Tickets are on sale for new ghost hunt workshops at a castle billed as the most haunted in the UK which is inviting people to learn how to contact the spirit world.
Chillingham Castle in Northumberland is famous for its spooky reputation and it is now preparing to host a new event - in addition to its popular ghost tours - which involves acquiring some spectre-hunting skills and then putting them to the test. Over the years, there have been frequent reports of paranormal incidents at the ancient fortress and it has even been named as the most haunted castle in the UK.
Those interested in seances, ouija boards and vigils are always keen to explore the creepy castle's dark past which includes a pretty gory history of attack. The 12th Century stronghold, whose royal visitors over the centuries have included kings Henry III; Edward I, James I, Charles I and Edward VIII, is said to have a number of ghostly residents.
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They include a frail figure longing for water - which apparently suggested a poisoning - in the Inner Pantry; ghosts in the courtyard; the voices of men in the Chapel and an undefined yet oppressive lurking atmosphere. Among the castle's rooms is a dungeon with a trapdoor under which lie the bones of a child and a torture chamber with such gruesome sights as a stretching rack, bed of nails, spiked chair, leg irons and an Iron Maiden.
Reports from scared visitors mention apparitions, whispering, photographed orbs and even being touched by a guiding hand - thankfully said to be 'friendly'. There is also a painting in the Still Room of a witch said to have cursed anyone who steals from Chillingham.
Confirmation of this seems to come from the display of letters from visitors which detail misfortune and accompany the return of pilfered items.
The regular ghost tours on offer invite after-dark visitors to wander the haunted areas of the castle and its grounds while longer ghost hunts - some of which run up until midnight - involve hands-on ghostly investigations too. Now the combination of a ghost hunt workshop followed by a ghost hunt itself is taking things one spooky step further.
This over-18s event will run from 7pm to 10pm on February 5, with more to follow and will start with a masterclass on how to use ghost-hunting equipment. An 'experienced ghost hunter' will teach people the different techniques which he uses to interact with the spirits that have remained in the castle.
Next will come a chance to put those techniques to use with the ghost hunt. The castle asks people 'are you brave enough?' to sign up and those who reckon they are can email enquiries@chillingham-castle.com or book here.
The combined ghost hunt workshop and ghost hunt costs £35 and the advice is to book early. For the castle's full programme, which now includes family ghost hunts - another new addition, and for further available dates see here.
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