The Ghosts of Speke Hall, Liverpool

Speke Hall, Liverpool

Speke Hall is a wood-framed Tudor Manor House in Liverpool, Merseyside. Built in 1530, it’s Grade I listed and one of the country’s finest surviving examples of its kind. It’s also built a reputation as one of the most haunted buildings in England.

Speke Hall Ghosts

There is said to be several ghosts that refuse to leave this stunning Tudor mansion. Dark shadows are often seen floating around the Great Hall, and the overwhelming sense of oppression is often felt by both staff and guests alike.

The sudden feeling of nauseousness is also a frequent report by people entering this room.

The Blue Room also gives an ominous feeling, and a dark shadowy figure is often seen. The figure has been known to whisper “get out” when seen. In the upper corridors, footsteps are often heard, endlessly walking in the dead of night when nobody is around.

The sound of children crying is also a frequent occurrence, even though the hall is empty.

With all these hauntings so far, the most prolific has not yet been mentioned. The story goes that rather than cope with her husbands’ mounting debts and gambling problems, Mary Norris is said to have thrown the couples’ young son out of the window in the Tapestry room, into the murky waters of moat below.

So devastated by what she had done, Mary then followed her son, throwing herself out of the window too. Since then, the ghost of Mary has been seen in the Tapestry Room, gliding across the floor before disappearing into the walls.

Although this ghost has been witnessed, the story of Mary and her son may or may not be accurate. So the lady seen here may be the restless spirit of someone else entirely.

Speke Hall History

Speke Hall is a half timber-framed mansion (one of the most famous in Britain) that sits on the banks of the River Mersey. The house was originally built over 400 years ago by the Catholic Norris family.

The family lived here for over 200 years until the final female descendant married the Beauclerks family. The Beauclerks later sold the property and its estate to the Watt family in 1795.

The last female heir of the Watt family inherited the estate, returned to live here in 1878 and did so until she died in 1921. The house was then held in a trust for 21 years. During this time, the late Miss Watts’ butler, Thomas Whatmore, and his staff took on the estate’s maintenance.

In 1942 the house was passed on to the National Trust and was administered by Liverpool City Corporation until 1986, when the National Trust took complete control.

The house has borne witness to several hundred years of turbulent history. During Tudor times, the essential feature of a secret priest hole was used. A secret observation hole was built into the chimney in one of the bedrooms, which allowed the occupant to spot any potential threats approaching the house.