The Ghosts of The Elms, Rottingdean

The Elms in Rottingdean, East Sussex, was home to Rudyard Kipling from 1897 to 1902. During his time there, he wrote some of his most famous works. The Georgian house has a reputation for ghostly activity that predates and continues after Kipling’s residency.

The House

The Elms is a substantial Georgian house in the village of Rottingdean, near Brighton. Kipling lived there with his family, writing “Kim” and many of the “Just So Stories” in its rooms. The house is now privately owned.

The Grey Lady

A female figure in grey has been seen in the house for generations. She predates Kipling’s time there and may be connected to earlier inhabitants. Her identity is unknown, but she appears most often on the staircase and in the upper rooms.

The Victorian Gentleman

A figure dressed in Victorian clothing has been seen in what was Kipling’s study. Whether this is Kipling himself or an earlier resident is debated. The figure appears to be reading or writing, oblivious to observers.

The Kipling Connection

Kipling was interested in the supernatural, and his stories often touched on mysterious themes. He left Rottingdean partly because of harassment by tourists and the death of his daughter, Josephine. His emotional connection to the house was strong.

The Garden

The garden at The Elms has been the site of unusual experiences. Visitors have reported feeling watched, hearing voices, and seeing figures among the plants. The garden was important to Kipling, who wrote there during good weather.

Assessment

The Elms represents a location where significant literary work was produced under emotional circumstances. Kipling’s creative energy, combined with the house’s longer history, may account for its continuing reputation for supernatural activity.