Ghosts of Revesby Abbey

The many floors and rooms have their own ghostly phenomena, in the servants quarters the sound of running footsteps can be heard and the sound of slamming doors resonates throughout the abandoned corridors. Revesby Abbey is fast becoming a favourite for ghost hunters due to the amount of ghostly activity and experiences witnessed here. Heavy footsteps and sinister shuffling sounds, accompanied by a menacing shadowy presence are just part of the activity associated with this haunted old abbey.

Unexplainable EMF spikes and measurable temperature changes are common place with some people being so frightened that they have been unable to return to the building. Your ghost hunt at Revesby will not only take in the Hall itself, but also the old stables and brewhouse.

History of Revesby Abbey

The current Revesby Abbey is the third building to be called such and is Grade 1 listed, "Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important; only 2.5% of listed buildings are Grade I" English Heritage. A Grade 1 listing is the highest possible listing for buildings and hence Revesby Abbey is recognised as one of the most important buildings in the country. This Abbey was designed by renowned Scottish architect William Burn in 1843 and building work finished in 1845. This means the construction of the house took less than two years, to build over 65,000 sq ft of Victorian Luxury, which is astounding considering the lengths they went to. The Abbey is in the 'Jacobethan' or sometimes 'neo Jacobean' Style and was built with 10 acres of formal Gardens, rose harbours and such, all surrounded by a medieval deer park.

The first building to be called Revesby Abbey was a Cistercian monastery, hence the name 'Revesby Abbey'. This Abbey was founded by william de Roumare, Earl of Lincoln, who became a monk himself. Monks from the famous Abbey in Yorkshire, Rievaulx were the first to be sent to inhabit the Abbey, led by Saint Aelred of Rievaulx , and under St Aelred's management the Abbey became one of the most influential Cistercian Abbey's. Saint Aelred is even today considered a great scholar and philosopher, and advised the king of time in many occasions. The abbots became very bad at managing the Abbey though, and so in 1538 the Duke of Norfolk wrote to Thomas Cromwell to inform him the abbey was "in great ruin and decay" (despite the Abbey earning around £600,000 in todays money) and so it was destroyed like so many others under Henry VIII.

After the dissolution Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk, Brother in law to Henry VII got the estate. After he died in 1545 the estate swapped hands many times until it reached Craven Howard who decided he wanted to build a  country house on the land, very close to where theCistercian Abbey used to stand. The estate then passed to his son,Henry Howard, who decided to sell the house in 1711 and 2000 acre estate for about £14,000 (about £253 million in 2014) to Joseph Banks, the Great-Grandfather of the famous botanist and 'Father of Australia' Sir Joseph Banks. Born in 1743 Banks grew up at Revesby and it is here he discovered his passion for the natural world. After being elected a member of the Royal Society in 1766, Banks sailed with Capt. James Cook on the voyage that discovered Australia and Botany Bay was named in Honour of Banks by Cook. When Banks returned to England he was received by King George III and in 1778 was elected President of the Royal society.

In 1781 Banks founded Kew Gardens and continued to pursue ideas that have influenced the development of the world, such as introducing Marino sheep to the UK,meaning less reliance on imports and introducing Chinese tea bushes to India resulting in a boom of Tea production. In 1779, in his advisory role to King George III it was was Sir Joseph that suggested transporting criminals to Australia to reduce the pressure on overcrowded prisons here, his idea was welcomed and this has led to Australia as we know it. Joseph Banks died in 1820 and so the estate was passed to a distant relative, James Bank Stanhope. After not being lived in for many years the Abbey got into a state of disrepair and so after Banks-Stanhope consulted builders he came to the conclusion that it would be cheaper to build a beautiful new country house to replace this one. The contents of the house were sold off at auction, but despite what many think most of the buildings materials were not sold, but rather re-used in the current Abbey.

Your Event Includes

• Includes teas and coffees
• Use of ghost hunting equipment including EMF Meters, K2 Meters etc.
• Experiments including glass divination, table tipping and Ouija Boards.
• Workshop and separate vigils for returning guests.
• Ghost hunting vigils and séances in small groups.

Address, Maps & Hotels

Address & Hotel Information

Revesby Abbey Abbey Road Revesby Boston Lincolnshire PE22 7NX

For Hotels near to Revesby Abbey , please click here. opens in a new window

Parking

• Free Onsite Parking

Map & Directions

Information

Accessibility

• This location is not suitable for wheelchair users
• People with mobility issues or walking difficulties please call the office before booking

Important

• All attendees must be 18 years or older
• All attendees must bring a torch
• Wear sensible shoes and warm layered clothing as the location may get cold at night