The history of St. John’s House begins in 1154 during the reign of Henry II, when William de Beaumont, Earl of Warwick established the Hospital of St. John the Baptist on this site. Designed with a dual purpose, the hospital served as a sanctuary for the local poor and ill, while also providing food and overnight boarding for impoverished travellers and pilgrims. It was a vital religious and charitable hub for medieval Warwick, standing alongside the nearby St. Michael’s Leper Hospital as a place of respite. By 1610, the site featured four distinct buildings, including a crenelated gatehouse and a chapel, all built upon grounds that included a cemetery, a fact confirmed by the repeated discovery of human remains during later renovations.

 

Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII, the site transitioned from a religious institution to a private estate when it was granted to Anthony Stoughton for his service to the King. For several decades, the land was leased to local yeomen, but it was Anthony Stoughton Jr. who eventually transformed the site by constructing a grand residence. A lasting testament to this era can still be seen in the East Wing, where a door lintel is inscribed with the date 1626 and the initials "A.S.". The Stoughton family maintained ownership of this historic home for over three centuries, anchoring the house’s identity as a prominent Warwickshire manor.

 

In 1791, the house entered a new chapter as an educational institution when the Earl of Warwick rented the building to William T. Fowler, who founded St. John’s Academy. The school remained a family-run endeavor for decades, and after the death of Fowler’s son-in-law in 1857, the leadership passed to his three daughters. Under their direction, the academy transitioned into a girls' school by 1861.

 

The 20th century saw St. John’s House shift toward public and military service. After a brief period of private tenancy, the War Department acquired the house to serve as an administrative base for the Home Counties and East Anglian Brigades. In 1959, the sale of the Warwick Castle Estates led to the building's conversion into a museum. It was officially opened in 1960 by the famous Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and became the home of the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers Museum. For over fifty years, the house served as a repository for local history and military heritage, displaying artefacts that spanned centuries of British life.

 

St. John's House ceased to be open to the public back in 2016, and today has evolved from a traditional museum into a specialised centre for Warwickshire Heritage Learning. Its unique combination of medieval burials, Victorian schoolroom atmosphere and Jacobean architecture has made it a prominent location for paranormal adventurers. The house stands as a silent witness to 900 years of dark history, providing a sense of nervousness in a uniquely foreboding and atmospheric setting for those brave enough to explore its storied halls after dark.

Several ghosts haunt St. John's House, causing various amounts of paranormal activity and unexplained happenings.

 

The haunting reputation of St. John's House is dominated by the tragic legends of two sisters, whose spirits are said to remain fiercely protective of their former home. According to local lore, both met untimely and harrowing ends within these walls: one perished in a horrific accident when her clothing caught fire as she stood by a hearth, while the other fell gravely ill following a terrifying break-in at the mansion, with many believing she quite literally died of fright. These two sisters are known to be loud and persistent, often making their presence felt in a deliberate attempt to drive away those they deem as 'intruders'.

 

Beyond the tragic sisters, the house is a hive of activity often attributed to the spirits of other children. Many visitors who walk the long, Jacobean corridors report the unmistakable sounds of children's laughter and the frantic pitter-patter of running feet. These spectral children are frequently seen darting through the shadows, oblivious to the passage of time.

 

Ghost hunters often describe hearing disembodied voices and witnessing the apparition of a woman dressed in a long, Victorian-style gown passing through the rooms, with the soft ruffling of fabric heard as she passes by. She is a frequent ghost in the mansion’s long history of sightings.

 

For those brave enough to venture beneath the floorboards, the dark creepy cellar holds a much darker energy. Investigators have identified a malevolent male presence lurking in the murky corners who is notoriously aggressive, particularly towards women. This menacing male figure creates a heavy, unsettling atmosphere down in the cellar. Will you come across this evil entity on your vigil

 

While the feeling inside this incredible house is intense with active spirits and hauntings, your paranormal investigation with Brookes Paranormal is supported by experienced lead investigators to ensure that your journey into Warwick’s haunted history is fun, safe and spine-chilling.

DATE: Saturday 18th July 2026

 

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

 

LOCATION: St John's House, St Johns, Warwick CV34 4NF

 

PARKING AT EVENT:Car Park on-site and Local Street Parking. Please note car parking charges may apply.

 

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!