(SOLD OUT) Lancaster Castle Ghost Hunt - Lancaster

HISTORY OF THE CASTLE

Lancaster Castle dates back to Roman times when it was  built as a bastion on a hilltop commanding a crossing over the River  Lune. The earliest standing structure in the castle is the Norman Keep  which dates back to the 12th century. Throughout the centuries, the castle has held numerous prisoners ranging  from criminals to political prisoners and persecuted people for their  faiths and beliefs. The prison was closed in 1916 due to the decrease in the number of  prisoners, although in the first part of the First World War, it used to  hold German prisoners of war and civilians. The castle was also used to train police officers between 1931 and 1937 by the county council and became a prison soon after 1954 once again. Lancaster Castle is listed as a Grade I building, built in the Gothic Revival style of architecture. In 1931, the dungeons at the castle were rediscovered and were very primitive and cramped, and the prisoners are believed to only have the light from a small window above the doors, made from solid oak.

WITCH TRIALS

Following the arrest and questioning of the Pendle Witches in March 1612 by the magistrate Roger Nowell, on 15th April 1612 JP Robert Holden began investigations in his own area of Samlesbury,  a village in the Ribble Valley. This resulted in eight people being   committed to Lancaster Assizes, for investigation, three of whom – Jane  Southworth, Jennet Bierley, and Ellen Bierley – were accused of  practising witchcraft on fourteen year old Grace Sowerbutts, the  grand-daughter of Jennet and Ellen's niece. The three unfortunate women  were taken to Lancaster Castle and held in the same dungeon below the Well Tower as the Pendle Witches. The most famous of these, Old Demdyke, died in the Well Tower before being brought to trial.

DEATHS AT THE CASTLE

Between 1800 and 1865, a total of 213 people were executed at Lancaster Castle Six men were hanged in private between 1875 and 1910. Prior to 1800,  all Lancashire executions had taken place on Gallows Hill, on the moors  outside Lancaster's southern gate, in what is now Williamson's Park. some of these deaths included the infamous Highman robber George Lyon, the Pendleton murders on which the accused were innocent and the riots of 1812, the youngest being between the age of 13-16.

EVENT INCLUDES

• Complimentary tea and coffee.
• Complimentary light snacks.
• Access areas after dark - including the infamous "Witches Tower"
• Full use of equipment 
• Access to mediums and the chance to experience automatic writing.

RULES FROM THE CASTLE

Under no circumstances are Ouija boards, seances, tarot or any form of Pagan/Wicca ritual permitted. Divining rods and crystals are permissible.

Groups will be accompanied by a security at all times - no  one is to wander off on their own. We can access two buildings at any one time. There will be a sercurity on guard for the duration of the event. Smoking is not permitted anywhere within the walls of Lancaster Castle, including the outdoor courtyards. Smoking is only permitted on publicly assessible areas outside of the Castle gates.

PARKING

Vechile access is not permitted within the gates of Lancaster Castle. 

limited number of on-street pay and display spaces are located at  the front of the castle but these are limited to a maximum stay of 2  hours.

As such, visitors to the castle are advised to make use of one of  Lancaster’s larger pay and display car parks. There are 3 public car  parks within 300m of the Castle entrance.  These are at the Railway  Station (LA1 5NW), Parksafe (LA1 1EQ) and Dallas Road (LA1 1LD). Car parks are well signed from all arterial routes into the city centre.  Please use the postcodes for sat-nav assistance.

PLEASE NOTE:

Before booking onto this event  please read our Terms and Conditions. We  cannot offer refunds and all ticket sales are non-transferable.

NO UNDER 18's AND ANYONE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS WILL  NOT BE PERMITTED INTO THE EVENT.

This location is unsuitable for people with mobility issues and heavily  pregnant women.

OVERNIGHT ACCOMADTION IS NOT INCLUDED