Don't forget whats on your doorstep - part 3

Jo
Oct 29, 2019
3 min read

We have driven past this stunning building numerous of times and always said we shall go and one day we did and the beauty is awe inspiring.

Welcome to Samlesbury Hall.

This amazing half timbered black and white medieval house was first built in 1325 as a family home. Steeped in history, Samlesbury must have been an important place as evidence has been found that shows an annual payment to the crown in c1256 of twelve shillings where there is no mention of Blackburn and Preston. The estate also has links to Robert the Bruce and all the civil unrest that came with that era. For more information visit the Samlesbury Hall website .

On the last day of half term my boy asked to go back. The sun was shining and as it was close by I thought why not. It was a gorgeous sunny autumn day. Just off the A677/ Preston New Road and only 15 minutes away in the car it a nice family morning/afternoon out. As you enter the car park its one way and the "drive" takes you up along the main house. With the autumn colours about, the sight as you round the bend made me go WOW as a massive tree in all its autumn glory frames the house. Further round is the first of two car parks, as we were there just as it opened there was plenty of room but there is a larger car park further round of which there is no charge.

As it is Halloween week I must tell you that the hall has a scary history of ghosts and witches with the hall been visited by many TV programmes and magazines including Most Haunted. The website also claims "Samlesbury Hall is renowned as one of the most haunted locations in Britain. Resident spirits include the legendary White Lady, Dorothy Southworth who died of a broken heart and has since been seen on many occasions within the Hall and grounds. One particular spot in the Great Hall is the place where strange things regularly happen - a slap to the back of the head, uncomfortable feelings by wedding guests and a shadow passing have all been reported".

At the back end of the witch hysteria that took place around the late 1400's, 3 Samlesbury woman were accused of witchcraft by a priest named Christopher Southworth who, according the the website, "'did persuade, counsel, and advise' fourteen years old Grace Sowerbutts to accuse her grandmother Jennet Bierley, her aunt Ellen Bierley, and the recently widowed Jane Southworth, of witchcraft". There was no evidence of witchcraft against these 3 women but they still held captive until a desperate appeal convinced a judge of their innocence and they were set free.

Jane "the witch" telling the kids how to make spells

This half term we "met" the witch Jane Southworth at the hall who told us some funny tales of her life and made spells in the great hall. The hall regularly does event like this throughout the year.

There is a book available for purchase in the Samlesbury Hall Gift shop by local historian, Glen Clayton. It details the trial of the Samlesbury Witches.

In november Samlesbury's very own wickedly witty witch Janey Southworth will take you on a guided tour through the Hall and bring the past back to life – great fun for all the family, and completely free too!

After the spell making we had a walk around the hall and went for a waffle at Dotties Wafflery, which is highly recommended. And we then toured the grounds and even had a play in the playground which was the highlight of our last visit but was slightly disappointed this as half of it was cordoned off for the fear of falling branches.