Woodchester Mansion - Haunted Rooms
In the scullery if you listen closely you just might catch the sound of a woman's voice singing an Irish folk song. As Woodchester was never occupied for any length of time it would never have had any staff that could have 'returned' in spirit. Many of the spirits residing at Woodchester are thought to be linked to the previous residence Spring Park. It is known that Woodchester's kitchen and scullery occupy the same spot as the previous building. Indeed it is worth noting that the floor of the scullery and kitchen seem to be much older the building itself. In the short passageway between the two rooms the floor is worn and pitted, as if it has experienced centuries of use.
Walking through the passage we enter Woodchester's kitchen, it's here where the clock intended for the mansion's main tower, now stands. One of the more famous ghost stories about the property concerns this clock, which is said to start of its own accord. Visitors have heard its chime, even when the clock has not been working.
The spirit of a young girl has been seen on numerous occasions playing and running up and down the stairs to the first floor. This staircase is positioned almost exactly where Spring Park's stairs once stood, so it is possible that the girls spirit could be from that period too. Once you reach the first-floor landing and look to your right you may spot either one of two other ghosts who've been spotted within along the landing. The first ghost is that of a man whom Little is known of, except that he is seen he is aware of the person viewing him. The second is a much smaller man usually dressed all in black and wearing a hat.
Walking back along the corridor, 'occupied' by the ghost of an unknown man, we find ourselves heading for what has become known as the 'World War II' section. U.S. and Canadian soldiers once occupied this part of the mansion during the Second World War. Some of the lakes in Woodchester Park were used for training in preparation for the the D-Day landings. And it was during these exercises that tragedy struck, whilst testing out the strength of a pontoon bridge, built across one of the lake. The bridge collapsed and a tank and upto 20 soldiers fell into the lake. Those who went in were killed either by being crushed by the fall of the tank, or by parts of the bridge that crashed down on top of them. The Woodchester Park Angel was said to have appeared the night before at the same location as the incident .
As well as sensing the presence of 'people' in military uniform, music from the 1940's has been heard. And, some visitors have reported the smell of bacon frying to guides.
Woodchester mansions cellar is, considered by many to be the most haunted part of the building. The rooms high vaulted ceiling and lack of light, gives the cellar a daunting atmosphere. Behind the many and varied manifestations that have occured in the cellar, there seems to lurk one powerful and possibly demonic presence. On a number of occasions a figure, often described as a 'ragged dwarf', has been seen.
The Mansion is open to the public on certain days from the beginning of April, to the end of October:
For further details please see the Woodchester Mansion website.
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Woodchester MansionWoodchester Mansion - Haunted Rooms
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