Tuesday 3rd March 2020
On Sunday the 1st of March, my good friend - John Chance, of 'Ghostcallers UK' (Facebook Page 'LINK') - kindly invited me to accompany him on a visit to the magnificent Aston Hall, in Birmingham.
This site has not only stood as one of my favourite locations in the West Midlands for many years, but it was one of the very first, allegedly 'haunted', sites that we visited after the formation of the West Midlands Ghost Club in 1989. I couldn't rightly recount just how many visits we've subsequently made to this location, over the decades, but the hall was our very first suggestion to the BBC, in 2001, when asked which property we would like to investigate for their documentary 'Ghosts'. As it turns out, of course, they were unable to secure the house for that project... but I was later able to take part in a small investigation of the site arranged by 'University Of Central England' some years later on.
Needless to say, the site itself is quite famous for it's alleged hauntings and supposedly houses a number of ghosts within it's walls...... and outside too!
By far the most famous legend associated with the house is that concerning a daughter of the Holte family, who was said to have been incarcerated - some tales say 'for literally years on end' - in a tiny room in the roof space of the building, by her wicked father. The reason for this ill-treatment is said to be the simple fact that she refused to marry a man that he wanted to 'pair her with' and / or that she had taken a lover of her own that her father did not approve of!? Whatever the reason, the legends say that someone was a little careless with the locking of the door to her prison room one day.... and she is said to have escaped.... throwing herself to her death down the nearby stairwell!!
As with many such legends, there is no historical evidence to say that this story is in any way 'true', but - of course - that has NEVER kept a good tale down before, has it!? Laugh!!
As well as the aforementioned 'prison room', the attic area of the hall also contains the 'servants quarters', which include the room known as 'Dicks Garrett'. Here, it is claimed, a young servant boy - by the name of 'Dick' - committed suicide (by hanging) after being wrongly accused of theft. It has always been said that his ghost haunts this area, though, as far as can be ascertained, no one has ever actually reported an encounter with his ghost!?
On the middle floor of the property is the impressive 'Long Gallery', which has supposedly been the site of at least a couple of ghost sightings, over the years. On one occasion, a member of staff says she saw a young boy dart into a doorway leading to the rest of the house..... A little concerned, she attempted to closely follow the figure, only to find that there was no boy in the room beyond? Widening her search, she discovered that there was no sign of a child on that entire floor..... and, finally, no lad she could see in the house itself either?
On another occasion, another member of staff claims to have seen a figure - seemingly made of 'mist' - disappear into one of the internal walls of the Long Gallery......!?
As noted above, there is also said to be an apparition associated with the park area, outside the hall. In the late 60's or early 70's, it was mentioned that a ghostly figure had supposedly been spotted by the tennis courts in the grounds. Local ghost hunter, Colin Smith, suggested that this was possibly the ghost of a 'tightrope walker', known as 'The Female Blondin', who fell to her death while performing at a gala in the park, during the Victorian period!!
This site has not only stood as one of my favourite locations in the West Midlands for many years, but it was one of the very first, allegedly 'haunted', sites that we visited after the formation of the West Midlands Ghost Club in 1989. I couldn't rightly recount just how many visits we've subsequently made to this location, over the decades, but the hall was our very first suggestion to the BBC, in 2001, when asked which property we would like to investigate for their documentary 'Ghosts'. As it turns out, of course, they were unable to secure the house for that project... but I was later able to take part in a small investigation of the site arranged by 'University Of Central England' some years later on.
Needless to say, the site itself is quite famous for it's alleged hauntings and supposedly houses a number of ghosts within it's walls...... and outside too!
By far the most famous legend associated with the house is that concerning a daughter of the Holte family, who was said to have been incarcerated - some tales say 'for literally years on end' - in a tiny room in the roof space of the building, by her wicked father. The reason for this ill-treatment is said to be the simple fact that she refused to marry a man that he wanted to 'pair her with' and / or that she had taken a lover of her own that her father did not approve of!? Whatever the reason, the legends say that someone was a little careless with the locking of the door to her prison room one day.... and she is said to have escaped.... throwing herself to her death down the nearby stairwell!!
As with many such legends, there is no historical evidence to say that this story is in any way 'true', but - of course - that has NEVER kept a good tale down before, has it!? Laugh!!
As well as the aforementioned 'prison room', the attic area of the hall also contains the 'servants quarters', which include the room known as 'Dicks Garrett'. Here, it is claimed, a young servant boy - by the name of 'Dick' - committed suicide (by hanging) after being wrongly accused of theft. It has always been said that his ghost haunts this area, though, as far as can be ascertained, no one has ever actually reported an encounter with his ghost!?
On the middle floor of the property is the impressive 'Long Gallery', which has supposedly been the site of at least a couple of ghost sightings, over the years. On one occasion, a member of staff says she saw a young boy dart into a doorway leading to the rest of the house..... A little concerned, she attempted to closely follow the figure, only to find that there was no boy in the room beyond? Widening her search, she discovered that there was no sign of a child on that entire floor..... and, finally, no lad she could see in the house itself either?
On another occasion, another member of staff claims to have seen a figure - seemingly made of 'mist' - disappear into one of the internal walls of the Long Gallery......!?
As noted above, there is also said to be an apparition associated with the park area, outside the hall. In the late 60's or early 70's, it was mentioned that a ghostly figure had supposedly been spotted by the tennis courts in the grounds. Local ghost hunter, Colin Smith, suggested that this was possibly the ghost of a 'tightrope walker', known as 'The Female Blondin', who fell to her death while performing at a gala in the park, during the Victorian period!!
I'd just like to take a second to extend a big 'Thank You' to John for asking me to visit with him on Sunday.... As always, a lovely location and great company to boot!
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