Waxworks resident ghost won't be homeless

By David Newble

When Brading’s famous wax museum shut its doors for the final time — one spooky exhibit was still promised a permanent home.

The skeletal remains of Frenchman Louis de Rochefort, who was murdered by Puritans at the former Crown Inn site, are set to remain in-situ, in his glass-topped coffin, whoever occupies the building.

And they had better not be scared of the dark, as people say Louis’s ghost is regularly seen in one of the upstairs bedrooms.

There are also rumours Louis’s dying screams and the sound of a coach rattling along the street outside can still be heard at night.

Last week, the County Press reported how the attraction, renamed Brading the Experience, had closed, with its collection set to be broken up and sold off.

Val Monger, of Daniel Street, Ryde, contacted the paper, anxious to find out what would happen to Louis’s remains, which was her favourite exhibit when she was a child.

The skeleton was unearthed by workmen in the 1960s, when they were putting in a water main.

They were found to be the remains of Loius de Rochefort, who was assassinated while trying to get a message to Charles I, when he was imprisoned at Carisbrooke Castle.

Efforts to track down Louis’s relatives failed, with nobody claiming the bones and he is set to remain interred on the IW.

Robert Ball, director of Brading Trading, the operating company for Brading the Experience, said he remained sceptical the skeleton was actually that of Louis.

He said: "There is a skull there but I would not suggest the skull is original. There is a little bit of artistic licence going on there."


Acknowledgements Isle of Wight County Press. Reporter davidm@iwcpmail.co.uk.

The Brading Experience

Originally a Wax Works, Brading the Experience is now, as its name suggests a whole experience to be enjoyed and marvelled at.

As well as Animal World the site now boasts World of Wheels, a themed café, a gift shop and a discount themed store.

Enter and make your way around Great British Legends, the Old Rectory Mansion and the Chamber of Horrors.

Brading itself, on the main road between Ryde and Sandown, centres upon a very quaint hill street with several small independent shops, tea houses and public houses.

The Experience itself (Sat Nav PO36 0DQ) is reasonably priced, with special arrangements for school parties. It can be accessed by bus or train (ten minutes' walk). There is also a free car park just a few yards away.