Tattershall Castle Ghost Hunts
Tattershall Castle
Tattershall, Lincolnshire
OVERVIEW
Tattershall Castle is a Grade I listed red-brick castle with history dating back to the 13th Century. Built by Ralph Cromwell, 3rd Baron Cromwell and Lord Treasurer of England in 1434, the Castle was owned by him and several Kings following his death, including Edward IV, Henry VII and Henry VIII. It was severely damaged during the territory battles of the English Civil War and was left in ruin which attracted romantic couples to visit. Tattershall Castle is currently owned and looked after by the National Trust, but over the years staff and visitors have experienced paranormal activity and ghostly apparitions, including the Castle's most famous ghost the White Lady.
What past residents still walk the long hallways and vast empty rooms? Whose energies will be sensed? And what stories do they have to tell?
HISTORY
- Origins Of Tattershall -
The history of Tattershall goes all the way back to Roman Britannia, but it's prominent history dates back to the early 13th Century. During the reign of King John in 1201 AD, Robert Eudo gifted the King a goshawk which was impressively well-trained. In return, John gave Robert a grant for him to hold a weekly market at Tattershall. 30 years later, Robert Eudo's son, Robert de Tateshale, was granted a license by Henry III to build a stone castle or fortified manor house at Tattershall. The site when finished consisted of many important structures, including a great hall, kitchens, stables, a gatehouse and a chapel, all of which was fortified by a tall curtain wall surrounded by a single moat.
- The Medieval Castle Rebuilt -
At the turn of the 15th Century, Ralph Cromwell, 3rd Baron Cromwell inherited Tattershall Castle. In 1434, Ralph was assigned as Lord Treasurer of England during Henry VI's reign. With his new position, Ralph came to the conclusion that the stone castle at Tattershall wasn't grand enough for someone like him, so he had it demolished and began to rebuild the castle and renovate the site with a new type of material, brick. Bricks at the point in time were a fashionable commodity and rare in medieval England, but Ralph didn't care about the cost, he wanted to give himself status and show that to everyone in the kingdom. Ralph Cromwell was an interesting character who fought alongside Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, and also served as Chamberlain of the Household twice for Henry VI. Behind the old great hall is where Ralph had the Great Tower built (the Castle we see today), but in order to accommodate this new red-brick building he had his men widen the diameter of the moat, meaning the Castle today stands firm on top of what would've been the original moat. In addition to the Great Tower, he also constructed various other lodgings and buildings within the castle walls, including new kitchens, new stables and a guardhouse.
Tattershall Castle housed over 100 servants, and second outer moat was dug soon after too. Not only was this second moat an extra addition to the Castle's defense, but it was also used with a theatrical purpose. It is said that with a double moat came a second gatehouse that visitors would have to pass through, providing them with another ceremonious welcome as they made their way through. The moats also linked up to the nearby river, allowing easy travel access in and out of the Castle to bring in supplies and armaments.
- Ralph Cromwell's Death & Crown Ownership -
Upon Lord Cromwell's death in 1456, Tattershall Castle passed into the Crown's possession since Ralph had no heir. It was then granted to loyal and familial subjects, including Edward IV, Henry VII, Margaret Beaufort and her grandson Henry VIII.
In 1537 when Henry VIII was continuing his divorce from the Roman Catholic Church in order to pave way for the Church of England, a large protest started in parts of Lincolnshire, which escalated to 40,000 commoners marching towards Lincoln. Henry sent his best friend and later brother-in-law Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk up to Lincoln to squash what was known as the 'Lincolnshire Rising'. When Charles arrived, the majority of these protesters fled. However, he rounded up the rebellious ringleaders of this attempted conflict, tried them and had them executed. As a vote of thanks, Henry gifted Tattershall Castle to Charles and ordered for his immediate relocation there to keep the people of Lincolnshire in check. Charles Brandon lived out the rest of his days at Tattershall, and upon his death he requested to be buried in the nearby Holy Trinity Church. Henry denied his request and instead buried him at much expense at Windsor Castle.
Tattershall Castle was then inherited by the Clinton family who became the Earls of Lincoln and lived here for about 120 years.
- English Civil War, Decaying Castle & Romantic Ruin -
In 1643 during the troublesome times of the English Civil War, large parts of Tattershall Castle was destroyed and heavily damaged. A Royalist army led by the Earl of Newcastle swept across Lincolnshire, and upon arrival to Tattershall they attacked the Castle with brunt force, leaving only the Great Tower intact. After Charles I was defeated, tried and executed, Parliament ordered for the demolition of the entire castle site. The Earl of Lincoln appealed to Parliament several times, pleading to spare the Great Tower from destruction. Due to his repeated pleas, Parliament revoked the demolition order and the Great Tower was saved.
When the last Earl of Lincoln died in 1693, the Fortesque family inherited the Castle but never lived there, as they were based down in Devon. Tattershall Castle was left abandoned and gradually went into ruins. The floors had collapsed, the windows were broken and both moats were filled in. The ground floor parlour was used as a cattle shed (so if you hear any phantom moos it's probably those cows). During the next 210 years, the place became a popular tourist destination for amorous couples, who spent many-a-time visiting this romantic ruin.
- Castle Saved & National Trust -
In 1910, the Fortesque family sold Tattershall Castle to an American consortium, and the fireplaces were ripped out and sold on to an American collector. The following year, Reverend Yglesias of the Holy Trinity Church next door contacted Lord Curzon of Kedleston to help save the Castle from further destruction. He acknowledged this cry for help and purchased the Castle. Guided by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, he reinstated the historic fireplaces and restored the buildings that remained. In August 1914, Lord Curzon opened up the Castle as a visitor attraction, and when he died in 1925, he left Tattershall Castle to be cared for and looked after by the National Trust.
Since that time, Tattershall Castle is still standing tall to this very day thanks to the careful preservation work of the National Trust. Every year it is visited by thousands of people who come to admire the beauty and history of this red-brick fortress. Today it is one of the three most important surviving brick castles of the mid-15th Century in the whole of the UK.
In 2024, Brookes Paranormal partnered up with the National Trust to offer members of the general public the amazing opportunity to book on a paranormal investigation event for Halloween 2024. Brookes Paranormal are extremely proud and honoured to have a fantastic working partnership with the National Trust at Tattershall Castle.
GHOSTS & HAUNTINGS
Tattershall Castle is not for the faint-hearted, as numerous paranormal occurrences have been reported here over the years.
The Castle's most famous ghost is that of the White Lady. No one knows who this female spectre is, but she has been seen on several occasions wandering the Battlements, as well as in the Private Chamber. She has been described as a glimmering woman wearing a white gown and a French-style medieval headdress. What connection does this lady have to the building? Did she pass away whilst living in the building? Or is she looking for a lost lover who never returned back?
Strange audibles like taps and bangs have been heard throughout the floors of the building for no apparent reason, and eerie disembodied voices echo the empty rooms like conversations of the past recorded into the fabric of the building.
In certain parts of the Castle, visitors and staff have felt a sudden sensation of sickness thwarting them from continuing on, and the feeling of not being able to enter specific turret rooms in the Great Hall has also been documented, as if something or someone doesn't want them stepping any further. Who is causing these unsettling effects to people? Is there a secret they don't want people to know about?
One paranormal account is that of a poltergeist who causes mischief throughout the Castle, known to have moved objects around the chambers. Despite the Castle being closed one time, a member of staff discovered a load of leaflets scattered across the floor in one of the turret rooms. Could this be a playful spirit wanting to get our attention, or something more sinister issuing a warning of their presence?
The Cellars also pose a feeling of dread with its low ceilings, as if someone is lurking in the shadows watching your every move. While the Cellars stored wine and ale, it's believed that they were once used to imprison people in during the English Civil War. Does the vibrating energies of disgruntled souls still remain trapped within these decrepit walls?
YOUR GHOST HUNT EXPERIENCE
Your night of ghost hunting with Brookes Paranormal is guaranteed a fun, safe and spooky one. Experience this historic location with exclusive access after dark, as you explore the eerie rooms and areas in search for the ghostly spirits that haunt here. Here at Tattershall Castle, you will get to investigate the Cellars, the Great Hall, the Audience Chamber, the Private Chamber and the Lower Battlements at the roof of the castle.
Our team are friendly, professional, approachable and knowledgeable with paranormal investigating, and we will guide and support you to make sure you get the most out of your investigation. We welcome everyone from all walks of life, as our events are a safe space for all who love and enjoy the thrill of ghost hunting. Whether you're a paranormal novice or an experienced investigator, you'll be well-looked after and treated like family.
This is an honest ghost hunting experience, so there won't be any fakery or trickery during the night. We believe that if activity happens, it happens for real.
On your ghost hunt, you will be split into smaller groups to give you the best, personal experience possible. You will also get hands on with various pieces of ghost hunting equipment and participate in interesting paranormal experiments. While we encourage everyone
to get involved in the night's vigils, you don't have to partake in experiments like Ouija Boards and the Estes Method if you don't
want to, we have plenty of other equipment for you to use.
You will also have a couple of breaks throughout the night, where we provide you with unlimited refreshments and snacks.
YOUR EVENT INCLUDES
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Group photo of all guests which gets published to our page
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Small group extended vigils
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Refreshments and snacks like teas, coffees, hot chocolates, bottles of water, biscuits, crisps and chocolate bars
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Full use of ghost hunting equipment like K2s, EMF Meters, REM Pods, Cat Balls, Spirit Boxes, Motion Detectors, Dowsing Rods, Laser Grid Pens, ITC Apps, Puck Devices and SLS Cameras
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Paranormal experiments like Ouija Boards, Glass Divination, Table Tipping, Séances, Estes Method, Automatic Writing and Pendulums
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An introduction to ghost hunting equipment and techniques for guests new to the paranormal
PLEASE NOTE BEFORE BOOKING
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All attendees MUST be 18 years or older
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Heavily pregnant women are NOT allowed on these events
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This location is NOT wheelchair accessible
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This location has NO sleepover facilities
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We operate a STRICT No Alcohol/Drugs Policy on our events, and if caught or believed to be under the influence of any alcohol or drugs, you will be removed from the event immediately and banned from all future events - No refunds
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All attendees MUST bring a torch to the event, as we will be investigating in dark areas and low light conditions
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Sensible footwear is required for the location's environmental conditions
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In the colder months we advise to wear warm layered clothing, and bring a warm coat with you as the night will get cooler as the event progresses
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History tours are NOT provided at this location, but we will talk briefly on the location's past
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Ouija Boards ARE brought to events at this location
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Please ensure you are able to attend this event; deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable, and full payments and remaining balances are non-refundable and non-transferable four weeks prior to the event date
ADDRESS, EVENT TIMES & PARKING
ADDRESS: National Trust - Tattershall Castle, Sleaford Road, Tattershall, Lincolnshire LN4 4LR
EVENT TIMES: 8:00pm - 1:00am (Arrive at 7:40pm)
Please wait patiently outside the main gates until a member of our team greets you there, where they will register you and other team members will guide you on-site to our base room.
PARKING:
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On-site parking via Tattershall Castle Car Park.