The Ghosts of Ryecroft Hall

Ryecroft Hall in Manchester has produced some frightening paranormal activity during ghost hunts and paranormal investigations, including objects being moved by unseen hands, dark shadowy figures moving around and the sounds of disembodied voices from empty rooms. This former hospital even has a cellar which was once used as a mortuary and people have fled in fear due to the oppressive nature of this area.

With a reputation for ghostly activity and the cellar (once used as a morgue during the hall's time as a hospital) has had reports of apparitions walking from room to room. A childlike figure in Victorian clothing is often seen on the main staircase and is believed to be that of a young girl known to have fallen to her death there. Other apparitions have included Soldiers, a young woman in a mop cap, a First world War Nurse and a woman in a long dark dress. Also, unexplained smells have appeared from nowhere, extreme drops in temperature have been felt, bells have rung and items have even been thrown.

The History of Ryecroft Hall

Ryecroft Hall was built in 1849 by James Buckley, a wealthy family man who owned the Cotton Mills at Ryecroft. The Hall took several years to build, with all the necessary comforts of a Victorian gentleman; a library, large dining room, study, billiard room, ball room as well as sitting rooms bedrooms and servants quarters. The outbuildings had stables and coach houses. Many of the rooms still have the original wood panelling and very ornate ceilings which are still in existence.

World War I, with over 100 beds and was eventually given to the people of Audenshaw in 1922 for council offices.

James Buckley and his brother Abel were cotton manufacturers owning Ryecroft and Oxford Road Mills near St Peter’s church Ashton, the Buckley’s were a very rich family, and as you look around Ryecroft Hall you will see James intended to live in some style. The Hall took several years to build, with all the necessary comforts of a Victorian gentleman; a library, large dining room, study, billiard room, ball room as well as sitting rooms bedrooms and servants quarters. The outbuildings had stables and coach houses. Many of the rooms still have the original wood panelling and very ornate ceilings which are still in existence.

James Buckley had died in 1851 with the hall still unfinished and it was inherited by his son also a James, who then sold it to his brother William Smith Buckley who lived in the luxury of the hall until his death in 1877. In 1885 the hall was passed on to Abel Buckley, William’s cousin. (Another Abel!) Abel lived at Ryecroft Hall for 22 years, he was an extremely rich man having interests in collieries, hotels and banks as well as retaining interests in cotton mills the start of his wealth.  He was a Congregationalist and gave large amounts of money for the building of the Albion Chapel in Ashton. (Was it built to be taller than the nearby Parish church, there was a lot of religious rivalry in the nineteenth century)

In 1908 Abel died and the Hall was owned by his sons until February 1913 when it was sold to Austin Hopkinson. He was another rich man this time making his money from engineering. He built the Delta works in Audenshaw to produce coal cutting machinery which he had invented and developed.

He served as a local Councillor and was MP for the area from 1918 until 1945 with just one short break. He was a generous man and was very innovative and liberal in dealing with his work force at the Delta works. During the Great War 1914; 1918 the Hall became a Red Cross hospital. In 1922 the house and grounds were given to Audenshaw, and it served as the administrative centre and social centre for the Urban District until the formation of Tameside MBC in 1974.

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

Ryecroft Hall Manchester Road Audenshaw Manchester M34 5ZJ

For Hotels near to Ryecroft Hall , please click here. opens in a new window

Parking

• Free Onsite Parking

Map & Directions

Information

Accessibility

• This location is not suitable for wheelchair users
• This location is not suitable for people with mobility issues or walking difficulties

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