Owlpen Manor

http://www.owlpen.com/

Description:
- Stone Manor house, church and mill in Gloucestershire

Era:
- Built in the 16th century as a private residence but the Deeds go back to 1210 and there was some sort of house on this land prior to the 1500s.

Bloody history:
- Owlpen Manor was the home to refugee children who had been removed from major UK cities during WWII.
- Queen Margaret of Anjou, wife of Henry VI stayed at Owlpen in 1471 and spent her last happy night before her defeat, exile and eventual widowhood.
- There are some reports of a ‘hooded figure' or ‘Black Monk' who is said to haunt Owlpen. Some say he is Bartholomew de Olpenne whose family owned the manor in the 1100s, and who was walled up and starved to death in the manor. His bones were found but apparently crumbled to dust when the space came to light.

Ghost ratings:
- A grey lady clad in a fur-trimmed gown, steeple hat and wimple, Queen Margaret is reported to haunt the house where she spent her last night.
- When some children visited and were greeted by an American woman the day after their arrival, they asked why she wasn't wearing the "lovely clothes" she had worn the night before. They described clothing from several centuries ago. Could they have been met by the ghost of a woman on their first night at Owlpen!
- One ghost is reportedly a mischievous child who is said to run up and down the back stairs, disturbing the sleep of the guests, and moving objects in the house.
- The ghost of a wizard and Alchemist who was lord of the manor in Georgian times apparently stalks the attic floor of the 1616 wing.

Spooky experiences:
- The face of the small child has been seen on a photograph taken when the house was empty.
- Visitors report strange and unexplained sights, sounds and even scents.

Hellfire Caves

http://www.hellfirecaves.co.uk/

Description:
The West Wycombe Caves are a series of caves excavated to provide unemployed farm workers with jobs, and chalk to build a main road between Wycombe and High Wycombe.

Era:
The caves were excavated between 1740 and 1750 by Sir Francis Dashwood.

Bloody history:
It is said that Sir Dashwood held meetings of the notorious "Hellfire Club" in the caves. Made up of prominent members of society, the club had an infamous reputation for orgies, debauchery and devil worship. One of claims is that there were 12 original "brothers" who elected an Abbott eacg tear. The privileged position was held by – among others – Sir Thomas Stapleton and Sir Francis Dashwood. The brothers were given pseudonyms to conceal their actual identities. However, there are differing reports about what actually went on down in the tunnels.

Ghost ratings:
Legend has it that a woman named Sukie, the chamber maid, had gone to meet her lover in the caves, dressed in a white dress but in a cruel practical jokes, she found a group of local lads there instead, and was stoned to death. Her ghost is said to haunt the caves.
The ghosts of other members of the Hellfire Club are rumoured to wander the dark halls.

Spooky experiences:
On one occasion, a girl who was visiting the caves, became separated from her group and carried down one of the tunnels but she became lost and very frightened. Suddenly, the temperature dropped and she felt as if someone was following her. When she turned, she could see a man, in old-fashioned clothing – who vanished as quickly as he showed up.
Many strange sounds and strange echoes have also been reported here.

Craig-y-Nos Castle

http://www.craigynoscastle.co.uk/

Description:
An early Victorian country house set in parkland, which was extensively built up in the late 1870s, adding north and south wings, a clock tower, conservatory, winter gardens and a theatre.

Era:
Constructed in 1840 by Captain Rice Davies Powell, the house was originally called Bryn Melin but purchased by famous opera singer Adelina Patti in 1878 and renamed for the Welsh of "Rock of the Night."

Bloody history:
After the death of Adelina, the castle was sold and became a sanitorium for patients with TB between 1920-1960.

Ghost ratings:
- Adelina is rumoured to haunt the hotel and the opera house, as is her first husband, the Marquis of Caux.
- The ghosts of patients from when the Castle was a hospital have been seen wandering around the building.
- A jazz drummer recently played at the Jazz bar within the castle, and was sitting among a small group of people by the fire. The drummer struck up a conversation with a lady who asked him if he sang. He replied ‘No' and she said that she believed he great potential as a singer. He left the conversation, came back but the lady had gone. When he asked where the lady in grey had gone, the other people sitting with the drummer replied that there had been no-one there.

Spooky Experiences:
- Playing the song "Home Sweet Home" is said to bring the spirit of Patti forward.
- A photo was taken recently of a wedding, and when it was developed appears to have the eerie image of a ghost on it.
During WWII, two young nurses said that they heard a voice singing her scales in the corridors outside their room. They got scared and slept in a different room that night, It was said that Adelina used to practice her scales every day until the day she died.
-A lady pianist once claimed that she was performing one night in the theatre when she felt a strange presence about her, at which point she began playing a piece that was unknown to her, perfectly.
-Many bangs, creaks, slamming doors and other noises have been heard throughout the castle.

Jamaica Inn

http://www.jamaicainn.co.uk/

Description:
A legendary coaching house located on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall.

Era:
This building was erected in 1750 to give shelter to travellers as they passed over the wind-swept moors.

Bloody history:
The inn and its shadowy past were both immortalised in Daphne du Mauriers novel, "Jamaica Inn" published in 1936. Its isolated location made it a popular stop for smugglers and today, the Jamaica Inn is also home to a Smugglers' Museum, which comprises many artefacts from these unsavoury characters.

Ghost ratings:
Reports of a strange man dressed in a tricorne hat and cloak, apparently appears in the DuMaurier restaurant and then seems to walk through solid doors.

Many people have spotted the figure of a man sitting motionless on the wall outside of the Inn. The ghost is not recognisable, but there is a story about a stranger who many years ago stood at the bar enjoying his pint. He was apparently summoned outside by someone and that was the last time he was seen alive. His body was found on the moor the next day but the manner of his death and the identity of the assailant is a mystery. Some people claim to hear strange footsteps which they claim to be the ghost of this man, returned for his pint!

Spooky experiences:
On a moonlit night, horse's hooves and the metal rims of wheels can be heard on the cobblestones…even when there's no one there.

Some have heard a foreign tongue being spoken, when there's nobody about. Could this be the old Cornish language?
Lights go on and off in the generator room, and staff who go in there say that they have the feeling of being watched

Croxteth Hall

http://www.croxteth.co.uk/home.htm

Description:
The main building is surrounded by a working farm, a Victorian walled garden and country park.

Era:
Built in 1575. The last works on the hall were completed in 1902.

Bloody history:
Home of the Earls of Sefton for over 400 years, Croxteth Hall has had a relatively quiet past. The last of the Seftons died in 1972 and left no heirs.

Ghost ratings:
The ghost of a boy has been seen in the Dining room by the fireplace. A figure dressed in a period costume has been spotted by staff and the public in both Lady Sefton's sitting room and in the corridor.

The Shadow of a figure has been spotted in the billiard room
It is reported that the 6th Countess of Sefton claimed that she saw the ghost of her dead husband in the principle bedroom
The 6th Earl of Sefton's ghost has also been spotted striding through the tearoom.

Spooky Experiences:
Footsteps have been heard in the attic, and in the Sefton corridor, where taps have been inexplicably turned on in full, cupboard doors and main doors have banged shut and voices have also been heard here.

Shadows and figures have been seen regularly in the principal corridor. Giggling has been heard in Bedroom O and the Molyneux corridor, and figures have also been seen here.
Constant electrical faults (which, when the electricians appear to fix them, seem to disappear) in the Housekeepers' corridor.
An attendant once felt a force pushing her off the chair she was standing on to clean.

The scent of very strong tobacco has been detected in the Servants' hall – even though nobody has been smoking.
Inexplicably, items have disappeared, oil lamps have fallen over and smashed for no particular reason, and film crews have all been spooked on the Croxteth Hall grounds.

The Manor House, County Durham

Description:
Originally a farmers' dwelling, it is now a hotel and country club.

Era:
The Manor House was built between the 15th and 16th centuries.

Bloody history:
The Manor House has had a quiet history. It passed from owner to owner throughout the years, and may even have been a convent or court house for the local area. In 1914, the local vicar, Reverend Lomax, converted the Manor to an orphanage.

Ghost ratings:
Room six is haunted by a young boy, who can be heard crying and looking for this mother. The owner's young son claims to speak to this spirit, and says the ghost boy is about five years. And upstairs it has been reported that the ghost of a lady – nicknamed Betty by the hotel staff – wanders around looking for her young son!

A large man has been seen in Room Seven.

Spooky experiences:
When the hotel owners held a spooky night, a medium claimed that a murder had been committed room 8 – where a presence of a man has often been felt.

Many people claim to have experienced random cold spots throughout the property.

The ghosts of more than one child have been spotted by the owner's son throughout the house.

Some visitors reported having felt strange feelings of being followed, or watched.

On more than one occasion, the smell of tobacco smoke has filtered through room 4 at 3am…although no-one was smoking at the time.

Staff claim they've seen objects float across the room.

Mary Kings Close, Edinburgh

http://www.realmarykingsclose.com

Description:
- A number of underground closes, with houses that stretch up to seven stories high, on either side of the narrow walkways.

Era:
- The Closes were built in early 17th century, but there are records of tenements on the land as early as 1526.

Bloody history:
- Plague hit the Close in 1645.
- Fire ravaged the area in 1750.
- In WWII, the Close buildings were used as air raid shelters.

Ghost ratings:
- The ghost of Mary King reportedly haunts the area.
- The apparition of little girl, her face covered in pustules from the plague, has been seen in the Close's Shrine Room
- The vision of a grim, grey-haired old man has also been seen on numerous occasions.
- Dismembered body parts have been reported floating above the ground, including a child's head and a severed arm.

Spooky experiences:
- 17 and 18 Market Street have experienced the most alleged paranormal activity.
- Strange noises have been reported up and down the Close.
- Unexplained cold spots have occurred in many rooms.
- Many wraith-like beings have been seen.

Wellington Hotel, Cornwall

Description:
- Genuine C-listed 16th Century coaching inn. Originally called Bos Castle Hotel but it was renamed the Scotts Wellington in 1852, after the late Duke of Wellington.

Era:
- Parts of the hotel date back 300 years. It was extended in 1860.

Bloody history:
- A number of prominent people have stayed at the hotel, including Edward VII, novelist Thomas Hardy and Sir Henry Irving, the first actor to be knighted. However, the hotel's history has been a fairly quiet one.

Ghost ratings:
- A frock-coated figure with a ruffled shirt, ponytail and leather gaiters (much like a coachman or stableman) has been seen moving across the landing
- The apparition of a young girl, seen outside rooms 15, 16 and 17 on the landings, has been spotted on several occasions passing through windows and doors.
- A little old lady has been reported passing through the closed door of room 9.

Spooky experiences:
- A ghostwriter, staying at the hotel, reported his small dog pursuing some sort of "animal friendly" apparition. The writer didn't see the figure, but his wife saw it, as did the dog, who followed it, wagging its tail!

Chatham Dockyards

Description:
Naval dockyard

Era:
Although Queen Elizabeth I visited the area in 1573, the docks weren't moved to the current location until 1622, and the first dry dock was built in the 1660s.

Bloody history:
Dutch Fleet successfully attacks the Chatham Docks, with many killed and wounded.

In 1864, the docks were staffed by French prisoners of war.

Ghost ratings:
The most well-known of the Chatham Dockyard ghosts – although it is reportedly haunted by several – is the apparition of a young teenage girl whose image has been seen often in a downstairs window. It is believed that she is waiting for her sailor lover to return from the sea.

The ghost of Lord Nelson has apparently been spotted here, although no-one seems to know why.

There may also be two other apparitions - one of a woman and the other of a not-very-nice man - who haunt the space which used to be a nursery.

There is also the ghost of a female supervisor who died in the 1980s who apparently haunts here to prod workers who aren't pulling their weight.

Spooky experiences:
Footsteps have been heard in the darkest corners of the yard.
Doors have slammed of their own accord.
People have claimed to have seen the a headless drummer boy or duelling cavaliers!

 

Guild Hall

Description:
- Timber-framed hall used as meeting hall, courtroom, parlour, library, museum and now a performance venue. It escaped calls for its demolition in the early 1900s.

Era:
- The Great Hall was built around 1390 as a meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi.

Bloody history:
- Between 1876 and the early 1900s, the hall was used as a local police headquarters, which saw many unsavoury characters go through its doors.
- In 1864, the docks were staffed by French prisoners of war.

Ghost ratings:
- The White Lady is rarely seen but apparently moves furniture around the Library.
- Some reckon it's not a White Lady, but the ghost of a monk dressed in grey, which may be explained by the fact that there used to be the Old Grey Friars Monastery, located only 300 yards from Guildhall, and some monks did live at the Guildhall for a time.
- A Cavalier type character has also been seen in the Great Hall
- Both a phantom dog and a black cat ghost have been been seen in the Courtyard and in the Great Hall, respectively.
- The apparition of a police officer has also been spotted.

Spooky experiences:
- Staff often close the bile that sits on the main table of the library to find in the morning that the White Lady/Monk have opened it up to the same page each time.
- Burglar alarms have been triggered by an unseen presence.
- Heavy footsteps have been heard in the Constable's cottage, and in the roof area, which is where the Constables once slept when the Hall was used as a police HQ.
- Orbs have been seen in the Great Hall.
Some claim that they've seen legs grow from the portrait of Henry Earl of Huntington, which hangs in the Major's Parlour.

 

Greengate Brewery

Description:
The Brewery, Middleton

Era:
Cottages turned brewery, it is thought that the original brewery buildings date back to the 17th century, but the Deeds don't shed any further light. They do, however, relate to a "Greengate House" being on the site in 1791. The buildings were bought from William Hilton, on the death of his father Thomas Hilton, who was a weaver. A manufacturer named John Lee bought the row of cottages in 1828 to set himself up as a brewer. About 175 years on, JW Lees & Co. is still going strong!

Bloody history:
- A number of workmen who died during the sinking of the brewery well in the 19th Century.
- In the 1930's, brewery supervisor went missing for days, he was eventually found curled up dead at the bottom of the well. This is separate from the death of the workmen who were building it.

Ghost ratings:
- A lady has been spotted sitting at the JW Lees Boardroom table, facing away from the table.
- A woman in a long, brown dress has been glimpsed coming through the staff kitchen door.
- A clerk at the brewery says she saw a hovering brown cloaked figure, tall and slim, moving towards her between filing shelves. Before it got to the end of the shelving it moved away to her left, though the solid shelving and out of sight.
- A figure in a white cloak has been spotted in the brew house.

Spooky Experiences:
- While walking past the same boardroom, a night watchman once claimed that he was hit across the face by something or someone never seen. He was so scared he waited outside the building until more staff arrived at 6am.
- One staff member claims that while she was sitting eating her lunch, she felt as if someone had come through the door, walk up behind her and then stand next to her. When she turned around, there was no-one there. Several others have made claims to experiencing similar.
- In the tank room, there have been several stories of a spanner flying across the room, and a kettle moving.

Events

Medium Derek Achora picked up several spirits all over the brewery and upon hearing this, the team split up to investigate different areas. Later on with strange tapings on barrels and the crew already spooked the extraordinary happened, whilst investigating the attic a cupboard started to rock back and forth whilst a crew member in the barrel room found a barrel rolling towards him from the apparently empty barrel run area of the cellar.

Manor House Restaurant, West Bromwich

Description:
Manor House and restaurant. Listed in the Domesday Book under the possessions of William Fitz Ansculf (The Baron of Dudley), the Manor House has had many residents. Although the timber beams were dated using modern technology as having been cut down in 1275, in 1173 the lord of the manor was William Fitz Wido de Offini who founded Sandwell priory in 1180. In more recent years the priory has been excavated and a life size stone effigy of him was found there. It is believed that he is, along with others from the manor house, buried at the priory.

Era:
The Manor was built in 1230, and restored between 1957 and 1965.

Bloody history:
Not much bloody history for the stately Manor House – but we'll see if the Most Haunted team dig up anything different!

In 1713 the house was bought by Sir Samuel Clarke, and finally sold up in 1823 to the Earl of Dartmouth, James Smith. It was then that the building began to fall into a state of disrepair. On his death in 1829 it was passed on to his trustees and by 1836 was converted into flat-lets where three families lived until the 1880s. These conversions completely converged and concealed the Manor House until it was discovered while under demolition in the 1950s.

Saved and restored most of the original manor house was still intact. The moat was filled in at around 1700 and most likely used as a rubbish dump but during the halls restoration it was dug out using clever detective work to make sure it was situated exactly where it was originally. It was excavated by volunteers and some of the artefacts found (clay pipes, leather and pottery, ) are displayed at the Wednesbury Art Gallery. Some of the finds however, are kept at the manor house in the museum area and can be viewed by appointment.

Ghost ratings:
· A man with a black beard has been seen forlornly looking out of the windows
· A person wearing a black cape has been seen making an appearance at weddings that have been held in the building.
· A grey haired little old woman has also been spotted.

Spooky experiences:
· During a paranormal society's investigation of the premises the lights went out and the chapel and the restaurant were thrown into complete darkness.
· In the ladies toilets, reports have been received from children saying that they have seen black pointed shoes peeping out from under a toilet cubicle.
· The manageress reports hearing her name being called twice one Saturday morning when she was on her own in the building.
Footsteps and strange voices have also been heard.