The history of the property dates back to 1678 when a farming estate, comprising of small stone buildings, two cottages and a granary, was first built. In 1725 one of the cottages was extended, and the site became known as Cockliffe Farm. The landowners began breeding game here for the local shoots, with Eurasian Woodcocks most notably being produced and killed; this is where Cockliffe gets its name from.

 

In the late 19th century, the house was given a Victorian makeover in certain parts, including a new French château-style façade which is still seen today.

 

In the 1900s, the Seeley family purchased the farm to further establish their sprawling estate, and because of its close proximity to their other property Sherwood Manor. They transformed it into a grand hunting lodge, welcoming visitors who had plenty of happy and sad memories in its time. The house also welcomed famous guests in its history, including King Edward VIII, Sir Winston Churchill during the 1930s and 1940s respectively. Many parties and occasions were celebrated at Cockliffe House during those years, as the Seeley's gained a reputation for being incredibly generous and hedonistic hosts. When the Seeley Estate liquidated in 1948, the house became a private home and later a Heritage Centre for the public.

 

In the early 1990s, Cockliffe House became a commercial property once more, before being purchased by a married couple in 1995, who converted the premises into a hotel and restaurant.

 

Today Cockliffe Country House operates as a wedding venue and hotel, among other seasonal events, carrying on showcasing the house's historic features and spectacular architecture.

Behind the glitz and the glamour, Cockliffe Country House has its own resident ghosts who cause consistent levels of paranormal activity around the property.

 

Staff over the years have reported two main spirits who make their presences known here: the White Lady and the Little Girl.

 

The White Lady appears in a glowing white dress, walking calmly across the outdoor gardens before vanishing, with some staff members witnessing her presence from the bedroom windows upstairs. On previous investigations using ITC software, we've had the phrase 'White Lady' get repeatedly output. No one is sure who this person is, but she does like to make people feel sick and nauseous whenever focus is placed on her energy.

 

The Little Girl is a spectral child with long, mousy-brown hair, who is frequently seen running around the inside of the house, more specifically she runs down the corridors past the Dining Room towards the kitchen and back again. A number of years ago, she was first spotted by one of the house's chefs running past the kitchen in a flash. He freaked out immediately in sweating shakes, clenching his crucifix necklace terrified at what he just saw, a ghost. Since then he and others have seen her in the same area. Again, we are still trying to discover who she is.

 

Dark shadow figures are regularly witnessed gliding past windows and doorways both inside the house and between the outbuildings. These sightings are often accompanied by phantom footsteps, disembodied voices and responsive knocking or tapping sounds when investigators attempt to call out.

 

In Room 9 located in one of the outbuildings, visitors and investigators have encountered a distinct male presence, believed to be a former groundskeeper. This spirit is known for more direct physical contact, such as tapping on doors and tables, interacting with equipment and touching people on their heads and shoulders.

 

With Rooms 2 and 1, these guest rooms experience an unexplained infestation of dead flies on the windowsills, regardless of the season and even with all windows, doors and vents shut and sealed. It's strongly speculated this bizarre phenomenon is linked to the White Lady.

 

Room 4, known as The Red Room, poses a unique energy field where multiple mirrors face each other, like reverberating reflections. Disembodied whispers and EVPs are picked up in this room. We strongly believe these mirrors have opened up a portal to different spiritual dimensions, which is why both hotel guests and investigators experience sudden physical symptoms, such as sharp headaches, dizziness and unexplainable feelings of deep sorrow.

 

And lastly, one of the most documented paranormal instances at the house occurred in the breakfast bar area back in December 2021. Staff arrived one morning to find a heavy chandelier smashed on the floor. Because the chandelier was secured to a closed ceiling hook, it could not simply just fall and smash. Upon reviewing CCTV footage later that afternoon, staff watched the fixture unhook itself in mid-air, as if lifted by invisible hands, before it dropped to the ground.

 

Join Brookes Paranormal Events for a paranormal investigation here to become part of history, as we continue to learn more and document the hauntings of this beautiful venue since our first visit back in 2022.

DATE: Saturday 30th January 2027

 

TIME: 8:00pm - 2:00am (arrive 15 minutes early)

 

LOCATION: Cockliffe Country House, Burntstump Country Park, Burntstump Hill, Arnold, Nottinghamshire NG5 8PQ

 

PARKING AT EVENT: Car Park on-site.

 

REMAINING BALANCE: Needs to be paid FOUR WEEKS prior to the event date. Failure to pay your remaining balance(s) before this deadline will result in you forfeiting your place(s) and your place(s) will be sold on. Deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE!

 

WHAT TO BRING: A torch, a warm coat/jacket, sensible footwear, any equipment you wish to bring along (your responsibility), your positive and open-minded energies.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Bringing alcohol or illegal drugs to this event is strictly prohibited. If anyone arrives at the event under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances, they will not be allowed to stay for the night and will be asked to leave immediately, NO REFUNDS!