Headland House
Middlegate House – A Place for Investigation
Built circa 1749, Middlegate House stands within one of the oldest and most historic areas of the Headland. Once thought, through church records, to date from 1860, later examination of original documentation confirmed this to be incorrect, firmly establishing the house as an 18th-century dwelling with far deeper roots than first believed.
History
Homes of this era were closely tied to the everyday lives of seafarers, tradespeople, and families whose routines were shaped by the nearby port and church. Over nearly three centuries, Middlegate House has witnessed generations come and go, moments of hardship and celebration, and the quiet passing of lives now long forgotten.
Past
For investigators, this depth of history provides a compelling environment. The building’s age, combined with its long-term domestic use and proximity to key historical landmarks, creates conditions often associated with reported activity. Sounds, movement, and unexplained experiences have been noted within the house, echoing the layers of occupation and change held within its walls.
Present
Today, Middlegate House offers a unique opportunity to explore a location where documented history and personal experience intersect. Whether investigating from a historical, environmental, or paranormal perspective, the house invites those who enter to question what may still remain from its past—and what stories are yet to be uncovered..
GRIT Paranormal Investigation Report
Location: Middlegate House
Investigating Team: G.R.I.T Paranormal
Investigation Type: Active Investigation
Reported & Observed Activity
Throughout the investigation, a range of activity was experienced by team members:
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EMF Activity:
EMF meters registered multiple spikes in various areas of the house, most notably during questioning sessions. On several occasions, EMF fluctuations appeared to occur in direct response to questions being asked, with increases noted when requests for interaction were made. -
Intelligent Responses:
During controlled communication attempts, responses were observed in the form of EMF activations, audible knocks, and bangs. Some of these noises appeared to correlate with direct yes/no questions, suggesting potential intelligent interaction rather than environmental causes. -
Audible Phenomena:
Distinct footsteps were heard on multiple occasions, particularly on upper floors when no one was present in those areas. The sounds were described as deliberate and measured rather than random creaks or building movement. -
Child-Related Experiences:
Several team members reported sensing the presence of children, with occasional sounds such as light footsteps, movement, and faint vocalisations. These experiences were consistent across different areas of the house and were not isolated to a single individual. -
Temperature Variations:
Noticeable warm and cold spots were encountered throughout the investigation. These temperature changes were sudden, localised, and in some cases appeared to move or follow individuals as they walked through the property. -
Knocks and Banging Sounds:
Repeated knocking and banging noises were heard from within walls, floors, and adjoining rooms. Some of these sounds occurred in direct response to questions, including requests for one knock for “yes” and two for “no.”
Conclusion
The investigation at Middlegate House presented a wide range of unexplained activity experienced by multiple team members, both individually and collectively. The combination of intelligent responses, environmental changes, audible phenomena, and consistent sensory experiences suggests ongoing activity within the property.
While no single piece of evidence can be considered conclusive on its own, the volume, consistency, and responsiveness of the reported events indicate that Middlegate House remains an active location worthy of continued investigation.
Report compiled by:
G.R.I.T Paranormal Investigation Team
Josie, Former resident.
My bedroom was the first room on the right as you come down the three stairs toward the front of the house on the first floor. My door sat almost directly next to the stairwell that leads up to the second floor, so I could hear everything that went on above me.
I was always told that a sea captain once lodged on the second floor. He was known as Captain Gunn, though I’ve since learned his name doesn’t seem to appear in any census records. Still, the story was well known. He was said to have had a wooden leg, which wasn’t unusual for seafaring men at the time, especially with the risks of injury and illnesses like scurvy.
Late at night, when the house was quiet, I would hear him moving around upstairs. The sound was unmistakable — a steady knocking as he walked across the floorboards, as though wood was striking the floor with every step. It wasn’t random creaking or settling; it had a rhythm to it.
Lying there in bed, with my door so close to the stairs, it often felt as though he was still there, pacing above me, long after everyone else had gone to sleep.
What is now the upstairs kitchen was once Michael’s bedroom. It was here that Michael reportedly woke one night to see the figure of a Nun, kneeling in the corner to the left of the chimney breast, appearing to be in prayer.
According to Josie, Michael fled the room in terror, running past the bathroom and the next room—which was then his parents’ bedroom—before heading down the few steps and climbing into bed with her. At that moment, the familiar sound of the Captain’s footsteps could be heard moving through the house again. Hearing this, Michael left Josie’s room and ran instead to his parents’ bedroom.
Nothing was ever reported to have happened in that room, and it quickly became the only place Michael felt safe enough to sleep. From that point on, his parents surrendered their bedroom, which became Michael’s permanent room, while they relocated elsewhere in the house.
Caretaker of the House
I have had four personal experiences at Middlegate, occurring at different stages of the property’s restoration.
My first experience was when I spent the night alone in the house on Friday the 13th of October 2023, before any renovation work had begun. With power only to the first floor, I stayed in the front bedroom. Later that night, as I looked down the corridor toward the rear of the house, I was overwhelmed by a strong sense of foreboding and chose not to go downstairs.
Around three months later, after the building had been stripped back, I felt a cold presence press against my left arm while standing in the front bedroom. When I moved away, the sensation followed me, returning moments later.
The third experience occurred approximately 18 months later. After several mediums had carried out initial investigations and left, I remained alone in the property. While singing in the downstairs kitchen, the cold presence returned, disappearing when I stopped and reappearing when I continued. As I moved throughout the house, the sensation stayed with me, calm and constant, never threatening—almost companionable.
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My last experience was one I did not enjoy... with multiple mediums in the property. While standing on the half landing, something very physically stroked the back of my head. A pain shot from the base of my throat to my diaphragm... and then I became absolutely consumed with what can only be described as an immense grief. A feeling so intense that Ive never felt anything like it before or since. My heart sank, my emotions bottomed out and I was milliseconds away from bursting into tears. A feeling I had to try and hold inside until I left the property. Ill never be able to fully explain that feeling. It was the utter most utter depth of despair that I could have ever imagined... and it took until I was around half way home before I started feeling normal again.