Have You Seen the White Lady of Ordsall Hall?

Ordsall Hall: A Focal Point for Paranormal Investigations

It’s not uncommon for both amateur and more experienced paranormal investigators to gather at Ordsall Hall. Like many other places throughout the world, Ordsall Hall has become a hot spot of paranormal activity, drawing investigators to the historical landmark to hopefully uncover proof of the afterlife. Some rely strictly on the traditional Ouija board or tarot cards to make contact, while others bring in specialized electronic equipment to draw out and document the presence of ethereal beings.

So, what draws so many people here? While Ordsall Hall has played host to tragedies throughout history, no one is quite sure which events have played a part in leaving behind supernatural remnants. It may be true that each event, even the most insignificant among them, left spiritual remnants behind. On thing that is certain, however, is that few leave Ordsall Hall without having experienced the paranormal for themselves.

The White Lady Holds Court in Ordsall Hall

Many visitors to Ordsall Hall can remark upon the presence of the White Lady within the walls of this time-worn structure. She is seen throughout the building, but has most often been found lingering in the Star Chamber. The White Lady is dressed in a glowing white gown and is often seen holding out a candle as though in search of something. Or someone.

There are many theories as to who the White Lady might be and, with little proof to substantiate either theory, there’s no way to verify one over the other. However, it’s a common belief that the White lady is Margaret Radclyffe. Margaret passed away in 1599 by suicide. It’s said that she was so devastated by the death of her brother, Alexander, that she could no longer bear the thought of living without him. She flung herself from the balcony in the Star Chamber to end her agony.

Proof of a Haunting in Ordsall Hall?

Regardless of the identity of the spirits infesting Ordsall Hall, there’s little doubt that the building is haunted. Staff members, responsible for cleaning and maintaining the historical building, are among the first to report on the unexplained manifestations. They often recount observing unexplained mist in the Great Hall and Star Chamber. Some have seen the White Lady, while others report having seen a young girl playing in the halls.

There’s photographic proof as well. In several photos, a white light shaped like the capital letter “I” can be seen hovering near the bed. The first image was taken by a CCTV camera in November 2012, which was set up in the room for surveillance purposes. That following May, Dan Stribling took a photo of the bed on a visit to Ordsall Hall and his camera captured that same ghostly image.

Even though internet users have dismissed the images as a trick of the light or have found fault with the quality of the cameras used to take the pictures, Stribling believes this is proof of the Ordsall Hall hauntings.

“These shapes are something new. The fact that we’ve got photographic evidence of the same shape, three years apart is very exciting. We’re encouraging all our visitors to keep their eyes peeled to see it they can spot it again.”

Is Ordsall Hall really haunted? If you’re truly interested in the answer to that question, why not visit the site for yourself? Previously, the building was the focus of a £6.5 million restoration project. Today, it’s open to visitors as a historical landmark. Tourist information can be found here.