THE ANCIENT HIGH HOUSE The house situated in Greengate Street was originally built in 1595. In the past the house has been a residential home, a civil war prison for officers, a school and home to an antique shop. So it's not surprising that a building with such a traumatic history should have tormented souls trapped within its walls... It has been reported that the heavy oak doors on the top floor of the building unexplainably open and close by themselves. One member of staff witnessed this phenomena followed by a sighting of tall black form silhouetted in the doorway. On investigating the staff member discovered she was the only person on the top floor! In the Victorian room on the second floor there have been many notorious ghostly sightings. People have been spooked out by sightings of an old lady sitting in the rocking chair and a young girl in Victorian dress standing in the middle of the room. There is always a chilling temperature in this room even though the heating is on full blast. In the 1960s a party of American visitors claimed to have been guided around house by the resident shopkeeper. On returning with friends they discovered the house to be in uninhabitable ruin. When shown a picture of William Marson (who had shops within the High House in 1890) the Americans claimed he had been their guide! Spine chilling or what? THE SWAN HOTEL This 400-year-old hotel in the town centre (Greengate Street) has witnessed a lot of history pass through Stafford. Stories are rife about mysterious tunnels linking cellars with St Mary's Church and Stafford castle. Sounds like something out of a Dracula movie! It is said that a drowning pool for women charged with witchcraft once stood on this site. There is also a priest hole built at the time of the Jacobite Rebellion and when it was excavated bottles and bones were found. When you visit make sure you take your crucifix! In the 1940s and 50s, the manager's family reported regular sightings of a female ghost. This so called White Lady was seen again in the 1970s in the manager's bedroom. He woke up with a jolt one night to see the ghost standing beside his bed. She is still seen wandering the corridors. One live-in chef was so disturbed by her presence he quit his job. SOUP KITCHEN This is a 16th century eating house, situated in the old quarter of the town in Church Lane. The staff may be friendly but the ghostly resident is a little more on the volatile side! The Soup Kitchen's ghost - affectionately known as 'Ethel' - certainly lets her feelings be known! It is said she is responsible for turning the hot plates on and off and for the objects that often fly from the shelves! Better duck if she takes a disliking to you then! An apparition, witnessed on several occasions, has also passed across the entrance hall where the old dresser used to stand. SUPERBOWL Research has revealed that the building is on part of the land belonging to the old infirmary which housed the 'Morgue.' The senior mechanic, who prepares the bowling lanes could hear mumbling as if there was a group of people following him from lane to lane. He was so frightened he waited by the main entrance until someone else arrived. In another incident a cleaner claimed a hanging man was plainly visible in Quasar. So beware when shooting opponents or getting a 'strike' in the alleys, you never know who might be watching over you! STAFFORD GAOL Outside the walls of the Gaol was frequently the scene of public executions attracting immense crowds of public executions attracting immense crowds, who travelled great distances - an 'event' not to be missed! Crowds of 10,000 were not unusual. Not all who were executed were murderers, in fact, half of them were put to death for forgery, horse or sheep stealing, burglary, and highway robbery. So, there's bound to be some heartbroken souls hanging around! In 1856, more than three times the usual crowd gathered for the execution of the notorious Dr William Palmer - 'The Prince of Poisoners'. The last execution took place in 1914. STAFFORD GATEHOUSE Every theatre is reputed to have its own ghost and Stafford is no exception. A lady has been witnessed several times on the main stairs of the theatre. Nothing is known of her identity or connection with the theatre but the cleaning staff prefer not to work alone in the main auditorium. SHIRE HALL/LIBRARY/TIC 'Claude' is the affectionate name for the ghost who is said to walk through the library. His 'territory' has been known to extend from the Shire Hall Gallery through the library itself and down to the Tourist Information Centre. Nothing is known of his origins and Claude remains a mystery. JD WETHERSPOONS In this pub, located in Bridge Street, the spirits aren't only in your glass! The pub was an old cinema and staff have claimed the old projection room is the scene of some spooky goings-on! Footsteps and muffled voices have been heard crossing the balcony after closing time. THE SURGERY The Surgery (or Noah's Ark as it was once called) is a town centre bar well known for its regular live music. It should be famous for its spooky goings-on. Phenomenon reported includes noises from an empty bar and furniture being moved about inexplicably, cold spots in different parts of the building and mobile phones registering non-existent calls. Another instance involved a technician being physically pushed while apparently alone and crying has been heard in the empty ladies' toilet. It is claimed there are three spirits present - 1 male, 1 female and that of an animal. IZAAK WALTON'S COTTAGE This 16th century cottage at Shallowford (near Stone) belonged to Izaak Walton, author of The Compleat Angler. A ghost named Miriam makes her presence felt now and again. Nothing is known of her history or connection with the cottage but many visitors have sensed a presence or a drop in temperature in different parts of the building. In fact, a visiting psychic has detected a female presence both up and downstairs at one end of the building. Staff have witnessed electrical equipment start operating by itself spontaneously with no logical explanation. The surrounding area has many reported sightings including a man in 17th century costume walking through a hedge and following a long-disused footpath before vanishing from sight! STAFFORD CASTLE During the 1960s the press of the day reported tales of a 'headless horseman' thundering across land at the castle. The resident caretakers of the site, apparently witnessed the spectacle. On investigation this terrifying vision turned out to be nothing more frightening than some escaped cows going walkabout... so the castle's infamous ghost was well and truly busted! SHUGBOROUGH HALL Even the name Shugborough Hall is chilling. The meaning derives from Shug a devil or evil spirit and and barrow refers to a burial mound. Perhaps this is why the estate boasts one of the oldest yew trees in England warding off evil spirits. Ghosts include Lady Harriet who died in childbirth in the State Bedroom and this room is well known for its chill and uncanny atmosphere. A former housekeeper is also said to haunt the kitchens and staff have heard the rustle of her skirts and seen her figure pass by windows. It is also the case that any slamming door in the building is put down to Admiral Anson passing through! WESTON HALL With its tall, spiky silhouette and dark, brooding appearance you could be forgiven for mistaking it for some long forgotten gothic film set. For some years after 1898, the house was used as a pauper lunatic asylum. During the second World War it was requisitioned by the Army, but the A.T.S. girls stationed there chose to sleep in tents rather than inside. The locals of the surrounding area have grown up hearing tales of the 'Grey Lady' who walks at Weston Hall. Indeed, workmen carrying out maintenance during its abandoned period refused to go alone to the Hall. Within days of opening in September 1996 it was discovered that the bar area had been mysteriously cleaned each morning with no cleaning staff on duty. This was doubly strange as the alarms were on throughout. MOAT HOUSE HOTEL Home to ghost 'George'. Staff always consult George about any changes that are going to be made. In recent years, George has been quite a shy, retiring type confining himself to the 15th century part of the building. | 
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