Racton Ruin: Story of a strange tower in South Downs National Park, said to be one of the spookiest places in Sussex

Initially called Stansted Castle, Racton Ruin was completed in the 1770s and it stands in what was the Stansted Estate. The tower is a folly and it was originally built for the third Lord Halifax, who lived nearby in Stansted House.

Sometimes known as Racton Tower, it was intended to provide a visual statement in the landscape, easily seen from Stansted House and from the surrounding countryside.

The architectural feature, designed by Theodosius Keene, looked like a cross between a castle and a pagoda, with turrets at each of its three points and a small spire on top. Built of red brick, the walls were originally faced with flints but most have since disappeared.

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The lower floor was used as a banqueting hall and the tower allowed guests to take advantage of the spectacular views of the Solent and beyond from the upper floors.

The view was described in 1772 as 'from the leads of the upper storey the eye takes in an unbounded prospect over that part of Sussex which lies between the Downs and the coast to the east and south, and beyond the Isle of Wight to the westward, having a clear view of the British Channel in an uninterrupted line from point to point'.

The owner ordered that the building be demolished 'sometime after 1782' but this was carried out only partially, as subsequently the stonework, roof and floors were removed. The rest remained, however there was rapid deterioration to the turrets and walls.

There have been reports of paranormal activity at this isolated folly, including bricks being thrown from the top of the tower and a ghostly woman wandering the lanes. According to local legend, there is a ghost tractor in the fields that comes right up to you, then disappears.