18/10/2026
👻 Shadow Hunters UK
Paranormal Investigation Report
Gibraltar gardens, Norwich
Some locations hold more than just memories within their walls. They hold stories, unanswered questions, and perhaps echoes of those who once walked through their doors. Our investigation at the Gibraltar Garden Public House in Norwich certainly gave us plenty to reflect upon, with historical connections, personal communications, and an extraordinary moment that brought the evening to a memorable close.
A Warm Welcome and Setting Our Intentions
Firstly, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Jade and Dave for allowing us to hire the Gibraltar Garden for our paranormal investigation, and to the rest of the team for their wonderful hospitality throughout the evening. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to explore this fascinating location and investigate its history.
As tradition dictates, we began by welcoming our guests, outlining the particulars of the evening, and explaining what everyone could expect from the investigation.
Before beginning our exploration, we took a moment to set our intentions and ask for spiritual protection, ensuring that we approached the evening with respect, open minds, and a shared sense of purpose.
Our first activity was a human pendulum session, during which Cathy was selected to act as our communication vessel. What followed introduced us to two intriguing characters, each with a story that appeared to connect them to the history of the pub and its surroundings.
A Life Lost by the River
During the human pendulum session, communication appeared to develop with a male spirit who spoke of losing his life in the river.
According to the responses received, his death had been accidental. He conveyed that he had not intended to die and described himself as a boat worker who would moor up near the inn.
His responses painted a poignant picture of a man whose life had been connected to the river and the working activity that once surrounded it. Was this a memory of a tragic accident, or could there be a historical story waiting to be uncovered?
As always, we cannot independently verify the identity or circumstances described during spirit communication, but the account certainly gave us something to consider as we continued our investigation.
Elizabeth — A Former Landlady Returns?
Our next communication introduced us to a woman who identified herself as Elizabeth, claiming to have been a landlady at the pub during the 1910s.
Naturally, this was something we wanted to investigate further.
Following a quick historical search, we found a record for Elizabeth Kathleen Leggett, who held the position of landlady in 1916. The name and date provided a fascinating historical lead that we were keen to explore.
We asked whether the staff were familiar with her, and the responses indicated that she was aware of them.
Elizabeth also appeared to describe herself as someone who moves things around the pub when she feels that things have been left untidy!
Could this be a playful reference to a former landlady’s sense of order and pride in her establishment? Whether coincidence or something more intriguing, it was a wonderful connection to investigate further.
With our first session complete, we divided into two groups to explore different areas of the building and try a variety of communication techniques.
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Sam’s Group — Stories from Beyond the Bar
The Spirit Board: Herbert’s Story
Sam’s group headed towards the back of the bar, where we began a spirit board session.
During this activity, communication appeared to develop with a gentleman who identified himself as Herbert. He indicated that he had used the pub during the 1600s.
The suggestion of a connection reaching back several centuries certainly caught our attention. Could Herbert have been recalling a much earlier period in the building’s history, or was the name connected to another story entirely?
As with all information received during these sessions, further historical research would be needed before any conclusions could be drawn.
During the session, another spirit who appeared to identify as a former member of staff briefly communicated with the group. Their message was particularly touching, as they seemed to come through simply to wish Mar goodbye as Mar was preparing to leave the circle.
Sometimes it is the briefest moments that leave the most lasting impressions.
The Estes Method — A Mention of Fire
Amelie was keen to try the Estes method, a technique in which a participant wears headphones connected to a spirit communication device and relays the words they hear without knowing the questions being asked by the other investigators.
The questions and answers appeared to align briefly during the session, creating moments of interest for the group. During this communication, Amelie also mentioned a fire.
This was a detail that immediately gave us something to think about. Could it relate to an event in the building’s past, or was it simply an isolated word without a historical connection? Further investigation may help us understand whether there is any significance behind it.
The Infinity Deck — Messages and Individual Experiences
We then moved on to the Infinity Deck, allowing different members of the group to participate and experience the method for themselves.
The session brought a variety of responses and personal experiences.
Cathy received a personal message that she felt connected with a loved one, making this a particularly meaningful moment for her.
Sophie appeared to engage in a conversation with a male spirit who conveyed a strong affection for the pub. His responses suggested that the establishment held a special place in his story.
Sarah was given the instruction not to ask a question, while Lorna received a response suggesting that she should stop after drawing just one card. These unusual exchanges added another layer of intrigue to the session.
Sam also tried the Infinity Deck for the first time. During the activity, she could hear Darren’s group answering the questions she was asking through their Estes method.
This unexpected overlap between the two groups prompted us to come together in the front function area, where the evening took another fascinating turn.
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A Boy Called Ryan — A Wartime Story
When Sam’s group joined Darren’s team in the front function area, we began communicating with a young boy who gave his name as Ryan, although Brian was also a possibility.
The information received suggested that he was approximately twelve years old and had died during the Second World War after a house on or near Derby Street was destroyed.
The account also referred to his brother, Jack, who was reportedly injured in the same incident and died a little later.
Perhaps the most poignant part of this communication was the suggestion that the two boys were still searching for their mother, whom they identified as Lily.
The image of two young brothers searching for their mother after a devastating wartime event was an emotional one. Their story, as communicated during the session, raised questions about whether there may have been a real family affected by wartime destruction in the local area.
We cannot confirm the identities or events described through the session, and we would need to consult historical records before connecting the account to any particular family or incident. Nevertheless, the details gave us a compelling avenue for further research.
Could Ryan or Brian, Jack, and Lily be names preserved in a forgotten local story? It is certainly something we would love to investigate further.
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The Final Experiment — Total Darkness
As the evening drew towards its conclusion, we decided to finish with a final experiment.
We switched off the lights completely and spread out around the location, giving ourselves the opportunity to call out and listen for any possible responses without the usual distractions.
The atmosphere changed as the darkness settled around us. Throughout the session, we experienced a few clicks and reports of cold sensations.
While these experiences were difficult to explain at the time, we remained attentive to our surroundings, listening carefully and allowing space for anything that might occur.
Finally, Sam called out one last time, asking for any spirit present to give us a sign.
What happened next became one of the most memorable moments of the entire investigation.
The Cat’s Wail
Four independent people reported hearing a very clear cat-like wail coming from the direction of the men’s bathroom area.
The sound was distinctive enough to catch the attention of all four individuals, leaving us with a final mystery to consider as the investigation came to an end.
Was there a living animal nearby? Could the sound have travelled from another part of the building or outside? Or was there something else responsible for what the witnesses heard?
Without a recording or further evidence to establish its source, we cannot say for certain. However, having four people independently report the same distinctive sound made it a particularly noteworthy moment to conclude the evening.
It was certainly an experience that left us with questions rather than easy answers.
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Final Thoughts — An Investigation Full of Possibilities
Our investigation at the Gibraltar Garden Public House was filled with intriguing communications, historical leads, personal moments, and unexplained experiences.
From the account of a boat worker who reportedly lost his life in the river, to the possible connection with former landlady Elizabeth Kathleen Leggett, the evening offered several avenues for further historical research.
The accounts involving Herbert, the mention of fire during the Estes method, and the poignant wartime story of Ryan or Brian, his brother Jack, and their mother Lily have also given us plenty to investigate beyond the night itself.
And, of course, the final cat-like wail heard by four independent witnesses provided a memorable ending to an already fascinating investigation.
At Shadow Hunters UK, we believe that every investigation is an opportunity to ask questions, explore history, compare experiences, and consider the evidence carefully. We never take every unexplained moment as proof of paranormal activity, but we do believe that the experiences shared by our guests and team deserve to be recorded and explored.
We would once again like to thank Jade, Dave, and the entire Gibraltar Garden team for their kindness and hospitality, and a huge thank you to everyone who joined us and made the evening so special.
There is certainly more to uncover, more history to research, and plenty for us to think about following this investigation.
The Gibraltar Garden has left us with questions we are eager to revisit.
👻 Shadow Hunters UK will be returning in 2027!
Until then, keep your minds open, your equipment ready, and remember…
Not every shadow has an explanation, and not every story has been forgotten.
Shadow Hunters UK — Exploring the unexplained, one investigation at a time.
