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Friday 29th October

9.00 PM - 3 AM approx

Chester is one of England’s oldest cities, with a history dating back to Roman times. The Cities picturesque Stanley Palace is one of the most atmospheric and haunted buildings within the city walls.

Join us as we enter this haunted building and turn off the lights.

The ancient half-timbered, black-and-white, haunted mansion was built in 1591 and was once the town house of James Stanley, the 7th Earl of Derby. Following the Parliamentarian's resounding victory in the English Civil War, the outspoken Earl foolishly voiced his Royalist opinions once too often - openly supporting the exiled King Charles II. Predictably, the Earl was arrested in 1651, tried, and convicted of treason. Surrounded by Roundhead troopers, he was then kept under strict house arrest in Stanley Palace before being escorted to Bolton for execution, his ghost still wanders wearily through the ground floor rooms, dressed forever in his smartest court finery.

Strangest of all, however, is the fact that he appears as if in a photographic negative - with a dark face, black shirt, and white jacket. But quite why that is, no one can explain.

The front of Stanley Palace is still very neat and clean despite its age, it is hard to find the doorway, almost as though someone doesn’t want people to intrude. Many visitors feel that areas have an eerie atmosphere. Many say that while standing in the hallway, it feels as though someone is standing on the stairs watching them. Some believe that it may be the spirit of a young woman. She seems thoughtful, assessing whether these people are a threat to her home, but she will leave them in peace if they treat it with respect.

There is a large chimney recess in the corner of one room in Stanley Palace and many visitors say that it seems as though a man stands there, watching over his home.

There is a room leading off the hallway to the rear of Stanley Palace that has a completely different atmosphere. Here it feels intimidating, especially for women. It has been reported that an old religious order used to hold meetings in this room and that they participated in some very dark and unpleasant activities, even relating to witchcraft and demonic arts. There are stories of men dressed in hooded robes that use their energies to make the room appear dark and oppressive

Another ground floor room is set out with tables and chairs and is often hired out for conferences and meetings. Some say that this room feels as though it may have been used as a school in the past, and there are the spirits of at least two young children that move around watching visitors.

Upstairs in Stanley Palace there is a large room, almost like a gallery or place where guests may have been entertained. It is furnished with an antique sofa and chairs, a bureau, a sideboard and there are paintings on the walls and curtains at the windows. Witnesses say they've seen a woman seated at the piano in this room, and some have heard echoes of piano music drifting down the stairs even when they were alone in the house. This part of the house feels much lighter and more welcoming. People have reported hearing sounds like the shuffling of long skirts and footsteps hurrying up and down.

Stanley Palace is a fascinating historical building and the perfect haunted house.

Reported Paranormal Phenomena :

The Lady

Elizabeth, Sir Peter Warburton's daughter died in her Black Friers home in 1627.

James the 7th Earl of Derby campaigned for the Royalist cause, but was captured held in Chester Castle &was executed in Bolton by Cromwell's followers. It is said that he was betrayed by his trusted manservant, a sympathizer of Oliver Cromwell.

Over the years footsteps have been heard in the Gallery.

A girl with waist-length dark hair, wearing a pinafore dress, was frightened by an old man with a walking stick, who swore at children and gave chase waving his stick; perhaps he was a resident of the neighboring cottage, who disliked the children's chatter and giggles.

The Gentleman Officer & the Lady playing the Piano

In the second world war Stanley Palace was a place of recreation for the armed forces that were stationed in Chester. Upstairs by the staircase entrance to the Gallery, there have been reports of a figure of a gentleman, dressed in the uniform of a second world war army officer was in command of the entertainment. At the far end of the Gallery a grey haired lady was playing the piano and seamed to have a preference for Brahms.

Dogs at the Palace

A King Charles spaniel who often was brought into the building, on occasion would run into the Gallery as though happily greeting someone. Whilst a Jack Russell terrier, on numerous occasions, showed fear and distress at the far end of the gallery by a certain floorboard, frantically trying to dig it up. When this floorboard was lifted nothing was seen, although it is understood that another older part of the gallery had once stood on this spot.

This building has a wonderful history attached to it and will surely be a fantastic location for an overnight ghost hunt and vigil.

Join in with group séances, table tipping and more. As with all our events you will have the opportunity to break down into smaller groups and carry out your own investigation, with the help and guidance of our team.

Our ghost hunting equipment will all be made available for your use, and you will be shown how to use it effectively.

You are welcome to bring any ghost hunting equipment of your own, and don't forget your camera and / or camcorder.