Kinnitty Castle, County Offal

http://www.kinnittycastle.com/

Description:
Former ancient castle, now 37-room luxury hotel Era: " The first Castle at Kinnitty was destroyed in 1209 and was later rebuilt by the Normans in 1213.

History:
After rebuilding the castle, the Normans were driven out by the powerful Gaelic clan, the O'Carrolls of Ely.

1630, William O'Carroll built a new Castle in close proximity to the old Abbey. This was confiscated in 1641 by the English forces as part of the plantation of Offaly, or "Kings County" as it was renamed.

In 1922, as with many stately homes in Ireland, the Castle was burned down by the Republican forces.

The Castle was rebuilt in 1928 and the Bernard family lived there until 1946 when it was sold to Lord Decies who in turn sold the Castle to The State in 1951.

The State retained ownership until it was purchased by the Ryan family in 1994 and has since been transformed.

Ghost ratings:
In the Banquet Hall there is a huge presence of a spirit of a monk, very tall and is always dressed in black. He is apparently a kind spirit, who delights in some of the more joyous events that are held at the castle, and is especially fond of Con Ryan, the castle's current owner.

The Geraldine Bedroom is where many people have told of feeling the presence of a spirit of a child, who is often heard whimpering.

Spooky experiences:
The Monk who resides in the Great Hall is apparently able to predict and foresee the future and he passes his messages through members of staff. Everything that he predicts allegedly comes true.

He is also rumoured to haunt the dungeon bar of the hotel.

Outside Con Ryan's cottage lies an array of Celtic stones.

When paranormal groups investigated these stones, a number of orbs were detected on camera around them.

Black Swan Hotel, Devizes, Wiltshire

Description:
Former pub, now a hotel. The current building was built in 1732. According to John Girven (local historian) the cellars date back to the 1600's when a previous pub known as the Nags Head stood on this site.

History:
It was owned by a notorious horse dealer and suspected highwayman, Ambrose Saintsbury.

In 1732, the building was re-built and renamed the Sergeant's Head. The proprieter at that time was Francis Paradise, a former sergeant of the mace to the towns Mayor

In 1789, the building was leased to Walter Flay, and in the same year, was struck by lightening, causing severe damage to the stables

The cellars have five chambers which lead off from a central passage; however the rear of the cellar has been bricked up, blocking access to what is believed some extra 100 feet or so of underground tunnel, which runs under the establishment's yard

In 1999, John Girven removed a brick from this area while investigating the suspected tunnel. This act allegedly marked the start of the severe haunting of the cellar area.

Ghost ratings:
There is a story of a highwayman who was reputed to keep his horses stabled in such a tunnel along with a change of clothing. The story states that the man led a double life as a highwayman as well as respectable man about town. During a recent investigation, a man in a three cornered hat was seen in the basement.

Many guests who have stayed in Room 4 have reported the apparition of a young woman who sits in a chair and looks out of the window towards the Market Place. She is described as an attractive female figure with long blonde hair and dressed in a flowing white gown which drapes to the floor.

Spooky experiences:
It has been reported that the young woman sits in the chair for a short time, before rising to her feet and gliding across the room past the bed and disappearing in to the wall. She is believed to have died during childbirth in this room.

The conference room is said to have a lot of poltergeist activity in it. Some ghosthunters who have visited the hotel previously have tried trigger object experiments, where an item was placed on paper. They were surprised to find that it had moved.

Castle Leslie

http://www.castleleslie.com

Description:
Private castle now owned by descendants of the original Leslie clan. The castle was bought in 1655 by the Bishop of Clogher John Leslie but was added to and rebuilt in 1878.

History:
The Leslies can trace their ancestry back to Atilla The Hun. The first Leslie came from Scotland and was a Hungarian nobleman called Bartholomew Leslie who was the chamberlain and protector of Margaret Queen Of Scotland.

The Leslie family motto is "Grip Fast" which originated from when fleeing enemies Queen Margaret rode pillion on the back of Bartholomew's horse. When fording a river the queen fell off, Bartholomew through her the end of his belt and told her to grip fast the buckle. He saved the Queen's life and from that day forward she bestowed this motto to them.

The first Leslie to come to Ireland was Bishop John Leslie who was Bishop of the Isles of Scotland, in the early 1600s.

The castle's ownership was passed on down through many of the Leslie clan including John Leslie's son John Jr, the Dean of Dromore, Charles Powell Leslie I in 1743, and his son and grandson Charles Powell Leslie II and III through until 1871. Another John Leslie (later to become Sir John Leslie 1st Baronet of Glaslough) was a fine painter of the Pre-Raphelite school and inherited the castle at that time and ran it until his death in 1944.

The castle is now owned by Samantha Leslie, daughter of Desmond, one of the few surviving war-time Spitfire pilots.

Ghost ratings:
In the Banquet Hall there is a huge presence of a spirit of a monk, very tall and is always dressed in black. He is apparently a kind spirit, who delights in some of the more joyous events that are held at the castle, and is especially fond of Con Ryan, the castle's current owner.

The Geraldine Bedroom is where many people have told of feeling the presence of a spirit of a child, who is often heard whimpering.

Spooky experiences:
The Red Room is supposedly haunted by Norman Leslie who was killed in action in 1914 and whose mother, Lady Marjorie, awoke here one night to find his ghost standing by the chest of drawers, surrounded by a 'cloud of light'. Norman's spirit was leafing through some letters and seemed to be seeking one in particular. Sitting up, she asked him 'Why Norman - what are you doing here?' whereupon he turned to her, smiled and faded away.

The Basement was the location for a more recent haunting. An employee at the Castle was in the basement when she was apparently approached by a scary grey man - who eventually disappeared.

The apparition of a noble named Lady Constance is supposed to haunt the Mauve Bedroom. A story exists of a lady of the castle named Leonie who, on her death bed, was visited by an elderly woman who spoke to her and then left.

The sleepy nurse caring for her assumed it was one of the family members and said nothing. After the funeral, the family and the nurse were sitting in the Dining Room when nurse proclaimed that the elderly visitor looked exactly like the portrait on the wall - of Lady Constance, who had died in 1925.

Kasteel Doorwerth

Description:
Ancient castle located on the border of the Rhine. It was a centre of power, government, and administration of justice. In 1260 there was a wooden fortress on the site, which was destroyed by a warlord of the bishop of Utrecht. But 20 years later it had been rebuilt in stone, and was again besieged and plundered.

History:
In the early 15th century the North Wing was added, together with battlements and defence towers. During the latter half of the century, the big tower and parts of the South Wing were built.

During the 16th century there was another floor added to the East wing, the South Wing was extended, and the round tower with winding stairs connected all the floors of the extended castle. By around 1640 the castle reached its present shape.

Through its long history it was repeatedly besieged, burnt down, restored and left uninhabited for long periods of time. The most severe destruction happened during and after the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. Almost 75 percent of the castle was destroyed and again renovation works started and were completed in 1983.

The castle was refurbished in 17th century style, and was officially opened as a museum by Queen Juliana in 1986.

Ghost ratings:
Among the ghosts that are said to exist on the castle ground are:

*the figure of what could possibly a father who cast off his daughter, and locked her up in one of the dungeons

*the misty apparition of one of the castellans, who killed his friend because he wanted his wife for his own

*the unhappy ghost of a servant, who stole silver and who apparently died of starvation

*the ghost of a witch-like woman, in a carriage pulled by headless horses

Spooky experiences:
A British paranormal psychologist who carried out his own investigation at the castle said he spotted two vapour-like mists

One woman claimed that while she was looking at a picture in the castle, she suddenly felt cold and very scared.

A former employee of the museum always felt unpleasant while working alone in the castle. He was convinced of hearing footsteps, although no-one else was present.

Kasteel Ammersoyen

Description:
In 1350 Dirk van Herlaer ordered Castle Ammersoyen to be built along a branch of the river Maas. Contrary to other medieval castles, Castle Ammersoyen was built according to a fixed plan. Four wings were erected around an inner-court with four heavy towers at the corners.

History:
In 1386 the van Herlaer family lost Castle Ammersoyen to the duke of Gelderland who captured the strategically situated castle.

The Duke gave the castle to his illegitimate son, who sold it to Johan van Broekhuyzen, Lord of Waardenburg, in 1424. In the next four hundred years Ammersoyen only passed into other hands by inheritance.

In 1496 Walrave van Broekhuyzen married Otto Van Arkel, member of a well-known family. Under the succeeding five generations of this family Castle Ammersoyen was given its final structure.

In 1574 the Spanish followed. Most damage however was done by a fire in 1590.

Because of a shortage of money the Arkel family was not able to restore the heavily damaged castle until the 17th Century. At that time the necessity to rebuild a medieval defensive structure no longer existed. The castle's outline remained, but the living quarters were made more convenient: smaller and lower rooms were built, windows enlarged, new chimneys and stairs were added. The medieval flights of stairs between the walls were bricked up. The castle's interior greatly changed: the hall of knights was divided and a wide staircase was added to lead to the upper floor.

In 1672 the French came to Holland and burnt down many castles. Thomas Van Arkel paid them 7000 guilders to save Ammersoyen, so the castle survived but Van Arkel remained heavenly in debt and unable to finish his redecoration plans for Ammersoyen. At his death in 1693 the last member of the Van Arkel family died and the castle was inherited by another family.

The poor Clares moved into the castle in 1876 and founded their second convent in the Netherlands.This ended a period of more than five hundred years of private ownership and the castle now became inaccesible to the outer world.

In 1957 the Gelderland Castle Trust bought the decrepit castle, started an extensive restoration two years later and completed the work successfully in 1975. During which the old wall staircases appeared behind the plaster as well as chimneys, wall-cupboards, window-openings and loopholes. Thus the castle was given back its medieval character without many difficulties.

On February 20th 1976 HRH Prince Claus opened the restored castle and many people have visited it since.

Ghost ratings:
One ghost, dubbed "The Lady in Bleu" has been experienced by several people. One of the sons of the manager of the castle, couldn't stay in one of the rooms without feeling sick. He blamed it on the ghost, and the manager and family tried to have the ghost removed from the premise, ever since.

Two Argentina Ladies once felt the presence of a young couple, supposedly buried under one of the castle's bridges.

There has been talk of the ghost of a vicar of Hedel (a small town next to Ammerzoden), making his presence felt within the walls of the castle. He died within Kasteel Ammersoyen.

Spooky experiences:
Castle staff often feel uncomfortable in one of the tower rooms in the top floor of the Castle. One has had the feeling that there is something "wrong", she can't really explain it, but it's as if somebody is with her, when in fact she is all alone.

A former employee of the museum always felt unpleasant while working alone in the castle. He was convinced of hearing footsteps, although no-one else was present.

Old Hall Hotel, Sandbach

http://www.theoldhallhotel.com

The Old Hall Hotel Sandbach, is a near perfect example of genuine Elizabethan architecture, built from original wattle & daub, and was probably one of the last genuine black and white buildings to be completed in England.

The earliest date given to the building is 1656, which is probably when the descendents of Sir John Radcliffe erect the building. The building occupies the site of an ancient mansion of the sandbaches, who were once lords of the manor.

Much of the original structure is preserved today including: the Jacobean paneled dining room and lounge, original Jacobean fireplaces, a priest hole & an underground passage leading to St Mary's Church.

The Ghosts
Many Ghost haunt the Old Hall:

Room 11
Room 11 is our most haunted bedroom. It is haunted by several ghosts.

The old Lady

A 90 year old lady sits in the chair by the bed. The lady died of a heart attack over 200 years ago in the room and now can't understand why people come into her room. People sense a presence in the room and objects move in the night.

The Fire

A number of guests have jumped out of the bed at 3 am, they report they felt that the bed was on fire and that they just had to get out of the room. This haunting is believed to date back to the mansion which stood on the site before the current building which burnt down. This blind fear may be the result of a soul who died in the fire perhaps while only half awake.

The Prostitutes

The spirits of two young girls who died at the age of 12-13 and believed to be prostitutes brought into the hotel for the gentlemen's pleasure at the time that the building was a coaching inn in the 19th century are seen throughout the hotel including room 11. These spirits are somewhat mischievous they are heard in the bedroom and also in the kitchen and restaurant in the early hours were they can be heard giggling, opening doors and in one case terrifying the chef who then left by arranging his knives in the kitchen.

The Bar & Lounge
The Bar and Lounge as shown on our web cam are haunted by a number of spirits including:

The Grey Lady

Some of the paneling for the hotel was taken from nearby Haslington Hall. When it was removed, the skeleton of a baby was found behind the paneling. Since the paneling was moved, a grey lady has been seen in this area of the hotel. It is believed that she has is looking for her baby, as she wanders around the hotel as if searching for something

The Priest Hole

Behind the Jacobean Fireplace in the lounge is a priest hole. If you look carefully, you can see the hidden door to the right of the fire place and above the fire to peep hole to allow air in and to allow the priest to look out. While the priests often did escape the soldiers who searched for them, they often did not escape the fire and burnt to death in the priest hole. No specific ghost is attributed to the fireplace but many orbs and presences are felt and seen in this area.

Sir John Radcliffe

Sir John was the original owner of the old hall, staff report seeing a tall man who appears directly in front of them. He also clicks door latches repeatedly and makes hanging pint pots swivel on their hooks in the bar. Sir John likes to give the staff a bit of a scare by moving things suddenly.

The Bee Keeper

The Bee Keeper is one of our more famous ghost as she is regularly seen. The lady, dressed as a bee keeper walks from the front door to the stairs. She is believed to be very old and un effected by our presence.

The Cellar
In the cellar is a tunnel that leads under the main road to St Mary's Church opposite, emerging behind the alter. The tunnel is believed to have been used by priests and was also used to smuggle girls into the hotel. Another tunnel leads from the church to a house on front street and a further tunnel is alleged to exist linking the old hall with the house on front street but it has not been found. The tunnel is believed by psychics to create a passage for spirits from the church to pass into the hotel. A man with a gauntlet for a bird of prey was seen sitting in the cellar by a visiting psychic and the web designer who built this web site saw peculiar blue lights in the pictures he took of the cellar.

The Attic
The attic was once the servants quarters and those that venture into the attic sense them. The spirits that dwell in the attic seem to come from both houses, both the existing building and the mansion that burnt down before and so many of these spirits are believed to be those who died in the fire.

The Chough Hotel

Description:
Hotel named after a famous Crow-type of Cornish bird. No one knows exactly when the hostelry was built but it's believed to date back to the mid-1600s, as there is a fireplace which bears the date of 1644.

History:
A disastrous fire swept through the area in 1578 but the building survived. In 1685 when Somerset was traumatised by the Rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth, King James II responded quickly and a battle was fought nearby. The rebels were defeated and slaughtered, Monmouth was captured, tried and beheaded despite his pleas for mercy.

Monmouth supporters were then hunted through the West Country by Judge Jeffreys and Colonel Percy Kirke who carried out executions of anyone suspected of complicity. Kirke hanged people without trials, while Jeffreys managed to hold trials before hanging the rebels on the tree called 'Hanging Cross'. He once stayed at the hotel, and was responsible for the deaths of more than 300. He is a hated figure in Somerset.

Ghost ratings:
A pub regular once claimed that he'd seen the ghost of nasty old man crouched by the fireplace. This is widely believed to be Jeffreys.

A "shadowy" figure has been spotted in the corridor

Spooky experiences:
Built into the wall by the fireplace is a gravestone. No one ever manages to take a 35mm flash photograph of it.

In the 1890s a sealed room was discovered and opened up. Today it forms part of the bar but the area is considered very haunted.

Coughing noises have been inexplicably heard here, and glasses have flown off the bar but not broken.

Ordsall Hall

Description:
This once moated Hall dates back 820 years. The name Ordsall appears in print in 1177 as 'Ordeshala'. There was probably a house at Ordsall by 1251 when William de Ferrers, Earl of Derby, exchanged the manor for land in Pendleton.

History:
- The Radclyffe family have been connected with the hall for over 300 years.
- 1335 - The manor passed into the hands of the Radclyffe family, first twenty years of their ownership were very confused because there were several claimants
- 1354 - Sir John Radclyffe established his right to inherit the estate on his return from the French wars
- Some members of the family sat in Parliament as Knights of the Shire and Sir Alexander was High Sheriff of Lancashire on 4 occasions.
Most were knighted for services in battle and took part in court life: for instance, Margaret Radclyffe became a favourite Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth
- 1599 Death of Margaret Radclyffe (semi state funeral) reputedly died of a broken heart after being jilted at the altar. Grief stricken, she apparently climbed the stairs of the Great Hall and threw herself off.
- The Radclyffes were Royalists and Catholics and according to local legend, (in 1605) Guy Fawkes hatched his plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament while staying at the hall. Such has this legend gained credibility that the street directly adjacent to the hall has been named 'Guy Fawkes Street'. This story, however, has neither been proved or disproved.
- In 1875 the hall was let to Haworth's Mill for use as a Working Men's Club
- In 1959 it was sold to Salford Corp. by executors of Baron Egerton and underwent major restoration work
- In 1972 opened to the public as a period house and local history museum

Ghost ratings:
- In the Great Hall, there has often been seen the apparition of a white lady on the raised staging. This could possibly the ghost of heartbroken Margaret Radclyffe.
- Locals have seen this White Lady in the grounds at the front of the Hall.
- A monk has also been see here, and the figure of another lady have also been spotted here.

Spooky experiences:
- There is the occasional smell of roses and lavender in the Great Hall, even when no-one is around.
- Dragging sounds have been heard coming from area under the stairs of the Entrance Hall.
- In the Agecroft Gallery, Footsteps have been heard and one night the security camera (activated by movement sensors) kept pointing at the area where portraits of the ladies are.
- In the temporary exhibition area visitors have heard the sound of a door being opened and closed.
- In the attic, people have reported feeling uneasy and unwell - the feeling then passes quickly.
- Dragging sounds are occasionally heard in what used to be the Oak Pannelled room.

 

Salmesbury Hall

Description:
Ancient hall at one time used as an inn and school, now preserved by local trustees. The original building was constructed in 1325.

History:
- The first Hall was built by the D'Ewyas family on the bank of the River Ribble but this was destroyed by Robert The Bruce, following the battle of Bannockburn. - By 1325, the Great Hall of the present building was built by Gilbert de Southworth, husband of Alice D'Ewyas.
- The West Wing of the house, the oriel bay and the screen were all later added by Thomas de Southworth (Gilbert's great grandson).
- Alas, the family fell into debt and Edward Southworth was forced to sell the Hall to Thomas Braddyll in March 1678.
- Braddyll never lived there but removed all he could to enhance his own home at Conishead Priory, Ulverston.
- Braddyll let the Hall to several families of hand loom weavers. As result, the hall became more and more dilapidated.
- Between 1830-1846 Braddyll ran the Hall as an inn called the Bradyll Arms.
- In 1850 the hall was leased and became a school for girls until 1862 when a man called Joseph Harrison bought it and carried out much renovation and restoration. Unfortunately he was a lavish entertainer and spent beyond his means. He shot and killed himself in 1878.
- A local JP lived there until 1909.
- 1924 an appeal was launched and group of trustees were formed to rescue and preserve the Hall

Ghost ratings:
- Samlesbury is yet another venue whose Great Hall also seems to possess the spirit of a "White Lady". This apparition has been seen by several people and could be related to the story of Dorothy Southworth (who resided in the Hall in the 17th century).
- Dorothy apparently fell in love with the son of a neighbouring Protestant family. But Southworths were strict Catholics so the relationship was forbidden although the couple decided to elope. Apparently on the evening that they intended to carry out their plan, they met, along with two friends, in the grounds of the Hall. Dorothy's brother was lying in wait and stabbed her lover and his two accomplices to death. The bodies were secretly buried near the chapel. Horrified and grief stricken, Dorothy was sent abroad to a convent, where it is said she went mad and died.
- In the Priest Room, many visitors have expressed unease and fear at being here. Rumour has it that a priest was found in the Hall and killed in this room. Upon hearing this story the servants refused to clean the floor saying that the blood stain would keep appearing even after it had been cleaned, so former owner Joseph Harrison was forced to take up the old floor, burn it and fit a new floor.

Spooky experiences:
- Voices have been heard by many, in the Great Hall.
- Footsteps and coughing noises have been heard in the Long Gallery.
- There is a tree in the grounds where, legend has it, the friends and lover of Dorothy Southworth were brutally murdered. Some say the ghostly emanations centre around this. In the last century, when the turnpike road was being built, three human skeletons were discovered in a shallow grave by the wall.

Oldham Coliseum Theatre

http://www.coliseum.org.uk/

The history of the Coliseum is as rich as any other theatre, its past shrouded in mystery, speculation and bad business deals.

In 1885 a Mr Myers contracted local carpenter Thomas Whittaker to build a permanent home for his Grand American Circus in Henshaw Street. A court case soon followed when Mr Myers admitted he was unable to settle the bill. Whittaker found himself owner of the new theatre and without having had any experience at all, decided to embark on a career in show business. In 1887 the town council announced they were planning to build a new market hall on the site of the theatre and so Whittaker had the theatre moved to Fairbottom Street on the site of an old colliery. The opening production was Culvers Circus.

In February 1903 Whittaker sold the theatre to Joseph Ball who ran it on behalf of Peter Yates, the owner of Yates Wine Lodges. In 1911 the Colosseum (as it was then called) began showing silent films in between live acts. In 1918 the theatre was bought by Dobie´s Electric Theatres.

In March 1931 the theatre closed and reopened as a cinema but it only survived until March 1932 when the recession caused complete closure. In 1936 a group was formed to campaign for live theatre in Oldham called The Oldham Playgoers Club. In January 1938 The Oldham Repertory Theatre Club opened at the former Temperance Hall in Horsedge Street with its production of Shaw´s Arms and the Man. The club was for members only thus avoiding the need to be licensed. Here they provided weekly rep until 1939. Such was their success that they signed the lease on the now derelict Colosseum, they renamed it The Coliseum and in July 1939 they staged their first production in their new home

The Oldham Coliseum was the scene of a tragic accident involving the play that raises the hackles of superstition in many actors: Macbeth.

In January 1947, Harold Norman was an actor playing the role of Macbeth, it is said that he did not care for the usual superstitions observed by actors in 'The Scottish Play' referring top the play as Macbeth and rehearsing his lines outloud. During a sword fight scene Harold was accidentally stabbed with a real sword. The wound became infected and he died in Oldham Royal infirmary on the 27th February of peritonitis caused by the sword wound.

This unfortunate death was bound to have an effect of peoples minds, the tragic event, the nature of the play, and Harold's lack of superstition. Inevitably Harold was thought to have returned to the theatre in spirit form, and he is said to have been seen several times. His apparition appears most often on Thursdays, as this was the day that he was mortally wounded.

Pleasley Vale Mills

Pleasley Vale Mills renowned for their haunting atmosphere,surrounded by ancient woodland and steeped in history, local legends and folklore were formally the thriving Coates Viyella factory.

It was William Hollins and four other established businessmen who decided that Pleasley Vale was a good place for a cotton mill. The textile industry was not yet established but the partnership knew that the industry was about to grow. The Vale was rich in resources, stone, timber, water and the river had already been dammed. There was a water wheel in place which was used to drive the bellows and steam hammer. Pleasley Vale had its own micro climate with constant humidity which was required to spin the cotton.

The grounds were excavated by the eighteenth century archaeologist Hayman Rooke in 1786 and Roman coins were found at Stuffyn Wood Farm which belonged to the Pleasley estate. In 1962 during the development of a garage to the rear of Pleasley house, a cave was exposed and inside was the bones of woolly rhinoceros and mammoth and other evidence of a prehistoric tribe. There has also been evidence of a Viking settlement in nearby Mansfield.

Many people who once worked at the Mills have attended the Rupert Mole tours and through their experiences they recounted, Rupert Mole have pieced together a profile of the fair but firm working conditions that were present under William Hollins’ employment. He built a Village store, school, mechanics institute, a reform church and a bath house for the employees of the Cotton Mills.

75 years ago, William Hollins the third sold Viyella to Coates to form Coates-Viyella. 25 years ago Mansfield District Council acquired the old railway track which now forms the Meden Trail.

Coates Viyella closed in 1987 and the mills fell into decline. The District of Bolsover (Council) declared the vale a conservation area. The Mills are now owned by the Bolsover District Council and are the home of many thriving businesses.

There is a rich and strong vein of history at Pleasley Vale Mills, but there is much more to discover. The tours explore in depth the amazing history of this area. Attending one of these at Pleasley Vale Mills will certainly provide a factual, entertaining and enlightening experience

Bodelwyddan Castle

http://www.bodelwyddan-castle.co.uk

The history of the house and estate extends to before 1460 though the association with the Williams family dates from around 1690. The Castle as seen today is a creation of Sir John Hay Williams dating from between 1830 and 1852. Architects Hansom and Welch were employed by Sir John to refurbish and extend the house while further works at this time also resulted in a magnificent estate wall and formal garden.

The loss of the main income source for the estate - lead mining - in the 1850s resulted in the decline of the Williams family fortunes, though further building refurbishment took place in the 1880s. By the First World War, the estate had been reduced in size and the house used as a recuperation hospital.

The grounds to the east of the main house were also used by nearby Kinmel Camp as an area for trench warfare training. In 1920 the house and estate were finally sold by the Williams family to Lowther College, a girls private school. The College was based at the Castle until 1982 when it finally closed due to financial problems.

In the 1980s the Castle was purchased by the then Clwyd County Council and developed as a museum, gallery and visitor attraction.

Parts of the Castle date from the 15th century when it was a large manor house, although there was probably a house on the site long before this. There have been many ghostly happenings reported over the past few years. They include:

A lady in the Sculpture Gallery

A soldier in one of the galleries (Bodelwyddan Castle was used as an officers mess and a recuperation centre during the First World War)

Shadowy figures drifting down the corridors

A blue lady in the Terrace Tea Room

Unexplained noises and lights

Annesley Hall

Annesley is situated eight miles north-west of Nottingham, close to the Derbyshire border. Most of the area is more than 500 feet above sea level.

Annesley was spelled 'Aneslei' in the Domesday Book, which roughly means that a man named "An" lived in an area of cleared woodland. Recorded in the Domesday Book is also the name of the last Saxon lord of Annesley, Levinot, and the fact that the settlement was worth 40 shillings. William the Conqueror soon granted the manor of Annesley to a Norman lord named Ralph Fitz-Hubert (who also owned Kirkby-in-Ashfield). However, the Fitz-Hubert family connection with Annesley ended by 1154, when Robert Fitz-Hubert was besieged and captured at Devises Castle.

Ralph Britto de Annesley suceeded Richard, and founded Felly Priory in 1156. This was located about one and a half miles south west of the present site of Annesley Hall. Ralph Britto was the first in his family to use the surname of Annesley taken from his manor. He spelled in Annesleia or Anneslega, but later it became the familiar spelling of Annesley. Ralph died between 1156 and 1161 and was buried by the alter of Felly Priory Church.

The Annesleys of Annesley continued as Lords of the Manor until the 15th century. John Annesley Esq. and his wife Isobell had a daughter Alice, who was six years old when her father died leaving Alice the heiress. She married cir 1442 to George Chaworth, third son of Sir Thomas Chaworth, Knight of Wiverton.

The Chaworth's eventually made the manor of Annesley their home, and continued as Lords of the Manor until the beginning of the 19th century. One of the family, William Chaworth (born 1726) died after being wounded in a duel by Lord Byron in 1765. The Chaworth line continued until 1790, when George Chaworth Esq. died leaving his only child Mary Ann as heiress to the lands. They were conveyed to John Musters, the Squire of Colwick's son, on their marriage in 1805. The family took the name Chaworth-Musters and made Annesley their home.

John C. Musters took over the property in 1859, and made extensive changes to the land around the hall. Particularly, he took down the houses which mainly comprised Annesley village and turned the land into gardens for the Hall. This was probably about the time when new cottages were built on the Derby Road; nearer to where the new church would eventually be located.

The Hall finally passed out of the hands of the Chaworth-Musters family in 1973, when they sold the property to live at Felly Priory.

The Hall has since fallen into disrepair, and its current owners do not appear to have any interest in renovating the property.

The Ancient Ram Inn, Wooton-Under-Edge

The Ancient Ram Inn holds the distinction of being both an important historic building and reputedly the most haunted house in the UK.

The Ram dates back to the 11th century and claims the oldest window and ceiling of any house in the country. A working pub until the 1960's, the house is now falling into disrepair.

The history of the site also has a sinister twist, it is believed it was built on an ancient burial mound, on an important ley line and is reported to have been witness to human sacrifice.

Amongst its alleged hauntings, the Ram claims the presence of a succubus, an entity though to be sexual in nature. The renamed Witches Room and Bishops Room have been witness to various encounters. The owner reports violent paranormal phenomena in recent times.