Chance to take a tour of an historic house haunted by a grim past
PEOPLE who are feeling brave can take a tour of a building near the heart of Swadlincote which has been dubbed one of the most haunted buildings in the country.
Circle of Friends Paranormal is arranging a tour of Gresley Old Hall, in Church Gresley near Swadlincote which is said to be teeming with ghosts as it sits minutes away from modern housing estates.
The most recent occupants of the hall were the Alleyne family and there are gruesome tales of people who allegedly lost their lives. It is said on the second floor there is a derelict room which houses the lost souls of children who were abandoned here.
One of the most famous ghosts is reportedly a maid of the family who burnt to death in a room while supervising the children. After the accident her room was bricked up never to see daylight again. Apparitions have been seen there as well as poltergeist activity, it is claimed by ghost hunters.
The hall itself is Grade II listed building which was acquired by Sir Christopher Alleyne. Stone from the site of Church Gresley priory in 1556 is reputed to have been used to build Gresley Old Hall.
Since then, Gresley Old Hall has had many uses during its life, including as a factory and later on a farmhouse. It has also been leased to many farming families and over the years, the rural setting of the hall has changed as the land has been sold off over time. Eventually the hall was bought by the Coal Board in 1953 to make it in to a miners’ welfare club, which opened in 1964.
Now on Saturday, December 3, accompanied by the team at Circle of Friends Paranormal, ghost fans will split in to small groups to work their way through the building hunting for signs of ghouls.
Traditional and scientific methods of investigation will be used, such as table tipping, ouija boards and “EVP” sessions, said a spokesperson for the event. The intention of the tour is to start interacting with the spirits which reputedly haunt the building, they said.
Hot drinks, bottled water and biscuits will be provided for anybody who attends, as well as other amenities such as a toilet and free parking.
No alcohol, vapes or drugs are permitted on the tour, and people must be aged 18 or over to attend.
The location has a lot of stairs so may be unsuitable for those with mobility issues. Tickets for the event start from £23 per person and can be purchased by emailing bookings@cofparanormal.co.uk, or calling Jo on 07309763036.