Ghosts of Woodchester Mansion

An overnight ghost hunt at the terrifying Woodchester Mansion is not to be taken lightly and the fear experienced by many within its dark corridors and rooms has led some to flee and refuse to return. Visited by Most Haunted in 2002 and 2005, it has become a favourite of paranormal societies and ghost hunters.

Massive bangs from within the building have been heard, stones thrown from empty rooms, poltergeist activity is commonplace and even apparitions have been witnessed. Some incredible EVP recordings have been record during previous investigation and a guests captured the startling image of an Airman while conducting a lone vigil. There is little doubt that this daunting location is haunted, but will you discover this for yourself?

With many connections to rituals, black magic, death, sacrifice and murder, Woodchester Mansions dire history has a sense as soon as you enter the stone walls of this frightening and daunting building. 

Workers mysteriously laid down their tools in early 1868 and never returned. Rumours that they were unsettled by several mysterious deaths and one murder have never been substantiated, but refuse to go away. After failing to complete the project, it was destined to become a mental institution, but the Second World War came and Woodchester Mansion became a base for American and Canadian troops. It was during training that several lives were lost when a bridge collapsed, plunging some of the troops into the lake and to a watery grave. Their bodies were stored inside the building and some believe that they haunt Woodchester mansion to this very day.

You will be working with our team in all areas and taking part in seances in our attempts to communicate with the ghosts and spirits that reside here. Do you have what it takes to join us?

History of Woodchester Mansion

Woodchester Mansion sits on the site of a much earlier Georgian manor house called Spring Park.

The original manor house at Woodchester was in the heart of the settlement of Woodchester Mansion itself. After a succession of owners, the manor was granted to George Huntley in 1564. The expense of creating a huge deer park is thought to have nearly bankrupted the Huntleys and the manor and park were sold to Sir Robert Ducie in 1631. Later generations of the Ducie family decided to build a grand country house and at the same time, create a magnificent landscaped park out of the deer park. 

The mansion house being positioned halfway down the length of the valley reduces the dramatic views that would have surely been seen if it had been built on a higher spot. The site is neither convenient nor easy for transport. It is thought that because it was not the Ducie's principal residence, they may have looked at it more as an isolated retreat. They decided to extend and adapt the hunting lodge and lay out a formal garden and although a precise start date is not known, the house called Spring Park was constructed during the 1740's and finished by 1750.

Not only was the park remodelled but the house itself was too several times in the 1770s and 1830s but in 1840, because the 2nd Earl Ducie wanted further alterations and repairs, the estimate was thought to be too great and the estate was sold to William Leigh, a wealthy merchant.

The Gothic Revival style in architecture was very fashionable at the time and formed the ideology for the new house. William Leigh approached Augustus Pugin to draw up the new plans. However, in 1846 he became ill and the project was dropped. He then turned to Charles Francis Hansom to take over and administer the architectural planning.

In 1857 William got rid of Charles and unexpectedly hired Benjamin Bucknall, a young man who was an aspiring architect. Bucknall set about studying Gothic Revival architecture and the result, Woodchester Mansion, which is said to be Bucknall's masterpiece. Woodchester Mansion was constructed from 1858 to 1870 and finally in 1873, when William Leigh died, all work stopped abruptly and the mansion was left more or less as it appears today.

It may be surmised that Leigh's surviving family were less keen on the design for shortly after Leigh's death they asked another architect, James Wilson to propose a new design. This he did in his flamboyant Italianate style, but the cost of completing a new mansion was too great for any of them to afford. James Wilson had his own opinion of the site and wanted the family to build in a new location in the valley.

In 1938, William Leigh's granddaughters, Blanche and Beatrice, sold the mansion and what was left of the estate to a mental health charity, the Barnwood House Trust. They intended to convert the mansion into a mental hospital, but subsequently this plan was shelved.

During the Second World War, the grounds were used as a billet for Canadian and American troops and the mansion itself was used by St Pauls Teacher Training College. It was then left abandoned to the elements. Fortunately, its isolated position meant it did not suffer from vandalism but it was never redeveloped.

Local people ensured it never fell into total disrepair and the mansion was eventually purchased by Stroud District Council, who leased it to a building restoration trust, the Woodchester Mansion Trust in 1992.

Your Event Includes

• Use of ghost hunting equipment including EMF Meters, K2 Meters etc.
• Experiments including glass divination, table tipping and Ouija Boards.
• Workshop and separate vigils for returning guests.
• Ghost hunting vigils and séances in small groups.
• Includes teas and coffees
• Free time to investigate alone

Address, Maps & Hotels

Address & Hotel Information

Woodchester Mansion B4066 Nympsfield Gloucestershire GL10 3TS

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Parking

• Free Onsite Parking

Information

Accessibility

• This location is not suitable for wheelchair users
• This location is not suitable for people with mobility issues or walking difficulties

Important

• All attendees must be 18 years or older
• All attendees must bring a torch
• Wear sensible shoes and warm layered clothing as the location may get cold at night