NEW FOR 2025
Alcester War Memorial Town Hall 5th April 2025
£25.00
Alcester War Memorial Town Hall Event 5th April 2025
20:00 – 01:00
Price: £25pp
Since the early 1900s, there have been many reports of paranormal activity at this Alcester War Memorial Town Hall, including some poltergeist activity. Dark shadows, temperature changes have also been experienced. Ghost Hunts at this old hall have been described as an intense experience. The building has had many uses, an old court, an old lockup to a hospital during WW1. There have been reports of soldiers dressed in period clothing looking out from the upper windows, items are said to move when staff members have left items in particular places. Loud, unexplained bangs have been heard and strange mists have been seen wandering across the lower floor. Some people have had the feeling that someone is standing behind them or beside them and nobody is there.
Alcester War Memorial Town Hall is located in Warwickshire. The hall was constructed in 1641, and has a great atmosphere with exposed beams and wooden floors. The Town Hall was originally an open market, and was eventually filled in to create a covered call. It was made home to the town ‘lock-up’, a door of that is still on display alongside the town stocks. Much of the upper part of the building hasn’t changed since 1641.
History of Alcester Town Hall (taken from the Alcester Town Hall website)
In 1618, the Lord of the Manor of Alcester, Sir Fulke Greville III, provided £300 for the building of a market hall. Before that, traders and customers gathered at a well and market cross that would likely occupy the same site.
Simon Whyte was appointed master mason. The limestone for the colonnade columns and the cornice carne from his quarry at Chipping Campden; the remainder was Arden Sandstone, probably from Little Alne.
Initially, the whole building was constructed in stone, but this was too expensive. The timber-framed upper floor, with its magnificent roof, was later built in 1641. Look for the date carved on one of the roof beams to the west side of the hall; it has recently been confirmed by tree-ring dating of the timbers.
The arches of the ground level were open, and all kinds of produce would have been traded using the space between the pillars, particularly those which needed shelter from the sun, like cheese or expensive goods such as silk, which had to be kept out of the rain.
Sir Fulke’s manorial court, the Court Leet, checked the produce, charged traders and fined them if goods were not up to scratch. Upstairs, boards display the names of High and Low Bailiffs of the manor from 1299 to the present day.
They also jailed offenders in the basement prison known as The Hole, which still exists today. Its massive oak door with iron bars is now displayed in the main ground-floor room. The cell was still used as the town lock-up until about 1850, when a new police station opened on Henley Street.
ln 1765, following a petition from townspeople, the Lord of the Manor Francis Greville, last Earl of Warwick, revoked all market tolls payable to him on condition that the people of Alcester kept the hall in good repair. In the mid-19th century, it housed the town’s fire engine. In 1870, the roof was modified into the “hammer-beam” form seen today, although a false ceiling concealed it for a time. By this time, the old market had ceased, so in 1873, the Marquess of Hertford (whose family had become Lords of the Manor in 1813) enclosed and converted the ground floor for use as the town’s magistrate’s court.
The town stocks were stored here and displayed on the ground floor. They are of unusual design with four iron wheels, ready to be pushed outside through the streets of Alcester when required. Also on the ground floor, in a box attached to the ceiling, is a splendid hand-coloured Ordnance Survey map of 1887 showing the ancient manor of Alcester and surrounding parishes. Please view with great care when on display.
During the Great War, the hall was used as a hospital, and in 1919, the town of Alcester raised £640 by public subscription to purchase the freehold of the hall from the 7th Marquess of Hertford. The Alcester War Memorial Town Hall was renamed in memory of those who had given their lives for their country. A trust was set up naming the High and Low Bailiff of the manor during their term of office. They are still elected annually by male members of the community who are residents, leaseholders or freeholders in the estate. The ground floor was intended to be an institute and reading room, but this never happened.
In 1938 the hall received a gift of the coat of arms of the 2nd Marquess of Hertford, which now hangs above the upstairs fireplace. He married the Honourable Isabella Anne Ingram Sheppard in 1776, and the plaque shows how both family names were combined heraldically. The false ceiling was removed in the same year, exposing the roof’s timbers. The present fireplace and main stairs, in period style, were installed in 1939.
During the Second World War, the people of Alcester and surrounding nearby parishes raised £139,000 to commission the corvette, HMS Monkshood. You will find a ship model and ensign in the upper room. During the 1950s, many improvements and repairs began, including a new oak floor upstairs. Significant restorations have been carried out on the outside walls.
In 1978 a charitable trust and management committee was established, and Mr J Adams was appointed as the first chairman, a post he held until 2006. During this period, an immense amount of work was undertaken to preserve and improve the hall, including significant alterations to the ground floor in 1985-6. In 1999 the committee welcomed the 9th Marquess of Hertford, who succeeded his father as Patron and Lord of the Manor.
Simon Whyte was appointed master mason. The limestone for the colonnade columns and the cornice carne from his quarry at Chipping Campden; the remainder was Arden Sandstone, probably from Little Alne.
Initially, the whole building was constructed in stone, but this was too expensive. The timber-framed upper floor, with its magnificent roof, was later built in 1641. Look for the date carved on one of the roof beams to the west side of the hall; it has recently been confirmed by tree-ring dating of the timbers.
The arches of the ground level were open, and all kinds of produce would have been traded using the space between the pillars, particularly those which needed shelter from the sun, like cheese or expensive goods such as silk, which had to be kept out of the rain.
Sir Fulke’s manorial court, the Court Leet, checked the produce, charged traders and fined them if goods were not up to scratch. Upstairs, boards display the names of High and Low Bailiffs of the manor from 1299 to the present day.
They also jailed offenders in the basement prison known as The Hole, which still exists today. Its massive oak door with iron bars is now displayed in the main ground-floor room. The cell was still used as the town lock-up until about 1850, when a new police station opened on Henley Street.
ln 1765, following a petition from townspeople, the Lord of the Manor Francis Greville, last Earl of Warwick, revoked all market tolls payable to him on condition that the people of Alcester kept the hall in good repair. In the mid-19th century, it housed the town’s fire engine. In 1870, the roof was modified into the “hammer-beam” form seen today, although a false ceiling concealed it for a time. By this time, the old market had ceased, so in 1873, the Marquess of Hertford (whose family had become Lords of the Manor in 1813) enclosed and converted the ground floor for use as the town’s magistrate’s court.
The town stocks were stored here and displayed on the ground floor. They are of unusual design with four iron wheels, ready to be pushed outside through the streets of Alcester when required. Also on the ground floor, in a box attached to the ceiling, is a splendid hand-coloured Ordnance Survey map of 1887 showing the ancient manor of Alcester and surrounding parishes. Please view with great care when on display.
During the Great War, the hall was used as a hospital, and in 1919, the town of Alcester raised £640 by public subscription to purchase the freehold of the hall from the 7th Marquess of Hertford. The Alcester War Memorial Town Hall was renamed in memory of those who had given their lives for their country. A trust was set up naming the High and Low Bailiff of the manor during their term of office. They are still elected annually by male members of the community who are residents, leaseholders or freeholders in the estate. The ground floor was intended to be an institute and reading room, but this never happened.
In 1938 the hall received a gift of the coat of arms of the 2nd Marquess of Hertford, which now hangs above the upstairs fireplace. He married the Honourable Isabella Anne Ingram Sheppard in 1776, and the plaque shows how both family names were combined heraldically. The false ceiling was removed in the same year, exposing the roof’s timbers. The present fireplace and main stairs, in period style, were installed in 1939.
During the Second World War, the people of Alcester and surrounding nearby parishes raised £139,000 to commission the corvette, HMS Monkshood. You will find a ship model and ensign in the upper room. During the 1950s, many improvements and repairs began, including a new oak floor upstairs. Significant restorations have been carried out on the outside walls.
In 1978 a charitable trust and management committee was established, and Mr J Adams was appointed as the first chairman, a post he held until 2006. During this period, an immense amount of work was undertaken to preserve and improve the hall, including significant alterations to the ground floor in 1985-6. In 1999 the committee welcomed the 9th Marquess of Hertford, who succeeded his father as Patron and Lord of the Manor.
28 in stock
Alcester War Memorial Town Hall Event 5th April 2025
20:00 – 01:00
Price: £25pp
Since the early 1900s, there have been many reports of paranormal activity at this Alcester War Memorial Town Hall, including some poltergeist activity. Dark shadows, temperature changes have also been experienced. Ghost Hunts at this old hall have been described as an intense experience. The building has had many uses, an old court, an old lockup to a hospital during WW1. There have been reports of soldiers dressed in period clothing looking out from the upper windows, items are said to move when staff members have left items in particular places. Loud, unexplained bangs have been heard and strange mists have been seen wandering across the lower floor. Some people have had the feeling that someone is standing behind them or beside them and nobody is there.
Alcester War Memorial Town Hall is located in Warwickshire. The hall was constructed in 1641, and has a great atmosphere with exposed beams and wooden floors. The Town Hall was originally an open market, and was eventually filled in to create a covered call. It was made home to the town ‘lock-up’, a door of that is still on display alongside the town stocks. Much of the upper part of the building hasn’t changed since 1641.
History of Alcester Town Hall (taken from the Alcester Town Hall website)
In 1618, the Lord of the Manor of Alcester, Sir Fulke Greville III, provided £300 for the building of a market hall. Before that, traders and customers gathered at a well and market cross that would likely occupy the same site.
Simon Whyte was appointed master mason. The limestone for the colonnade columns and the cornice carne from his quarry at Chipping Campden; the remainder was Arden Sandstone, probably from Little Alne.
Initially, the whole building was constructed in stone, but this was too expensive. The timber-framed upper floor, with its magnificent roof, was later built in 1641. Look for the date carved on one of the roof beams to the west side of the hall; it has recently been confirmed by tree-ring dating of the timbers.
The arches of the ground level were open, and all kinds of produce would have been traded using the space between the pillars, particularly those which needed shelter from the sun, like cheese or expensive goods such as silk, which had to be kept out of the rain.
Sir Fulke’s manorial court, the Court Leet, checked the produce, charged traders and fined them if goods were not up to scratch. Upstairs, boards display the names of High and Low Bailiffs of the manor from 1299 to the present day.
They also jailed offenders in the basement prison known as The Hole, which still exists today. Its massive oak door with iron bars is now displayed in the main ground-floor room. The cell was still used as the town lock-up until about 1850, when a new police station opened on Henley Street.
ln 1765, following a petition from townspeople, the Lord of the Manor Francis Greville, last Earl of Warwick, revoked all market tolls payable to him on condition that the people of Alcester kept the hall in good repair. In the mid-19th century, it housed the town’s fire engine. In 1870, the roof was modified into the “hammer-beam” form seen today, although a false ceiling concealed it for a time. By this time, the old market had ceased, so in 1873, the Marquess of Hertford (whose family had become Lords of the Manor in 1813) enclosed and converted the ground floor for use as the town’s magistrate’s court.
The town stocks were stored here and displayed on the ground floor. They are of unusual design with four iron wheels, ready to be pushed outside through the streets of Alcester when required. Also on the ground floor, in a box attached to the ceiling, is a splendid hand-coloured Ordnance Survey map of 1887 showing the ancient manor of Alcester and surrounding parishes. Please view with great care when on display.
During the Great War, the hall was used as a hospital, and in 1919, the town of Alcester raised £640 by public subscription to purchase the freehold of the hall from the 7th Marquess of Hertford. The Alcester War Memorial Town Hall was renamed in memory of those who had given their lives for their country. A trust was set up naming the High and Low Bailiff of the manor during their term of office. They are still elected annually by male members of the community who are residents, leaseholders or freeholders in the estate. The ground floor was intended to be an institute and reading room, but this never happened.
In 1938 the hall received a gift of the coat of arms of the 2nd Marquess of Hertford, which now hangs above the upstairs fireplace. He married the Honourable Isabella Anne Ingram Sheppard in 1776, and the plaque shows how both family names were combined heraldically. The false ceiling was removed in the same year, exposing the roof’s timbers. The present fireplace and main stairs, in period style, were installed in 1939.
During the Second World War, the people of Alcester and surrounding nearby parishes raised £139,000 to commission the corvette, HMS Monkshood. You will find a ship model and ensign in the upper room. During the 1950s, many improvements and repairs began, including a new oak floor upstairs. Significant restorations have been carried out on the outside walls.
In 1978 a charitable trust and management committee was established, and Mr J Adams was appointed as the first chairman, a post he held until 2006. During this period, an immense amount of work was undertaken to preserve and improve the hall, including significant alterations to the ground floor in 1985-6. In 1999 the committee welcomed the 9th Marquess of Hertford, who succeeded his father as Patron and Lord of the Manor.
Simon Whyte was appointed master mason. The limestone for the colonnade columns and the cornice carne from his quarry at Chipping Campden; the remainder was Arden Sandstone, probably from Little Alne.
Initially, the whole building was constructed in stone, but this was too expensive. The timber-framed upper floor, with its magnificent roof, was later built in 1641. Look for the date carved on one of the roof beams to the west side of the hall; it has recently been confirmed by tree-ring dating of the timbers.
The arches of the ground level were open, and all kinds of produce would have been traded using the space between the pillars, particularly those which needed shelter from the sun, like cheese or expensive goods such as silk, which had to be kept out of the rain.
Sir Fulke’s manorial court, the Court Leet, checked the produce, charged traders and fined them if goods were not up to scratch. Upstairs, boards display the names of High and Low Bailiffs of the manor from 1299 to the present day.
They also jailed offenders in the basement prison known as The Hole, which still exists today. Its massive oak door with iron bars is now displayed in the main ground-floor room. The cell was still used as the town lock-up until about 1850, when a new police station opened on Henley Street.
ln 1765, following a petition from townspeople, the Lord of the Manor Francis Greville, last Earl of Warwick, revoked all market tolls payable to him on condition that the people of Alcester kept the hall in good repair. In the mid-19th century, it housed the town’s fire engine. In 1870, the roof was modified into the “hammer-beam” form seen today, although a false ceiling concealed it for a time. By this time, the old market had ceased, so in 1873, the Marquess of Hertford (whose family had become Lords of the Manor in 1813) enclosed and converted the ground floor for use as the town’s magistrate’s court.
The town stocks were stored here and displayed on the ground floor. They are of unusual design with four iron wheels, ready to be pushed outside through the streets of Alcester when required. Also on the ground floor, in a box attached to the ceiling, is a splendid hand-coloured Ordnance Survey map of 1887 showing the ancient manor of Alcester and surrounding parishes. Please view with great care when on display.
During the Great War, the hall was used as a hospital, and in 1919, the town of Alcester raised £640 by public subscription to purchase the freehold of the hall from the 7th Marquess of Hertford. The Alcester War Memorial Town Hall was renamed in memory of those who had given their lives for their country. A trust was set up naming the High and Low Bailiff of the manor during their term of office. They are still elected annually by male members of the community who are residents, leaseholders or freeholders in the estate. The ground floor was intended to be an institute and reading room, but this never happened.
In 1938 the hall received a gift of the coat of arms of the 2nd Marquess of Hertford, which now hangs above the upstairs fireplace. He married the Honourable Isabella Anne Ingram Sheppard in 1776, and the plaque shows how both family names were combined heraldically. The false ceiling was removed in the same year, exposing the roof’s timbers. The present fireplace and main stairs, in period style, were installed in 1939.
During the Second World War, the people of Alcester and surrounding nearby parishes raised £139,000 to commission the corvette, HMS Monkshood. You will find a ship model and ensign in the upper room. During the 1950s, many improvements and repairs began, including a new oak floor upstairs. Significant restorations have been carried out on the outside walls.
In 1978 a charitable trust and management committee was established, and Mr J Adams was appointed as the first chairman, a post he held until 2006. During this period, an immense amount of work was undertaken to preserve and improve the hall, including significant alterations to the ground floor in 1985-6. In 1999 the committee welcomed the 9th Marquess of Hertford, who succeeded his father as Patron and Lord of the Manor.
In 1618 the Lord of the Manor of Alcester, Sir Fulke Greville III, provided the sum of £300 for the building of a market hall. Prior to that traders and customers would have gathered at a well and market cross which are likely to have occupied the same site.
Simon Whyte was appointed master mason. The limestone for the columns of the colonnade and the cornice carne from his own quarry at Chipping Campden; the remainder of the stone was Arden Sandstone, probably from Little Alne.
Originally the whole building was to have been constructed in stone but this was found to be too expensive. The timber-framed upper floor, with its magnificent roof, was constructed at the later date of 1641. Look for the date carved on one of the roof beams to the west side of the hall; it has recently been confirmed by tree-ring dating of the timbers.
The arches of the ground level were open, and all kinds of produce would have been traded using the space between the pillars, particularly those which needed shelter from the sun like cheese, or expensive goods such as silk which had to be kept out of the rain.
Sir Fulke’s manorial court, the Court Leet, checked the produce, charged traders and fined them if goods were not up to scratch. Upstairs, boards display the names of High and Low Bailiffs of the manor from 1299 to the present day.
They also jailed offenders in the basement prison known as The Hole, which still exists today. Its massive oak door with iron bars is now on display in the main ground floor room. The cell was still in use as the town lock-up until about 1850 when a new police station opened in Henley Street.
ln 1765, following a petition from townspeople, the Lord of the Manor Francis Greville, lst Earl of Warwick, revoked all market tolls payable to him on condition that the people of Alcester kept the hall in good repair. In the mid-19th century it housed the town’s fire engine. In 1870 the roof was modified into the “hammerbeam” form seen today, although for a time it was concealed by a false ceiling. By this time the old market had ceased, so in 1873 the Marquess of Hertford (whose family had become Lords of the Manor in 1813) enclosed and converted the ground floor for use as the town’s magistrate’s court.
The town stocks were stored here and are on display on the ground floor. They are of unusual design with four iron wheels, ready to be pushed outside through the streets of Alcester when required. Also on the ground floor, in a box attached to the ceiling, is a splendid hand-coloured Ordnance Survey map of 1887 showing the ancient manor of Alcester and surrounding parishes. Please view with great care when on display.
During the Great War the hall was used as a hospital and in 1919 the town of Alcester raised £640 by public subscription to purchase the freehold of the hall from the 7th Marquess of Hertford. It was renamed The Alcester War Memorial Town Hall in memory of those who had given their lives for their country. A trust was set up naming the High and Low Bailiff of the manor during their term of office. They are still elected annually by male members of the community who are residents, leaseholders or freeholders in the manor. The ground floor was intended to be an institute and reading room, but this never happened.
In 1938 the hall received a gift of the coat of arms of the 2nd Marquess of Hertford, which now hangs above the upstairs fireplace. He married the Honourable Isabella Anne Ingram Sheppard in 1776 and the plaque shows how both family names were combined heraldically. In the same year, the false ceiling was removed exposing the timbers of the roof. The present fireplace and main stairs, in period style, were installed in 1939.
During the Second World War, the people of Alcester and surrounding nearby parishes raised £139,000 to commission the corvette, HMS Monkshood. You will find a model of the ship and ensign in the upper room. During the 1950s, a long series of improvements and repairs began, including a new oak floor upstairs. Major restorations have been carried out on the outside walls.
In 1978 a charitable trust and management committee was established and Mr. J Adams was appointed as the first chairman, a post he held until 2006. During this period an immense amount of work has been undertaken to preserve and improve the hall, including major alterations to the ground floor in 1985-6. In 1999 the committee welcomed the 9th Marquess of Hertford who succeeded his father as Patron and Lord of the Manor.
Simon Whyte was appointed master mason. The limestone for the columns of the colonnade and the cornice carne from his own quarry at Chipping Campden; the remainder of the stone was Arden Sandstone, probably from Little Alne.
Originally the whole building was to have been constructed in stone but this was found to be too expensive. The timber-framed upper floor, with its magnificent roof, was constructed at the later date of 1641. Look for the date carved on one of the roof beams to the west side of the hall; it has recently been confirmed by tree-ring dating of the timbers.
The arches of the ground level were open, and all kinds of produce would have been traded using the space between the pillars, particularly those which needed shelter from the sun like cheese, or expensive goods such as silk which had to be kept out of the rain.
Sir Fulke’s manorial court, the Court Leet, checked the produce, charged traders and fined them if goods were not up to scratch. Upstairs, boards display the names of High and Low Bailiffs of the manor from 1299 to the present day.
They also jailed offenders in the basement prison known as The Hole, which still exists today. Its massive oak door with iron bars is now on display in the main ground floor room. The cell was still in use as the town lock-up until about 1850 when a new police station opened in Henley Street.
ln 1765, following a petition from townspeople, the Lord of the Manor Francis Greville, lst Earl of Warwick, revoked all market tolls payable to him on condition that the people of Alcester kept the hall in good repair. In the mid-19th century it housed the town’s fire engine. In 1870 the roof was modified into the “hammerbeam” form seen today, although for a time it was concealed by a false ceiling. By this time the old market had ceased, so in 1873 the Marquess of Hertford (whose family had become Lords of the Manor in 1813) enclosed and converted the ground floor for use as the town’s magistrate’s court.
The town stocks were stored here and are on display on the ground floor. They are of unusual design with four iron wheels, ready to be pushed outside through the streets of Alcester when required. Also on the ground floor, in a box attached to the ceiling, is a splendid hand-coloured Ordnance Survey map of 1887 showing the ancient manor of Alcester and surrounding parishes. Please view with great care when on display.
During the Great War the hall was used as a hospital and in 1919 the town of Alcester raised £640 by public subscription to purchase the freehold of the hall from the 7th Marquess of Hertford. It was renamed The Alcester War Memorial Town Hall in memory of those who had given their lives for their country. A trust was set up naming the High and Low Bailiff of the manor during their term of office. They are still elected annually by male members of the community who are residents, leaseholders or freeholders in the manor. The ground floor was intended to be an institute and reading room, but this never happened.
In 1938 the hall received a gift of the coat of arms of the 2nd Marquess of Hertford, which now hangs above the upstairs fireplace. He married the Honourable Isabella Anne Ingram Sheppard in 1776 and the plaque shows how both family names were combined heraldically. In the same year, the false ceiling was removed exposing the timbers of the roof. The present fireplace and main stairs, in period style, were installed in 1939.
During the Second World War, the people of Alcester and surrounding nearby parishes raised £139,000 to commission the corvette, HMS Monkshood. You will find a model of the ship and ensign in the upper room. During the 1950s, a long series of improvements and repairs began, including a new oak floor upstairs. Major restorations have been carried out on the outside walls.
In 1978 a charitable trust and management committee was established and Mr. J Adams was appointed as the first chairman, a post he held until 2006. During this period an immense amount of work has been undertaken to preserve and improve the hall, including major alterations to the ground floor in 1985-6. In 1999 the committee welcomed the 9th Marquess of Hertford who succeeded his father as Patron and Lord of the Manor.
Parking: No onsite parking
There is roadside parking around the Town Hall but it can get very congested, but there is very good free parking behind the High Street within 5 minutes walking distance of the hall.
There is roadside parking around the Town Hall but it can get very congested, but there is very good free parking behind the High Street within 5 minutes walking distance of the hall.
Toilets: on site toilets
What your night will include:
Working alongside the team you will split in to small groups to work through the building in group sessions using both tradition and scientific methods of investigation such as table tipping, ouija boards, evp sessions with the intention of interacting with the spirits that reputedly haunt the building.
Hot drinks, bottled water, biscuits and snacks provided.
There are toilets on site
Strictly No Alcohol or drugs
Sorry no under 18’s or pregnant women allowed
No smoking or Vaping within the building, a designated site will be highlighted to those that require it
Please wear warm clothing and sensible footwear and bring your own torch
Disabled access: There is a stairlift to the upper floor. Sorry access for wheelchair users is only to lower floor.
This is NOT a sleepover event therefore you will be required to stay awake for the duration
All of our bookings are bound by our Terms and Conditions. These are on our page under Notes, but should you require a copy please email us at enquiries@cof-paranormal.co.uk
Related products
£40.00
NEW FOR 2025
£35.00
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
£47.00
£22.00
NEW FOR 2025
£25.00
NEW FOR 2025
£40.00
SOLD OUT
Out of stock