Mains Hall is an old Manor House that is steeped in history, myth and local legend. Reputedly it is circa 16th century but recent research has suggested that there has been a manor on this site since the medieval times and possibly earlier.
Brief History and Famous Family Connections
Mains Hall was a Catholic house and was owned by the staunchly Catholic family, the Heskeths (linked to the Heskeths of Rufford Old Hall) who lived here for more than 300 years. After the last of the Hesketh line faded, the Hall was left to the Fitzherbert - Brockhole family who were also in attendance here for many years, the most famous of which was Maria Fitzherbert who was married briefly to ‘Prinny’ - the then Prince of Wales, soon to be George IV. During certain periods in time, the Hall was left derelict, most notably in the 1920s and again following the Second World War in the late 1940s. During these times, locals shunned the Hall believing it to be haunted by the spectres of the past.
In more recent times, the Hall has been a farm, a family home, a bed and breakfast hostelry and in our time - a fine hotel, wedding venue and restaurant. During the last 15 or so years, under our ownership, both as a hotel and now as our home, countless guests, friends and relatives - including ourselves - have had 'spooky experiences' within these ancient walls. In a quest to understand who these wandering spirits may be, I have endeavoured to conduct further research into past owners’ experiences of any paranormal encounters here. Many have come forward to tell their tales, including previous owners from as far back as the 1930s and 1940s - and if you yourself have had any ghostly encounters whilst living or visiting here, I am most keen to hear your stories…I find the whole issue quite fascinating and at times…unexplainable!
Please contact me anytime on adele@mainshall.co.uk
Adele Yeomans [Proprietor]