The Bow Bells pub, situated on Bow Road in London’s East End, is a well-known local institution with a history stretching back to the 1860s. While it is celebrated for its lively atmosphere and traditional fare, the Bow Bells is equally renowned for its reputation as one of London’s most peculiarly haunted pubs. Unlike many haunted establishments that claim a tragic or violent history, the Bow Bells is home to a spirit with a mischievous streak, whose antics have become the stuff of local legend and continue to puzzle and amuse both staff and patrons.
The primary focus of the paranormal activity at the Bow Bells is the ladies’ toilets. Over the years, countless women have reported the unnerving experience of the toilet flushing itself, sometimes repeatedly, while they are inside the cubicle. This phenomenon, which earned the spirit the nickname “the Phantom Flusher,” has persisted for decades and become so much a part of the pub’s identity that a sign above the bathroom door warns visitors to “beware of the ghost.” The flushing is not simply a case of faulty plumbing; it occurs at unpredictable intervals and often in response to the presence of individuals, leading many to believe that a playful entity is at work rather than a mechanical issue.
The most dramatic incident associated with the Phantom Flusher occurred in 1974, when the then-landlord and a group of curious investigators decided to hold a séance in an attempt to communicate with the spirit and, perhaps, persuade it to leave. As the séance progressed and the group called upon the ghost to make itself known, the atmosphere in the bathroom reportedly grew tense and heavy. Suddenly, without warning, the cubicle door swung open with such force that it shattered a pane of frosted glass. The violent reaction startled everyone present and was interpreted as a clear and forceful response from the entity, one that left no doubt about its presence and its unwillingness to be exorcised. The story quickly spread, cementing the Bow Bells’ reputation as a haunted pub and turning the Phantom Flusher into a local celebrity of sorts.
Since that memorable night, the ghost’s activity has continued unabated. Many women have described entering the toilets and feeling a sudden chill or an inexplicable breeze, even when the windows are closed and there is no draught. Some have reported hearing unexplained noises, such as faint giggling, footsteps, or the sound of someone whispering just out of earshot. On rare occasions, a strange mist has been observed rising from the floor, adding an extra layer of eeriness to the experience. While these occurrences are rarely threatening, they are unsettling enough to make some patrons reluctant to visit the toilets alone, especially after dark.
The playful nature of the hauntings sets the Bow Bells apart from other haunted pubs in London. There is no record of a tragic death or unresolved crime associated with the building, and the ghost’s antics are more mischievous than malevolent. Some regulars have even come to view the Phantom Flusher as a kind of guardian spirit, one whose presence adds character and a sense of continuity to the pub. Staff members, while occasionally unnerved by the unexplained phenomena, have learned to coexist with the ghost, often joking about its antics with new employees and visitors.
Attempts to rid the pub of its supernatural resident have been unsuccessful. In addition to the 1974 séance, a local priest was invited to bless the premises in the hope of bringing peace to the restless spirit. However, the blessing had no discernible effect, and the hauntings continued as before. The current management has embraced the pub’s haunted reputation, regarding it as part of the Bow Bells’ unique charm and appeal.
The Bow Bells’ ghost has become a talking point in the local community and among paranormal enthusiasts. The pub is frequently included on ghost tours and lists of London’s most haunted locations, attracting visitors keen to experience the phenomenon for themselves. While not everyone who visits encounters the Phantom Flusher, the stories and the atmosphere of anticipation are enough to give even the most skeptical guest pause.
