the many women who sought refuge at the charitable home during its years of operation.
As Linzi pondered her unsettling encounter, she couldn’t help but wonder whether the lace-trimmed petticoat she saw belonged to a garment made during the factory’s heyday in the 1800s. The ghost’s presence served as a reminder of the tragic events that had unfolded within the walls of Broadlands House, forever intertwining the history of the lace factory with the haunting legacy of its past residents.
