Most Haunted Charnock Hall

The residence of Charnock Hall is located in a quiet cul-de-sac near Preston. Once owned by the royal family, the Hall was founded by Robert Charnock, a Catholic Priest, in the 17th Century. Charnock used the building as the location for secret masses as during this period Catholicism was seriously frowned upon.

History

Charnock Hall, a Grade II listed building, has been called many names through the years including Blacklache Hall, The Old Hall and Leyland Hall. Its most famous occupants were the Charnocks from Cuerden during the 17th century. When William Charnock died in 1598, his son Roger then aged 11 was left the estate.  The Charnocks were a well-known Roman Catholic family during a period when it was not a politically correct to be a Catholic. The estate then passed on to Robert Charnock, a Roman Catholic priest, who rebuilt the Hall in 1660 as denoted by the coat of arms above the door and the letters “ I.H.S. A.M. R.C.1660”.

Before he died in 1670, he conveyed his estate to a Grace Bold, the house and estate to be left in trust for the benefit of the priests and secular clergy. It being his wish that the Hall should one day become the residence of a Roman Catholic Bishop of Lancashire.

The estate eventually passed to Robert Charnock, a Roman Catholic priest, who rebuilt the Hall in 1660. Before he died in 1670, he declared that he wanted the house and estate to be left in trust for the benefit of the priests and secular clergy. It being his wish that the Hall should one day become the residence of a Roman Catholic Bishop of Lancashire.

After a trial at the Lancaster Assizes in 1686, it was declared that the property being so left was illegal. In 1688, the Exchequer declared the property forfeited to the King and following a petition of the parishioners, the house and lands were granted to the Vicars of Leyland as glebe land. It then became a farmhouse, as the houses encroached from one side and the Motors South Works advanced from the other, the hall eventually being converted to two individual properties.

Paranormal Activity

Current owners and past residents alike have witnessed priestly figures and nun-like apparitions. Many have experienced strange activity including electrical appliances turning themselves on, as well as ghostly footsteps on the stairs.

Dark shadowy figures resembling priests have been since in the property, while residents have experienced strange activity including electrical appliances turning themselves on as well as ghostly footsteps on the stairs. The bathroom door has also been known to close itself from the outside, trapping unsuspecting visitor inside, while the figure of a small boy in the upstairs bedroom window has been seen on occasions. The Middle Bedroom is reputedly the most active, with tales of ghostly monks sitting on the end of the bed in conversation.

The bathroom door has also been known to close itself from the outside, while the figure of a small boy in the upstairs bedroom window has been seen on occasions. The Middle Bedroom is reputedly the most active, with tales of ghostly monks sitting on the end of the bed in conversation. Who the various spirits of children and monks that haunt the Hall are remains unknown…..

The Most Haunted Team

Once owned by the Royal Family, Charnock Hall in Preston was home to a catholic priest by the name of Robert Charnock. In the 17th century Catholicism was frowned upon in Britain and many masses were conducted here in secrecy. Current owners and past residents have witnessed priestly figures and nun-like transfiguration. Could the child-like feelings and giggling that the crew experience be the work of ghosts of small children that used to live here? The team bravely conduct a seance where Rick is overcome with physical pains and tingling.