Ghosts, tourists, and more than 800 years of history - the Duke of Wellington is a pub quite unlike any other.

The Grade II listed building was built circa 1220 by Benedict Ace, one of the earliest known mayors of Southampton, and to this day contains the original cellar.

Fast forward a few centuries and in the the past three years, the atmospheric pub in Bugle Street has been owned by Rusty and Rob Petlee.

“There’s nothing else like it,” said Rusty.

“I think we knew what we were getting when we originally moved in but there’s so much history with the pub and the road itself.

“Every day I wake up and I can see tourists outside the window wanting to have their picture taken – if we had 50p for every person that’s had their picture taken outside the pub, we’d never have to open.”

With the premises having its own bar, restaurant, and function room, the pub has its share of regulars and live music enthusiasts, as well as those who attend for parties, weddings, and a mix of cruise passengers wanting to sample Southampton’s ‘old town.’

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Duke of Wellington (Image: Matt Davey) Showcasing more than 800 years of history, the pub walls could tell its fair share of tales, with it said that three ghosts roam the building.

“We called one of them Bill,” said Rusty – who has become well acquainted with his paranormal customers.

“Bill sits over in the corner of the restaurant. One day the lamp kept turning itself on and off, but it wasn’t plugged in.

“Another time we had a medium in as a guest and she said that she could see a young girl walking up and down the stairs.

“Then when we initially moved in, I’d be doing my paperwork in the cellar and there would be a faint ringing sound as if someone was tapping a bell.

“I didn’t like it at first but then I realised if I played Harry Styles’ greatest hits it would stop, so it must be a Harry Styles fan.”

With live music every Friday night and cruise passengers routinely sampling the pub’s signature fish and chips or roast dinners, the Duke of Wellington continues to be a hub in Southampton’s economy.