THE LOCATION

Joining the Clitheroe Castle ghost hunt was a first time location for me. In fact I’d never seen this location promoted anywhere for a night of paranormal investigation. With any first time location I attend, it’s like that feeling of being a child again and trying to sleep on Christmas Eve, energy and excitement levels high, wondering what I’d get on the big day. I think it’s safe to say that the gifts Clitheroe Castle & Museum delivered were truly fascinating.

As the name suggests, I did expect a true castle. Even on the final approach to location in the car, catching a quick glimpse of the castle in the foreground before it suddenly disappeared behind the lush greenery. I was all prepped for the full impact of seeing this towering castle keep.

When the car pulled up on the grounds and feeling more than ready for the Clitheroe Castle ghost hunt, the castle is part remains of what it once was. Three newer (although still dating back a fair bit) buildings form an L shape. But let me just take a moment. The vista’s, simply incredible! You even get to view Pendle Hill over the way.

TOP TIP: The location is open to walk around the grounds 24/7 with no access restrictions other than to the newer buildings. So if you ever feel like a spooky midnight walk and you are in the area, then brave the dark and see what you can find.

PRE EVENT WALKAROUND

This is the part that I love. The opportunity to walk around, nobody else there, and really getting the senses tuned in to see who’s energy is present. The walkaround itself started in the café area which houses the original well. This then leads on to the actual museum which is where we would be spending the night. Spread over two large floors with rooms shooting off in every direction from the long main hallway, which for me, screamed Victorian energy. It was almost like every turn in the museum I could sense Victorian spirits oozing curiosity. Naturally this was building up the anticipation for the night ahead.

One striking thing to note is that the design and layout of the museum is simply fantastic. Lots of original items, mixed with educational areas. It is evident that the staff (who were fantastic hosts) are very proud of what they have achieved and they treasure it immensely.

DINOSAUR ROOM

Although our time here was brief, in fact we only spent 30 minutes here due to activity being stronger in the kitchen and study area. The only experiences witnessed was tapping or knocking which was short lived (excuse the pun) and a guest needing to sit down due to feeling dizzy.

GENTLEMAN’S STUDY

This area, was the one I was not looking forward to, on my initial walk around I felt a very dominant presence, authoritarian and commanding, and this was certainly the theme of the room.

Each group all reported cold spots, which for an old building can sometimes be a simple draft. But I do believe the cold from a draft, and the cold from spirit are completely different. I describe cold from spirit the same as opening your fridge or freezer door. That icy dry air blast that you get which you can feel in your lungs when you breathe it in. We also had this evidence of temperature change on the Rempod.

A brief visit from a young girl for the second group, who really enjoyed one of the group members accents. When this member would speak, I could see the young girl laughing and commenting how strange the voice sounded. No sooner had she joined us, she had gone again.

Next is where things got really interesting also with the second group. The sense I had of dominance, authoritarian and commanding, this was magnified. So much so I could not look or face myself towards the chair and desk in the study. Others who could look and watch, reported the corner going darker and darker. Which to a seasoned investigator, shadow and light is often witnessed and linked to spirit.

With the final group for the night. These feelings were still present, and these feelings really played on one member of the group. I asked the member to change places to see if things changed. Whilst initially the member felt some relief, these intense feelings came rushing back. The emotion of fear and crying set in, which brought out a protective instinct from the entire group and all the members gave a resounding “let’s leave and end the night”