Many references over the past two hundred years can be found concerning the haunting of the Haunch of Venison. Visitors often comment on feeling strangely cold in certain parts of the building and staff regularly are frustrated when items are moved or hidden, only to reappear a few weeks later.

It is thought that there are two wandering spirits: the Grey Lady, who is searching for her child; and the Demented Whist Player who is tormented by the loss of his hand, severed in a card game due to cheating. In the House of Lords is a mummified hand discovered in the 19th Century, which may have belonged to the ghost. In March 2004 it was stolen feared never to be returned but reappeaed in mysterious circumstances 6 weeks later.

Antony and Victoria Leroy have been licensees at the Haunch of Venison since 1981 and are probably the longest serving licensees in Salisbury.