Though the site likely had Saxon roots, Middleton is first documented in the Domesday Book. The Middleton estate was passed to the de Marmion family, who held the manor from 1120 until 1291. The de Marmions were the Standard Bearers of England, jousted in the Kings colours, and even had the role of Kings Champion at the coronation of the new monarchs. Fun fact: during their ownership of Middleton in 1185, part of the estate was leased to the Knights Templar.

 

Robert IV de Marmion (c.1155 - 1218) was also known as Robert the Justice, as he was appointed Head of the Itinerant Justices of England by King Henry II, but had his lands seized by the crown in 1215 when he deserted King John and sided with the French King. Shortly after King John’s death their lands were restored to them. The oldest part of the present building, known simply as 'The Stone Building', was constructed in 1285 during the de Marmions' ownership.

 

Following Philip de Marmion's death in 1291, the estate was left to his widow, and then in shares to Philip's heirs following her death in 1313. The Freville family inherited one third of Middleton when Philip's granddaighter Joan married Alexander de Freville. The succeeding five generations were all named Baldwin, including Lord Baldwin de Freville II who was a soldier that fought in the Hundred Years War, and was highly regarded by Edward the Black Prince. By the end of the 14th century, the de Frevilles owned two-thirds of the Middleton estate.

 

Middleton passed from the de Frevilles to the Willoughby family through the marriage of Margaret de Freville. In 1495, her grandson Sir Henry Willoughby consolidated the estate into sole ownership for the first time in two centuries. Henry's son Sir Hugh Willoughby was an explorer who died searching for the North-East Passage. Later heirs became embroiled in political turmoil, when Sir John Willoughby joined the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536, and his successor Henry getting killed in Kett's Rebellion in 1549, leaving his children to be raised by the father of Lady Jane Grey. In 1575, Sir Francis Willoughby was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I in the Great Hall, even fetching him the bill. Fun fact: Through his daughter's marriage, he is the 10-times great-grandfather of the late Lady Diana Spencer.

 

In the 1600s, the Hall became a centre for science under Francis Willughby and his mentor John Ray. Together they produced foundational texts and books on birds, fish and plants. Following Francis' early death, John published their work, changing the study of natural history forever. In recognition of his father's immense scientific contributions, Francis' son Thomas was created as the 1st Baron Middleton in 1712, establishing a title that would define the family's legacy for generations. Wollaton Hall in Nottingham then became the primary seat of the Lords Middleton, and later Birdsall House in Yorkshire, leaving Middleton Hall to be occupied by many tenants.

 

In the 19th century Middleton Hall featured some influential tenants, including Sir Francis Lawley, MP for Warwickshire, John Peel, MP for Tamworth and cousin of then Prime Minister Robert Peel, and businessman Egbert de Hamel. The final sale of the Hall came in 1924 when it was purchased by John Averill, whose family became the final residents to live in the property.

 

During the mid-20th century the Hall fell into severe disrepair, and by the late 1970s, it was a crumbling shell plagued by vandalism and rot, with missing roofs and floors, despite receiving Grade II listed status. In 1980, The Middleton Hall Restoration Trust was established, and for the past 40+ years, volunteers dedicated their time and effort to rebuild and restore this prestigious location into a living timeline of its history.

Middleton Hall is widely considered as one of most haunted buildings in Midlands, and given it's 700-year plus history, this site has left behind a variety of ghostly residents, from silent spectral observers to more vocal entities.

 

Middleton Hall's most famous ghost is the Grey Lady, who's often described as so lifelike that visitors have mistaken her for a staff member dressed up in period costume, even attempting to converse with her. The first known account of the Grey Lady dates back to the 1800s, when the wife of MP John Peel encountered her sitting in a chair in the Library (now the bar area). Annoyed that a guest to the residence hadn't been announced to her, she immediately called upon the butler, ready to scold him. However, the butler insisted that no guest had entered the house at that time, and when they returned to the Library, the Grey Lady had gone. More recently in 2018, a volunteer reportedly witnessed her walking past her down the upstairs corridor, but when she looked back, the apparition had vanished. It's likely this woman belonged to one of the families who stayed here from centuries ago, but will we learn more about this mysterious spirit and will you catch a glimpse of her ghost?

 

Legend tells of a former Victorian resident who met a tragic end after falling down the Grand Staircase in the Great Hall. Ghost hunters and visitors have reported sightings of a dark, shadowy figure on the stairs and overlooking the balcony, with staff members during the day stating the feeling of being watched in that area frequently. This presence is considered negative and not a welcoming energy.

 

In the Stone Building and Jettied Building, phantom footsteps and disembodied murmurs are reported from the Hall's medieval past, with cold spots detected and ghostly sensations of something or someone touching people's hair, and tugging their clothing.

 

Some paranormal investigators claim to have encountered the spirit of Sir Hugh Willoughby, the Tudor explorer who died on his adventure in the Arctic. His presence is said to be felt most strongly in the older, medieval parts of the building, as he returns in visitation back home.

 

In the Medieval Kitchen, poltergeist activity is reported along with the sounds of people moving about, despite the room being empty. Eerie voices have also been heard and documented in this area. The spirits of two children have been sensed in the Archivist Room, along with the sounds of horses in the courtyard and the barking of a dog has been heard in the house.

 

And on one account, a visitor claimed to have heard chanting in the Throne Room, but when they went to go investigate the sound, there was no one there. Could this chanting phenomena have a connection to the Knights Templar?

DATE: Friday 18th September 2026

 

TIMES: 8:30pm - 2:00am (arrive 15 minutes early and wait patiently outside by the foot bridge until a member of our team greets you for registration)

 

LOCATION: Middleton Hall & Gardens, Middleton, Tamworth B78 2AE

 

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!