Towneley Hall Ghosts

Burnley, Lancashire 1200

“His chants echo in the chapel, and a cowled figure kneels—visitors smell candle wax.” Deadlive

Home to the Towneley family since 1200 (wow, old), Towneley Hall is a grade I listed building that now houses a gallery and museum. The Towneley family grew their riches through owning extensive estates in and around Lancashire and the West Yorkshire, but in 1878 the male line died out, leaving only Towneley ladies. In 1901 Lady O'Hagan, one of the Towneley daughters, sold the house together with 62 acres of land to Burnley Corporation for a whopping £17,600.

There is your whistlestop history of the impressive Towneley Hall that sits proud in the centre of Burnley. We’re here today to discuss the many different ghouls that are said to haunt Towneley Hall, and given it’s 1200s origins, there’s no surprise that mysterious beings haunt between these walls.

Supposedly, a priest is said to wander the corridors of the old hall. Rumoured to be a 1580s Jesuit, the man died of a heart attack whilst under pursuit. Religious chants can be heard echoing through the hall, a cowled figure has been spotted kneeling in the corners and visitors have reported the smell of candle wax in some of the rooms.

Mary Towneley, who passed away from fever in 1710, was a passionate poet. Visitors have reported hearing unfinished verses uttered in the hall, the sound of a pen scratching away can be heard in the old library and guests have heard anguished disembodied sighs.

The hall has also been rumoured to be haunted by a boggart! A spirit that appears on a seven year cycle, it first appeared prior to one of the resident’s deaths. Some have linked the boggart to Sir John Towneley, a man who took great delight in oppressing the poor of the district.

Have you spotted anything strange whilst visiting Towneley Hall?