A fascinating new venue for us, located on the grounds of the 11th century Halton Castle. The Castle pub, as it’s known, was utilised as an old courthouse from 1737 and was built on the original site of the castle’s gatehouse.
Event time: 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Event Price: £49.00 per person
Event Location: The Castle, Castle Rd, Halton, Runcorn WA7 2BE
With a colourful history dating back to pre-historic times, the grounds on which The Castle sits have had multiple reports of paranormal activity over the years.
Join Haunted Rooms as we investigate the historic Castle pub that adjoins the ruins of Halton Castle in Runcorn, Cheshire. Located on top of Halton Hill, with panoramic views of Runcorn and the River Mersey, the location is not just a well-known spot with locals for great food and stunning scenery, it’s also infamous for the amount of spooky goings-on that has plagued the area for years.
It’s becoming known by paranormal enthusiasts further afield, too, as its reputation as one of the most haunted locations in Cheshire continues to intensify.
For over 900 years, Halton Castle has stood stoically overlooking the town of Runcorn, a dramatic symbol of strength and protection, but also fear in the eyes of those who would be tried and executed here.
Used as a courthouse for centuries, the pub has the original 300+-year-old prison cells in the basement, and the courtroom was based on the first floor, which is now the restaurant and bar area.
Criminals would be held in the underground cells beneath the courthouse, tried on the upper floors, marched down the staircase at the front of the building and hung from the gallows on the hill opposite.
In the news in 2015, when two human skeletons were unearthed on the castle grounds, the intrigue around this location continues to grow.
Halton Castle has long been associated with unexplained events, with a common sighting of a lady in a long white dress walking along the perimeter of the castle and up the stone steps. This same woman is also known to frequent the town as well, with locals spotting her in several different locations.
There have been several investigations by local groups held around Halton Castle in the past, and one of these groups witnessed a dark figure walking out from one of the solid stone walls of the castle.
Staff and visitors to the courthouse (now Castle Pub) have been experiencing strange goings-on regularly, with the activity ramping up, possibly with all of the life and energy visiting the area, which has continued to increase.
People reporting being tapped by unseen hands, voices coming from empty areas of the pub, sudden cold blasts of air, and glasses moving of their own volition, are just some of the reports that have become common here.
On one occasion, the pub’s landlord was closing for the night during the Christmas period when he witnessed the apparition of a man in a butler’s uniform manifest in front of the Christmas tree. Knowing instantly the figure was a spirit, he just bade him ‘Goodnight’ and went to bed.
On a ghost hunt at The Castle, you will take part in a host of group vigils and experiments as we try to make contact with the active spirits that are attached to this historic building and the adjoining 11th-century Halton Castle.
Not only will you join us as one of the first groups to investigate this historic location, but you’ll also have the whole of the grounds for an entire night of paranormal investigating, including areas otherwise off-limits, including the prison cells in the basement where prisoners were held from 1737 until as recently as the late 19th century.
You will join our friendly, experienced team taking part in various experiments and seances, as well as having complete access to our range of paranormal equipment throughout the evening.
We keep our groups small so you have a much more personable experience, with little chance of being interrupted by other groups or suffering noise contamination.
Your evening at the Castle is a real paranormal investigation, we leave out the fluff, we do not have actors, and we don’t fake activity.
Do you have what it takes to participate in a lone vigil in the basement?
Our team can’t wait to welcome you to this incredible location and to share a night of ghost hunting that you’ll remember forever.
Spots will fill up quickly for this one, so hurry and book now!
Deposits are available for just £20.
The Castle Pub is a grade II listed building originally built as a courthouse in 1737. It stands on the original site of the gatehouse of Halton Castle, which was built in the 15th century, with records showing the castle itself dating back to 1070.
Located on Halton Hill, which has been used as a settlement since pre-historic times, Halton Castle was built to protect the vital crossing over the River Mersey.
The court at Halton had previously been held in the gatehouse for centuries.
However, due to deterioration following the Civil War, it was ruled a new courthouse be built on the same site. Using some of the original stones from the gatehouse, the current building looks similar to the old castle walls.
Event Location: The Castle, Castle Rd, Halton, Runcorn WA7 2BE
Time: 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM (Arrive from earliest 7:30 PM)
Parking: There is ample parking space around the roundabout at the front of the pub.
Accessibility: The location is somewhat suitable for those with mobility issues. Due to the historic nature of the venue, the location is unfortunately not wheelchair friendly.
Please Note: All guests must be 18 years or older. Not suitable for those who are heavily pregnant. Guests are strongly advised to wear comfortable shoes and warm layered clothing on colder nights.
You’re welcome to bring your own equipment, though we will be providing paranormal equipment to use.
The investigation will be in darkness so please bring a torch with you.
Although snacks and drinks are provided, you’re welcome to bring your own. There are also facilities to make both hot and cold drinks, which are provided also.
And of course, bring your phone/camera with you, the more pictures we have the better chance we have of capturing something!
Other than that, just yourself and an open mind!
On your ghost hunt with Haunted Rooms, you will have full exclusive access to the most haunted areas of this historic building. Together with our friendly team of investigators, you will join others on structured vigils, where you’ll have the chance to use some paranormal equipment and join in on group vigils such as Ouija board sessions, and seance.
Our event starts at 8.00 pm but you can arrive at the earliest 7.45 pm. Structured investigations will end around 12-1 am, at which point you will have the opportunity to investigate this location on your own using the techniques and information you have been provided with.
You will have the chance to look around the museum before the event to familiarise yourself with its layout. Shortly before the event kicks off, we’ll run you through a quick induction and safety briefing, followed by a short talk and introduction from our team. You’ll then split into smaller groups with your family and/or friends if you’ve come together, and we’ll begin our vigils for the night!
If you have your own paranormal equipment we encourage you to bring it, if not we can provide them free of charge. Snacks, refreshments, and treats will be provided at intervals throughout the night, and we’ll have facilities to make hot and cold drinks too.
We do endeavour to have mediums and sensitives with us for every event, although circumstances out of our control can sometimes prevent this. Anybody that has sensitive abilities we encourage you to come forward, as it only increases the energy and enjoyment for all in attendance.
To get the most from the evening we encourage you to try your hand at as many things as you can, and if you’re feeling particularly brave you should give a lone vigil a try, as well as joining in with our table tipping experiments as we try to commune with the spirits and ghosts of the building.
Please dress weather appropriately, with extra layers of clothing if it’s cold, plus comfortable shoes and a torch if you need one.