The Old Hall Hotel
The Old Hall Hotel is located in the parish of Sandbach, which is within the district of Cheshire, England. It's thought that this building dates back to 1656 and that it stands on the site of a previous house which was destroyed in a fire. This location still has original Jacobean features and much of it's original structure is preserved today. There is a hidden door by one of the fireplaces which leads to a room once used as a hiding place for priests, known as a priest hole. The Old Hall is said to have become a coaching inn and later a hotel. The building did close during 2005, but was then saved by local people. Following renovation, the building reopened as the Old Hall Hotel seen today. There are many spirits said to haunt this location. The strangest spirit is a woman who looks like she's dressed as a beekeeper. Aside this spirit, it's said there are numerous children, an old woman in a rocking chair, and possibly the owner from the 1600s present. It's also said that guests wake up at 3am thinking that their room is on fire.
History
The Old Hall Hotel, which is located on High Street in the parish of Sandbach, is said to be on the site of an ancient mansion. This mansion belonged to the former lords of the manor, and these were the Radclyffe family from around 1480. An alternative spelling commonly cited for Radclyffe is Radcliffe. It has also been said that the previous house belonged to the Sonbache family. An alternative spelling for this family name is Sandbach. It's been said that the Sandbach family house was built on this site during the 13th century, also known as the 1200s, but that there is evidence of an even earlier house building on the site dating back to the 12th century, also known as the 1100s. This means that the Sandbach family may have had a house here until around 1480 when the Radclyffe family became the lords of the manor. This is all just speculation though based upon seemingly contradicting details cited amongst sources.
It has also been said that the building on the site, which dated back to the 12th century, also known as the 1100s, was a priests seminary which was destroyed by a fire. Again, I don't know how true that detail is; but sources agree a previous building did stand on the site prior to the Old Hall. Again sources seem to claim this previous building dates back to either the 12th century, also known as the 1100s, or the 13th century, also known as the 1200s. It's commonly said that when the previous building burnt down, the one seen today was built during 1656. The Old Hall was possibly built by John Radclyffe for his dad, Sir John Radclyffe. The left wing of the building is said to be slightly older than the 1656 date given to the rest of the building.
It was during the 18th century, also known as the 1700s, that the building was converted into a coaching inn by the Crewe Estate. This meant an extension was added to accommodate horses of the Liverpool to Lichfield coach. During the time of this extension, the location was known as 'The Three Tuns'. It's said that the location became a hotel during the 19th century, also known as the 1800s, and that it served as a coaching inn until this date. However, it seems it was still a coaching in during the 1800s as apparently a further extension was added during the 19th century, also known as the 1800s, to accommodate coach travellers. Another slightly contradicting detail is that the location apparently joined the Crewe Estate during the 1800s; something which would contradict them converting the location into a coaching inn during the 1700s. It's also been said the location was extended during the 1800s to add a carriage arch to the right wing of the building.
During 1841, the hall was divided into two tenements. The eastern side was the rectory of a Reverend William Sylvester, and the Western part was the public house known as 'The Three Tuns Inn'. Again, it's unclear if the whole building was once operating as an inn by this name, or if information amongst sources is incorrect and the name originated during the year of 1841. I would assume the whole building operated under this name as an inn, but then was split. Sources have also said that during 1887, the location was restored by John Stringer of the Crewe Estate.
A rumour about the location says that this black and white timber framed building has a tunnel running beneath it. This tunnel is in the cellar and is said to emerge behind the alter in the St. Mary's Church opposite this building. It's believed to have been used by priests and that it was also used to smuggle girls into the inn. It's also said another tunnel leads from the church to a house on the front street, plus that there is another tunnel which alledgedly links the Old Hall with the house on the front street. This tunnel has not been found, and I don't know the legitimacy of the other tunnels either. I've found that as High Street was considerably altered during the 19th century, also known as the 1800s, then it's believed the existence of these tunnels is highly unlikely.
It is also said there is a hidden door to the right of the fireplace which is located in the lounge of the building. With this door, there are also peep holes to allow air in to the secret space and to allow priests to look out. Priests would often used spaces like this, known as priest holes, to hide when needed and they would often escape the soldiers looking for them. However, it's said they didn't escape the fire and were burned to death in the priest hole. I haven't found any specific dates or events around these deaths, so it may not be true. As much of the original structure is preserved today, this does mean the original jacobean fireplaces are all still present in the building. The Old Hall Hotel is a genuine tudor building, plus is one of the last example of a black and white building in England.
During World War II, which begun during 1939, the location was used as a billet for American officers. During this time, the Old Hall was visited by the US army commander General Patton. The Old Hall Hotel does have a grade I listing, and it was first given this listing on the 11th of August 1950. The location's outbuildings have a grade II listing, and they were first listed on the 27th of April 1978. The outbuildings date back to the 17th century, also known as the 1600s; and when they were inspected during 1977, they were in poor condition. Various windows and doors were all boarded up. These outbuildings had two storeys and a corrugated asbestos roof.
During the early 2000s, the Old Hall Hotel fell into disrepair and was on top of English Heritage's list of 'Most Endangered Listed Buildings'. The location closed as a hotel during 2005, and it remained empty for four years. Dhring 2006, the location was aquired by an asset management company, but upkeep of the building was overlooked. This led to extensive water infiltration along with rot occuring due to the deteriorating roof. A campaign to save the building occured as the Sandbach residents established the 'Save the Old Hall Action Group'. This group's campaign led to the roof being repaired, and the group's chairman Malcolm Thurston wanted to see the building fully restored and occupied. Malcolm was a retired engineer and local historian, and he said the following about the building:
"The Old Hall is part of the heritage of Sandbach so it must be saved... with it's location in the centre of Sandbach by the old cobbled streets, it is part and parcel of the town... we've had people from all over the world who've stayed in the Old Hall get in touch to say what a shame it is that the hotel has not been maintained... we have proposed that the building be turned into a museum and a tourist information centre... there is currently nothing in Sandbach to document the town's history such as it's importance as a trucking centre for big firms like Foden. With it's proximity to the M6 it could also be the first stop on a coach tour of all the black and white buildings in Cheshire... we're fighting against finance and bureaucracy."
The campaign gained support from the council's conservation officer and from Lord Robin Radclyffe of Surrey, a descendant of the building's founder. Robin, just like the group, wanted to see his ancestral home restored. During 2010, the Old Hall was bought by the pub chain Brunning and Price group. They repurchased the location into a pub and restaurant, and after this period of renovation the location opened during the July of 2011. This renovation project lasted for either eleven or eighteen months. Upon the location reopening during 2011, the 'Save the Old Hall Action Group' renamed itself to the 'Sandbach Old Hall Appreciation Group'. The Old Hall did undergo a refurbishment during 2024. This refurbishment lasted between the 7th and 17th of October, and the Old Hall reopened on Friday the 18th of October 2024. The hotel has a jacuzzi and an a la carte restaurant. The final detail I've managed to find about this location is that the attic once used to be the servant's quarters.
Hauntings
The Old Hall Hotel is said to be one of the most haunted buildings in the country. Apparently a small boy called Matthew haunts Room 2. In Room 11, guests report feeling like they've been pushed down in the water while in the bath and they wake up at 3am feeling like the room is on fire. Also in Room 11, it's been reported that jewellery goes missing. Room 11 is also said to be where a ninety year old woman sits in a rocking chair by the bed. This elderly spirit is believed to have been a servant who lived in the room until they died of a heart attack over twenty years ago. It's said she doesn't understand why people are coming into her room. Unsurprisingly, Room 11 has been called the most haunted room in the building. Also in this room, presences are felt and objects move at night, however the reports of objects moving across rooms and strange presences don't seem specific to Room 11.
In the Old Hall Hotel, the skeleton of a baby was found after the panelling in one room was taken and replaced with panelling from Haslington Hall. Since this skeleton was found, it's been said the ghost of a grey lady has been sighted walking around the hotel. It's believed she is the mum of the skeleton baby and that she is looking for her child. Several children are said to haunt the location, one of which is Matthew. There is also a spirit known as 'The Beekeeper'. This spirit is a woman who appears to be dressed as a beekeeper, and she walks from the front door to the stairs. She is believed to be very old and unaffected by our presence.
There are two young girls believed to haunt the location, either aged between twelve and thirteen or one is age twelve and the other is age thirteen. It's believed these girls were prostitutes smuggled into the hotel through the underground tunnel for a gentleman who stayed here during the 1800s when it was a coaching inn. The girls have been seen through the hotel, including Room 11. They've been heard in the bedroom, the kitchen, and the restaurant in the early hours. They can also be heard giggling, opening doors, and in once case they're said to have scared the chef by rearranging his knives in the kitchen.
Regarding the fireplace where it's said the priests died, no hauntings have been attributed to this area; just presences and orbs. Another haunting is that a tall man appears directly infront of staff. He also clicks door latches repeatedly and makes hanging pint pots swivel on their hooks in the bar. It's suspected that he enjoys scaring staff as his action of moving things suddenly achieves this result. It's thought this spirit is that of Sir John Radclyffe, and it's said he wears attire from the 1600s. Regarding the tunnel, psychics have said they believe this tunnel creates a passage for spirits from the church to pass into the hotel. A visiting psychic once saw a man with a gauntlet for a bird of prey sitting in the cellar. It's also been said that psychics have said the Old Hall has fourteen different spirits.
The spirits of servants have been sensed in the attic. It's said these spirits are both from the current building and the one that burned down as it's believed many of these spirits died in the fire. Lisa Wynne, a hotel employee from 2004, has said the following about her own paranormal experiences while working at the location: "I see a ghost up to three or four times a week. We often hear a group of children giggling in the dining room in the middle of the night. There's an elderly woman I see walking down the hall when I'm doing a shift behind the bar."
During 2017, a woman claimed to have seen two ghosts in a photo she took of herself in the pub. This woman was called Charlotte Fellows, was twenty-seven years old, and took a selfie of herself in the toilet mirror. It's believed the two figures are the beekeeper and a priest who used to live in the building, but I personally cannot see anything in the photo. In an article published on the 19th of October 2017 by the Mirror, Charlotte said the following:
"It was eleven o'clock and freezing cold in the toilet and I was the only person there... I felt this urge to take a picture of myself for no reason at all... I had been there before and heard it was haunted but it was something I did not buy into... it was not until the next night I looked at my pictures while I was in bed and was absolutely terrified when I saw the outline of two ghostly figures. It really is freaky... friends I have shown it to say it is wierd and a bit scary but not all of them can see the figures until they have looked at it several times... now I've got over my fright I can't wait to go there again and look out for more spirits roaming the place."
Other spirits said to haunt the locaiton are a dog and a large ginger cat. Malcolm, the chairman of the group who helped save the location, has also provided a quote detailing his own thoughts on the hauntings of the building. He said the following: "I've never seen any ghosts but one or two members of our group say they've seen them. They mumble it to themselves at our meetings because they don't like to admit they believe in ghosts."
Summary Of Hauntings
1. Old lady - Room 11
2. Grey lady, possibly looking for baby
3. A young girl, age 12 (?)
4. A second young girl, age 13 (?)
5. Sir John Radclyffe, tall, 1600s attire
6. The Beekeeper, old woman
7. A man with a gauntlet for a bird of prey - cellar
8. Servant fire victims - attic
9. A priest
10. A large ginger cat
11. A dog
12. Objects move
13. Strange presences felt
14. The bed/room feels like its on fire - Room 11
15. Matthew, a child - Room 2
16. Jewellery goes missing - Room 11
17. Feel pushed down in bath - Room 11
18. Giggling
19. Doors open
20. Knives rearranged - kitchen
21. Orbs - fireplace
My Thoughts
This location honestly has me quite stumped for thoughts. It seems like the Old Hall's history is expansive, yet also vague and contradictory with what is reported amongst sources. Plus, when it comes to the hauntings, there are dribs and drabs of detail but nothing particularly solid. Having seen the selfie, I do not believe you can see any spirits in that photo. Due to the Mirror running that story before Halloween, I think the only reason it was reported was to sell a spooky story for a spooky time of year. If you disagree and can see the spirits, please let me know where they are in that photo.
So, after that critical paragraph, do I think the Old Hall is haunted? If you've read many other of these location articles, you should know my answer is a yes. The more interesting question is that of if I believe any of what has been reported is haunting the building. I suspect the Radclyffe family members could be haunting the property, as can anyone else who has lived there or had involvement with the location. I am admittedly quite wary of what is said to haunt this location though. This is because of the sources saying some of this information has come from psychics. I do believe people can be psychic, but I also think there are too many fraudulent psychics out there to be sure of which ones are legitimate.
This would definitely be an interesting place to investigate, but I also think work should properly go into promoting the true history of this location. For a building so significant, and for one that was saved by the local people, it really does surprise me how little there is to find out about it. Most of the history seemed modern and to do with how it was saved, not how it came to be and has changed over the years. If you're reading this and you know things not mentioned, or can point me to a place which has a detailed record of this location's history, then please feel free to contact me by email or by commenting on this article.
Thank You!
Thank you for reading this article! Due to how lacking this article seemed, I'm quite glad to have it written and out of the way. It's also an important point for me to mention here that the grey lady may have been brought with the panelling from the other hall instead of being awoken by the baby being found. It's a purely speculators point, but still worth mentioning. The next article will be published on Friday the 21st of February and will document a paranormal artifact. The following location article will be published on Monday the 24th of February and will document a location in Wiltshire, England.
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Sources I Have Used
9. Wye
13. CAMRA
14. What Pub
15. Mirror
16. Haunted Rooms
17. Academic
19. Geograph
20. Crewe Chronicle
21. Alchetron
22. Study Country
25. Liverpool Echo
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