The Falstaffs Experience –Ghost Tour and Vigil (first visit)

 December 22, 2007

We visited Stratford upon Avon in Warwickshire where Paul was invited to be a guest medium in the Falstaffs Experience .

The eventful evening began around 9:30 pm before the guests for the Falstaffs night vigil arrived with us getting a private tour of  Shrieves House.  The house itself is over 500 years old, dating from the early 15th century. It is named for William Shrieve and little is known about him except that he was an archer during the reign of Henry the VIII. The house is nestled in the heart of Stratford upon Avon surrounded by many old historical Tudor buildings.  The house is not open to the public, but Janet and her husband John the events host’s and the new owners of Shrieves House were very accommodating and not only gave us a tour, but allowed us to spend the night in one of the many rooms.

The dining room we rested in upon our arrival was alight with a warm fire in the hearth, in the center of the room was a large dining table that sat six people and a small sideboard next to a Christmas tree tastefully decorated. The room was small and cosy.  On our initial entry into this room both our “psychic senses” were tingling with contacts and memories of days of olde.  It was on the private tour that we had our first glimpse of the many spirits that dwelt within the ancient walls.  Paul’s first contacts amongst the many ghostly impressions was a lonely cavalier who walks the halls of the house and his footsteps are among those heard by the homes owners from time to time. In another room which in one of its many incarnations was a bedroom, his forlorn lover awaits his return from the civil war and watches for him.  Once when Falstaff Barn was a tavern, it was known to have many colourful and dark characters. Paul and I both had the opportunity of being aware of some of the ladies of the night that plied their trade on the premises. Including one, who passed us upon the stairs leading one of her “clients” to her room.

The cellar area of the house gave up some of its secrets to Paul when we went down into it.  Here he felt the distinct knowing that there were tunnels and other rooms behind the now bricked up wall on one side. In another area of the cellar he was aware of the terrifying sensation of a baby having been bricked up in the wall. Much of what Paul received was confirmed by Janet, the owner of the house. I myself had strong clairvoyant impressions throughout the nights experience and very often Paul would feel or see in his minds eye similar and at times identical information, which was again confirmed by Janet.

As you will see from the photos, we managed to get some orb activity in a few of the pictures. Unfortunately we were not able to take flash photos in the darkened barn because of the age of the house and the fact that the vigil is done mostly in the dark.

Some of the Spirits Paul connected with in the barn included a man known to be a serial killer who may have murdered people on the very property we stood upon. Murder victims, children, and tortured soldiers were among some of the many ghostly sensations that night.

 “The experience was exciting, spooky and incredible. I would love the opportunity to do more of this type of work.”  Paul said after it was finished.

 I have to admit my fear of darkened places did worry me before it began, but the experience for me was quite interesting because of the amount of historical and factual information Paul was able to come up with.  It was indeed a great experience and has fueled within us a desire to explore many more places where spirit and history have crossed and left an imprint.   

 

We hope to have more adventures of this kind and post photos and stories here. If you would like to have us take part in or hold vigils at your “historical haunted” premises feel free to contact us.   It would be helpful if you have a historical background of the premises so that you can confirm the information we receive.