Wycoller Hall and Village - Lancashire

A video of our re-visit 2019

Name: Remains of Wycoller Hall
Locality: Trawden, Lancashire BB8 8SY
Built: 1596
Owner:
Grade II*
Website:

Wycoller is a famous Hamlet outside Colne in Lancashire only 3 miles North of Howarth; Charlotte Bronte took her walks here. Wycoller Hall was thought to be 'Ferndean Manor' in Charlotte Bronte's 'Jane Ayre' novel. The hall is said to be haunted by a spectral horseman that comes out only when there is a full moon also the ghost of a black woman wanders the grounds. Pearson House joined on to the tea-room has the ghost of the blue lady who walks through walls. Wycoller House has a poltergeist.

We visited Wycoller Hall on a very pleasant summers day. The ruins looked very romantic surrounded by wild flowers. Not at all creepy on a sunny Saturday. Too many children running among its stone-work. Definitely a spooky hot spot for wannabee ghost hunters. We shall certainly be paying the alleged  a visit one moonlit night soon.

Wikipedia 

 

Woodchester Mansion

Illustration by Jules

If you can only imagine that romantic Gothic horror film you see on the big screen or TV, where folks stumble upon a haunted house in the forest with bats flying around with a full moon. Well this is the place!!

Photo by Jules

Name: The mansion
Locality: Woodchester, Gloucestershire GL10 3TS
Built: 1854
Owner: Conservation charities, Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales.
Grade I

The Mansions website : here

History: The mansion was built in the French Gothic revival style. It was designed by the famous architect Benjamin Bucknall, for William Leigh, using local Cotswold limestone. The work on the house took many years and in 1870, after 16 years work, the workers downed tools many of the 79 rooms unfinished.

Photo - Paranormal Places UK

The mansion then fell into a state of disrepair and dereliction, with Victorian tools scattered across the site. Visitors can still see the Victorian tools in addition to half-carved gargoyles, doors leading nowhere and abruptly ending corridors.

Photo and illustration by Jules - Paranormal Places UK

Ghostly manifestations: Headless horse, floating coffin, hooded figure, spirit of a french man, tall man has been seen outside, invisible children have been heard playing.

Ghostly anomalies: Strange banging, voices, poltergeist activity, visitors have been prodded and pushed, blue lights, someone crying.

Photo - Paranormal Places UK

After a long day searching for allegedly haunted places in the area, we came across a sign for Woodchester. I persuaded my better half to drive down the muck drive to the house. It was a long walk down and it was very hot. We spent about 20 minutes walking and ended up in some woodland, I thought to myself, the mansion must be around here somewhere, we had taken a wrong turning and got slightly lost. Then I noticed this Cotswold stone looming through the thick bushes, we had found Woodchester Mansion.  We walked back on ourselves, it was worth the walk, the mansion is your typical haunted house straight out of a Gothic horror novel.

Featured on TV Programmes

Most Haunted Live

Ghost Hunters International

The Scariest Places On Earth

Great British Ghosts

Bats in the belfry

 Greater Horseshoe bats and lesser horseshoes.

Video cover of TV series Great British Ghosts

featuring Woodchester Mansion 

Illustrations by Jules

Wingfield Manor Estate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Illustration by Jules

Name: Wingfield Manor

Locality: South Wingfield, Derbyshire, DE55 7NH

Built: 1439-53

Owner: English Heritage

Grade I

Website: EH

I visited Wingfield Manor a few years ago, that was the time when you could wander around alone, this is where I purchased English Heritages book that is beautifully illustrated by the famous infrared photographer Sir Simon Marsden ' This Spectred Isle. Now you can only go in on a pre-booked tour. 

There is a pond on the walk up and my good friend Toby spotted a guy slumped over his fishing rod at the pond there, but we were sure if he wasn't asleep that he was dead; we dared one another to have a look, fortunately he wasn't dead it was a dummy! It was highly amusing at the time. 

People have reported that they have felt like they are being followed by a spectral presence.

Source: Paranormal database 

Mary's Lights

Location: Wingfield - Wingfield Manor

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: The spirit of Mary' Queen of Scots is reported to have taken a liking to the ballroom, while it is in debate whether the spheres of light seen floating around the site after dark are part of the same entity.

Richard Felix and Jules

Paranormal historian Richard Felix rates Wingfield manor as one of the top 10 most haunted places in Derbyshire. "The ruins of Wingfield Manor are said to be haunted by many ghosts, but most famously Mary Queen of Scots, who was imprisoned there in 1569, 1584 and 1585. Legend has it the hall is also haunted by Anthony Babington, the man responsible for her death".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingfield_Manor

Time travel around Britain - Wingfield Manor

Spofforth Castle, North Yorkshire - castle, manor house,

Name: Spofforth Castle ruins
Locality: 2 Castle Close, Spofforth, North Yorkshire HG3 1AP
Built: 13th century
Owner: English Heritage
GradeI II*
Website: EH

I've been to Spofforth Castle quite a few times, it is allegedly haunted by the blue lady, people say she took her own life by throwing herself from the tower. Now, I have frozen my whatnots off here waiting for this shade to turn up; I even stood out in the cold until 2am on Christmas Eve!

Its a cute place, set in the small hamlet of Spofforth 'Spoff' as we used to refer to it. We usually stay in the undercroft, it's really sheltered from the elements and there is a staircase that goes to nowhere, which comes in very handy on cold nights, the stones hold in quite a bit of warmth from the day. 

There is even a cute little window ledge for putting you flask, sandwiches and maltezers on :D 

I didn't hold much hope of been witness to anything paranormal at the castle, it almost always appeared 'dead'. Months were spent going back-and-fro and nothing! Not a sausage. Then one night, it happened! I was stood in an enclosed bit of of the undercroft and I saw for just a few seconds an electric blue circular light reflecting back off a side-wall. I tried to rationalize it, but couldn't find a good explanation for it. 

No one else saw it to corroborate if for me. Unfortunate this could be suggestion on my part as I know the story, but I saw it plain and simple. I was really pleased, maybe this is what people have been seeing? I can't say for sure that there isn't something atmospheric going on, its a damp old place, why blue? I am not sure it's anything paranormal, don't know for sure. I don't suffer from cyanopsia. It's got this sceptic thinking.

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A blue figure has been seen at the top of this tower, before plummeting to the ground below.

Hermitage Castle, Scotland (2)

Illustration by Jules

This is my second visit to Hermitage Castle, here is my first visit (here)

Name: Hermitage Castle

Locality: Saughtree, The Scottish Borders TD9 0LU

Built: 1240 - 14th century

Owner: Historic Scotland

Grade A

Website: Historic Scotland

Location: Hermitage Castle
Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Every seven years, last heard 1885 (exact date unknown) (reoccurring)

Further Comments: Murdered by peasants who had grown tired of his wicked ways, William now returns to rendezvous with a wizard deep under the castle ruins.

It is said a phantom Mary Queen of Scots haunts the building, though there is no evidence she ever visited. Another entity is also reported here - starved to death in the dungeon, the ghost of Sir Alex Ramsey now walks the castle grounds. Some believe there is hidden treasure under the ruins of the castle, but the Devil watches over it - when people have tried to dig for the hoard in the past, violent storms have driven them away.

(Paranormal Database)

Read more about this castle on 'Mysterious Britain and Ireland' entry here

Video of me walking around the interior, with the drips of water and the birds,

it almost sounds like someone is whispering behind my back.

If the gates to Hermitage Castle were unlocked at night, you would certainly find me wandering around this ominous pile alone..OK maybe that would be foolhardy and stupid. This is a bleak place even in daylight hours. The castle has a somber feel about it, I really can't put my finger on it, its certainly is eerie even for the more hardened investigator and it's practically in the middle of nowhere. The nearest village of Newcastleton (where we stayed) is about 6 miles away.

The Boiling of Bad Lord Soulis

On a circle of stone they placed the pot,

On a circle of stones but barely nine,

They heated it up red and fiery hot,

Till the burnished brass did glimmer and shine.

They rolled him up in a sheet of lead,

A sheet of lead for a funeral pall,

They plunged him in the cauldron red.

and melted him lead bones and all.

Source 

Read more:  Hermitage Castle by Daniel Parkinson at Mysterious Britain and Ireland. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermitage_Castle

Simon Marsden Photography - Hermitage Castle

http://www.67notout.com/2015/08/bad-lord-soulis-was-boiled-in-cauldron.html

A SKEPTICS FIRST GHOST SIGHTING - Fountain's Abbey, North Yorkshire

FOUNTAINS ABBEY, NORTH YORKSHIRE

Taken Feb 2016

Allegedly... a ghostly choir has been heard chanting in the Chapel of Nine Altars but there are more ghostly happenings in nearby Fountains Hall.  The hall built by Sir Stephen Proctor is said to be haunted by the blue ghost of his daughter who witnessed his evil doings and remains at the hall for eternity. An Elizabethan man has also been seen emerging from the panelling in the stone hall.

Photography - copyright Paranormal Places UK

Name: Fountain's Abbey
Locality: Fountain's Lane, Ripon HG4 3
Built: 10th century
Governing body: National Trust
Grade I
Website: NT
Wikipedia

Fountain's Abbey was full of surprises one Sunday afternoon. We were visiting with no intention of seeing a ghost. But I did actually see something that day, just a normal day out with hubby and the dog. It was a glorious sunny summers day, we went to Fountain's Abbey in North Yorkshire England, the place was packed, folks having picnics on the grass and stuff.

This building is where I saw my first ghost? But I am a rational skeptic? I saw it. 

We decided to go in an old barn that had been converted into mini history museum (today it is a cafe) about how the Cistercian monks lived and worked, no one else was in the building except me, my better half was waiting for me outside with the dog. Ghosts and haunted was the last thing on my mind that day, it was blistering hot and my thoughts were more on ice cream.

The old barn

Inside this tiny barn I was in all on my own; I walked around reading the bits on the history of the place, when... I saw for a split second but long enough to gain a description of him a man .. crouched over working on something, he was wearing what looked like a leather waistcoat, it was really weird.

I am rationally minded, did I see a ghost? I saw a guy in a waist coat for a split second, no idea how I managed to see something that wasn't there. 

Just like what I saw for an instant, but more from the front.

Fountains Abbey

The cloisters

TUTBURY CASTLE STAFFORDSHIRE

The day I met, Mary Queen of Scots ;) 

Lesley Smith curator at Tutbury castle holds an Honorary Degree for ‘Services to History’ and has authority on the subject. She has also appeared on many TV programmes including Most Haunted. 

A morning at Tutbury Castle.

We traveled down to Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire on the 14th May 08 which was only a short drive as we were staying in Dovedale in Derbyshire for a few days. It was a glorious morning. As we walked up the long driveway to the castle I spotted Leslie Smith who is an authority on history  the curator in the distance. My other half and the Spizzy continued to walk around the grounds whilst I took a few shots of the castle while I waited to get Leslie's attention, she saw me with the camera and waved me over to her.

We had a chat about the castle and my last experience in the King's chamber, I told her that I nearly fainted in there whilst she was doing a talk (I have never fainted in my life) I took a deep breath as I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of a lot of people. Leslie wasn't surprised as it had happened to many in there, although I could have just had low blood sugar or something who knows! Apparently there is a vortex where the spirits come through and I was stood right in it, well, I am not sure if that is just silly.

We chatted about her myspace blog, she remembered me from which was amusing as she grabbed my hands and said, 'I know you! You're Jules, spelt J.U.L.E.S hehe well I never!.. then she spotted my better half and the dog and she continued to pat him on the head (the dog not my hubby lol) then she asked if I watched Most Haunted and how she was really excited working on the show and to watch series 11 because a chair moved that was next to her.

Then she did a couple of poses for me in-front of the ruined castle, one I missed of her looking menacing because my sodding flash card was full, well at least I remembered the card, I don't always. I told her that I wouldn't keep her as she was a busy lady but she told me it didn't matter which was nice of her.

She then said to go take a look round the castle and that she would open up the Kings bedroom for me, but I didn't go in, I was too scared! what a wuss!!

I continued to take photos around the castle and was amused to find a man hanging in the undercroft.

I didn't spot the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots and I didn't bump into John of Gaunt who likes to jump out at people, nor the little boy who sits on the stairs in the Kings chamber.

The last nightly visit to the castle will stay in my mind for a long time to come.

On a previous visit I had felt sparks of energy as Leslie walked past me, apparently this was a common occurrence,  but I put it down to static electricity from her dress, but I've read that other people have experienced the same thing too. A friend  photographed something white on camera, I do have a photo of it but image doesn't belong to me so I wont be adding it to the site. Some say it is a vortex, but it looked to me like the camera strap, who knows!

Tutbury is one of my favourite haunted places.

Leslie naturally posed for me, she seemed used to the attention.

About Leslie Smith - here

Alleged spirits.

Ghost: The keeper

Name of ghost: John of Gaunt
Area of haunt: The gateway to the castle
Incidence: It shouted, 'Get thee hence' to some unsuspecting visitors that thought he said 'Get over the fence'
Type of manifestation: Solid apparition

Ghost: Mary Queen of Scots
Area of haunt: standing at the top of the South Tower all dressed in white,
Seen stood looking out of the window of the great hall all in black.
Seen rapidly crossing the grass.
Type of manifestation: Solid apparition

Ghost: The white Lady
Area of haunt: Around the north tower.
Type of manifestation: Misty figure

Ghost: Child
Name of Ghost: Ellie
Area of haunt: The Kings bedroom
Type of manifestation: Invisible/tactile

Ghost: Small boy child
Area of haunt: Great Hall
Type of manifestation: Solid apparition

Official Website 

SUTTON SCARSDALE HALL, DERBYSHIRE

Name: Sutton Scarsdale Hall

Locality: Palterton Lane, Sutton cum Duckmanton, Derbyshire S44 5UR

Built: 1724

Owner: English Heritage

Grade I

Website: EH

History: Sutton Scarsdale Hall is North of Derby, you can reach it via the M1 motorway, where you will see it opposite Bolsover Castle on the other side of the hill. There is a footpath that leads you right from the Hall to the castle, but be prepared to walk 4 miles. This now skeletal ruin was built in 1724 by Smith of Warwick and it is an 18th century remodeling of an earlier house. It used to be one of Derbyshire finest houses in its heyday similarly matched to Chatsworth House. The remaining artifacts from the building now reside in a Philadelphia and Los Angeles museums.

Ghostly manifestations: The White Lady.

*Ghostly anomalies: Sutton Scarsdale Hall has the reputation to be a very haunted house, witnesses have seen disembodied floating body parts, footfall and strange tobacco smells, sometimes unexplained screams. Moving shadows have also been captured in the cellar area by paranormal investigators*  

Some of the weirdest things have been seen in the cellar area. This area is cordoned off to the public, there is a small aperture where you can see into, but it has a substantial iron grill over it. Apparently there are tunnels that run from these cellars. There has been talk of some dreadful act that took place in the cellar. This is the main area of all the accounted paranormal activity. Shadows have been seen whilst filming in the cellar too, I managed to put my night shot camera in but I didn't see anything.

During the latter half of the 1960's Sutton Hall was the centre of a ghostly enigma. A Bolsover man and his son reported seeing a ghostly apparition early in the morning moving between the church of St. Marys and the hall, the 'white lady' was seen gliding through the churchyard without legs, wearing a white hood with slits for eyes and crying like a baby or sobbing like a woman.

When interviewed the vicar of Saint Mary's church, the Reverend Stanley Hare said, "It flies through the bushes and makes very weird noises at night and could very well frighten anybody".

The sounds of echoing footfalls have been reported coming from this shell of a former grand hall, and strange floating lights seen after dark.

---

We traveled to best part of 50 miles to see the ruined hall. But when we got there it was crawling with adolescents on BMX's so we had a brief walk around then left.

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Equipment

I don't carry much equipment, its not going to prove to me one way of the other that the afterlife exists. I usually take with me a couple of cameras, video camera and voice recorder. I don't use detectors.

The use of paranormal equipment is commonly known by skeptics to be pseudo-scientific and is no proof  that ghosts and spirits exist and to save your money and don't bother using them.


Equipment that can promote audio pareidolia or apophenia, 'The 'Franks' Ghostbox, Ovulis(iovulis) all sound recorders.

Remember: Rational thinking skills are as important as any paranormal equipment.

GREYFRIARS KIRKYARD, EDINBURGH

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© Copyright images by Paranormal Places UK 

Weird!

The Covenenters Prison

Greyfriars Kirkyard has to be one of the creepiest places I have ever visited, the stones aren't staged they are real, dating as far back as the 16th century. The tombs are mostly locked and surrounded by iron railings and high stone walls, these were not prisons they were there to stop bodysnatchers such as the famous Burke and Hare raiding fresh bodies and supplying the Doctors at the nearby medical college with corpses for dissection. The covenanters prison is a makeshift prison and is locked at all times for good reason because so many people were getting attacked by the alleged poltergeist in there, only ghost tours are allowed in. The Covenanting movement began with signing of the National Covenant in Greyfriars Kirk in 1638 it was the first stage of a democracy in Scotland, but many were killed and tortured; 1200 people were forced to lay face down in the mud for 5 months all through the Scottish winters and snipers stood on the upper walls so if they tried to escape they would be shot instantly, most were, some believe that the unbridled slaughter in the kirkyard is grossly exaggerated.  In there is the alleged spirit called George 'Bloody' Mackenzie, it took a lot to warrant this title in Scotland, he was the King's adversary and eminent judge and he killed the covenenters and it was his job to think up torture methods. It is well documented that his spirit resides in the 'Black Mausoleum' and attacks visitors and famous throughout the world as 'The Mackenzie Poltergeist'. People have felt cold here, heard noises, smelt smells which could be explained, also people were receiving scratches, bite marks, bruises, burns and knocked unconscious, where is harder to explain. The council were not prepared to be held responsible for these attacks and decided to lock up that part of the cemetery. 450 people have reported having been 'attacked by an unknown force' and 140 people have fainted (but I think the statistics are high as thousands of tourist come here, some are bound to be tired etc standing in a cold dark scary place all night, also suggestion plays a major part in these cases.) The weird flip-side of this story is that they buried the man responsible for so many of these deaths this close to were the deaths took place, his spirit is mostly blamed for all the paranormal activity that occurred. His tomb was recently desecrated by two youths who found a skull (his?) and started to throw it about the place, but nothing of a supernatural nature attacked them!

Some of the paranormal activity seems to have extended to the houses that surround the kirkyard too.

Ghost Hunters ONLY!!

Symptoms of an acute stress reaction caused by adrenylin and the amygdala (primitive brain area)Fight or flight:-

Fainting, disorientation, agitation, overeactivity, anxiety, impaired judgement, confusion, detachment, tachycardia, sweating, and nausea.

Home of the famous MacKenzie Poltergeist

Nothing of a paranoiac nature happened to me whilst I visited the kirkyard, I wasn't pushed scratched or kicked in the head and I didn't faint yay! Mind you I couldn't get in the covenenters prison to let myself in for slaughter as it was locked! Shame oh well. The graveyard is creepy plain and simple, it psychologically sets you up to fear it what with its weird tombs with obscure carvings, the naked baby with the skull was quite perturbing. I would certainly go at night for sure.

Wikipedia entry
Part1

Part2