The Three Tuns Inn in Bungay is under new management

The Three Tuns Inn in Bungay is believed to be one of the most haunted pubs in Suffolk.

The pub dates back to 1540 and is said to be the home to more than 20 ghosts who haunt the building. 

And now, as manager Sharon Erskine takes a step back, Jadene Baker and Danielle Taylor will be taking over the running of the historic pub. 

Ms Erskine has been working at the pub since the age of 17, often running the medieval banquets held at the Tuns in the past.

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Michael Linfield, second right, operations manager at the Three Tuns at Bungay, with licensee, Sharon Erskine, front, and bar tenders, Luke Dix, and Olivia Stanton in 2020. (Image: Denise Bradley) READ MORE: Hopes raised for Bungay Falcon Meadow bathing status

Paul Squire Trevitt, the landlord of the Three Tuns for the last 15 years, said: "Jadene and Danielle are confident and hard-working people. 

"I have every confidence in them to put the Three Tuns back on the map where it belongs."

Ms Baker, who has been working on and off for the pub for nearly a decade, is excited for her new role. 

She said: "We are going to get it back to how it used to be with new ales and new events".

"Generations of my family have always been involved in the pub.

"We are bringing it more forward in its time."

The interior of the Three Tuns Inn (Image: Jamie Honeywood) READ MORE: Snow starting to fall in Suffolk as cold snap continues

The Three Tuns has not been offering food, but this is something the new managers are looking to bring back in the summer. 

Ms Taylor also expressed her excitement and said: "I love this pub.

"It has so much character and a family environment." 

The pub will be open Thursday 3pm to closing time, and Friday to Sunday it will be open 12pm to closing time. 

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HISTORY OF THE HAUNTED PUB

The pub can be dated back to 1540 but was destroyed by a fire in 1688, resulting in it being rebuilt.

It was a former coaching inn, with grand assembly rooms and banqueting hall, and was once the meeting place for Suffolk gentry in the 18th century.

It was a place where Norfolk's Parson Woodforde stayed in 1788, and it is said Charles Dickens and highwayman Dick Turpin have rested their heads there for the night.

The ghost of highwayman Tom Hardy is said to frequent the bar.

He used the Tuns as his headquarters and is was believed to have been an associate of legendary highwayman Dick Turpin, who visited Bungay in 1739.

Richard O'Sullivan as Dick Turpin in the 1979-1982 TV series (Image: Dick Turpin TV series)Paul Squire Trevitt, landlord of The Three Tuns Inn (Image: Jamie Honeywood)The cellar of the pub, now a venue, is part of Bungay Castle's gatehouse built by Hugh Bigod in the 12th century, Mr Trevitt said. 

In 1969, a former landlord called in a well-known clergyman to exorcise the spirits in the building.

But, Mr Trevitt and customers still experience paranormal activities to this day.

In an interview five years ago, he said: "I quite like having them around, especially when you catch the scent of sweet, aromatic pipe tobacco in the air and it feels as if you're part of the history of the building, part of an old story."