With a colourful history dating back to pre-historic times, the grounds on which The Castle sits have had multiple reports of paranormal activity over the years.
Join us as we investigate the historic Castle pub that adjoins the ruins of Halton Castle in Runcorn, Cheshire. Located on top of Halton Hill, with panoramic views of Runcorn and the River Mersey, the location is a well-known spot with locals for it’s infamous spooky goings-on that has plagued the area for years.
It’s becoming known by paranormal enthusiasts further afield, too, as its reputation as one of the most haunted locations in Cheshire continues to build and intensify.
For over 900 years, Halton Castle has stood stoically overlooking the town of Runcorn, a dramatic symbol of strength and protection, but also fear in the eyes of those who would be tried and executed here.
Used as a courthouse for centuries, the pub has the original 300+ year-old prison cells in the basement, and the courtroom was based on the first floor.
Criminals would be held in the underground cells area beneath the courthouse, led up the rear stairs and tried on the upper floors, marched down the staircase at the front of the building and hung from the gallows on the hill opposite.
In the news in 2015, when two human skeletons were unearthed on the castle grounds, the intrigue around this location continues to grow.these skeletons are now housed locally in a museum.
Halton Castle has long been associated with unexplained events, with a common sighting of a lady in a long white dress walking along the perimeter of the castle and up the stone steps. This same woman is also known to frequent the town as well, with locals spotting her in several different locations.
There have been several investigations by local groups held around Halton Castle in the past, and one of these groups witnessed a dark figure walking out from one of the solid stone walls of the castle.
Staff and visitors to the courthouse (now Castle Pub) have been experiencing strange goings-on regularly, with the activity ramping up, possibly with all of the life and energy visiting the area, which has continued to increase.
People reporting being tapped by unseen hands, voices coming from empty areas of the building, sudden cold blasts of air, and glasses moving of their own volition, are just some of the reports that have become common here.
On one occasion, the pub’s landlord was closing for the night during the Christmas period when he witnessed the apparition of a man in a butler’s uniform manifest in front of the Christmas tree. Knowing instantly the figure was a spirit, he just bade him ‘Goodnight’ and went to bed.
YOUR GHOST HUNT
On a ghost hunt at The Castle, you will take part in a host of group vigils and experiments as we try to make contact with the active spirits that are attached to this historic building and the adjoining 11th-century Halton Castle.
Not only will you join us to investigate this historic location, but you’ll also have the whole of the grounds for an entire night of paranormal investigating, including areas otherwise off-limits, including the prison cells in the basement where prisoners were held from 1737 until as recently as the late 19th century.
You will join our friendly, experienced team taking part in various experiments and seances, as well as having complete access to our range of paranormal equipment and team knowledge throughout the evening.
We keep our groups small so you have a much more personable experience, with little chance of being interrupted by other groups or suffering noise contamination.
Your evening at the Castle is a real paranormal investigation, and we don’t fake activity.
Do you have what it takes to participate in a lone vigil?
Our team can’t wait to welcome you to this incredible location and to share a night of ghost hunting that you’ll remember forever.
Spots will fill up quickly for this one, so hurry and book now!
Deposits are available for just £10.
HISTORY
The Castle Pub is a grade II listed building originally built as a courthouse in 1737. It stands on the original site of the gatehouse of Halton Castle, which was built in the 15th century, with records showing the castle itself dating back to 1070.
Located on Halton Hill, which has been used as a settlement since pre-historic times, Halton Castle was built to protect the vital crossing over the River Mersey.
The court at Halton had previously been held in the gatehouse for centuries.
However, due to deterioration following the Civil War, it was ruled a new courthouse be built on the same site. Using some of the original stones from the gatehouse, the current building looks similar to the old castle walls.