Most Haunted Location - Samlesbury Hall

Foundations Laid.

The first hall was built by the D'Ewyas family and situated on the bank of the river Ribble.

This was destroyed by Robert the Bruce, after the Battle of Bannockburn, when the Scots ransacked and pillaged homes along the banks of the river, from Preston to Clitheroe.

Gilbert de Southworth from Warrington married Alice D'Ewyas in the early 1320's, and five years later built the Great Hall, the oldest part of the building.

In 1678 the Hall was bought by Thomas Bradyll, who also owned Corishead Priory.

The Nineteenth Century

John Cooper bought the Hall in 1850 and leased it as a high-class boarding school for girls.

In 1862, Joseph Harrison, a wealthy Blackburn man of good-works and friend of Charles Dickens, was the next buyer who carried out much renovation and restoration. Dickens himself was a staying guest at the hall whilst touring Lancashire shortly before his death in 1870.

Unfortunately, he was a lavish entertainer and spent way beyond his means. Facing imminent ruin and disgrace, he shot and killed himself in 1878.

A Treasure Almost Lost Forever

A local J.P. lived here until 1909 when the Hall, now looking shabby from lack of care, was left to be demolished.

Fortunately, in 1924, an appeal was launched and a group of trustees formed Samlesbury Hall Trust to rescue and preserve the Hall for future generations.

Visitors to Samlesbury Hall today can see that they succeeded and the Hall is now in good repair attracting 50,000 visitors each year.

Phoenix From the Flames

Samlesbury Hall has been independently owned and administrated since 1925 by a registered Charitable Trust known as The Samlesbury Hall Trust whose primary aim is to maintain and preserve the property for your enjoyment and pleasure.

Modern Times

The hall has witnessed some great events of the 20th century, including in 1957, the onsite building of Donald Campbell's world water-speed record breaking boat, the legendary Bluebird K7.

Ghosts

Although many Media Companies including television have attempted to capture the ghosts and spirits of this very haunted location, they have never been able to do justice to exactly how much paranormal activity actually goes on at Samlesbury Hall. The notorious spirits here have been investigated by Yvette Fielding and the Most Haunted Team with some terrifying results. Other international Media teams have also visited in order to capture and record the phenomena here.

Haunted Happenings will be embarking on their first public paranormal investigation here with their very own Simon Entwistle. Simon has done many TV Programmes recounting the history of Samlesbury Hall and is definitely the best person to escort us on this investigation.

The ghosts and spirits that we hope to encounter here include Dorothy Southworth, the Legendary Grey Lady. She bore witness to the horrific and brutal murder of her young lover and his companions. Incredibly this act was carried out by members of her own family. There have been many strange sightings of physical apparitions here along with some eerie and ghostly cries. There are also immovable blood stains thought to be that of a slain priest, still visible today. You will also be able to see the shallow graves, which contained human remains.

A séance here in 1924 resulted in a terrifying ordeal for all concerned. There is also phenomena relating to the trial of a resident witch, who still haunts the building today.

We want you to join us on our first investigation here and to help us record what can only be described as an investigation not to be missed.

Back to location list