Shrewsbury Haunts
Over the years the good people of Shrewsbury have been awoken in the night by spooky goings on. Read on if you dare and discover some haunted locations around Shrewsbury.
THE DUN COW INN
We begin our journey at the Dun Cow Inn, located close to 11th Century Shrewsbury Abbey. In 1980 Mrs Hayes, wife of the then land-lord awoke suddenly one night. In the room was a hooded figure, wearing the habit of a monk, though dotted with bright colours. Though the sight of this phantom was chilling enough, the long dead monk was bent over the cot of the land-lady's infant daughter.
Disturbed, the phantom father disappeared, but later visited the child, now aged two, again. She awoke frightened and screaming at the mysterious man in her room. Mr Hayes, the land-lord also saw the apparition and guests have seen shadowy figures in the night disappearing though walls.
MAD MYTTON
The Mytton and Mermaid hotel in Atcham, near Shrewsbury is named after the infamous 'Mad Jack' Mytton.
After inheriting his fortune Mad Jack, devoted his life to dare devilry. This eccentric gentleman was thought to drink up to six bottles of port a day, have 2,000 dogs and over 60 finely costumed cats.
Following his death in a debtors prison, his funeral procession stopped at the Mytton, then a Coaching Inn on the way to Halston chapel.
It's believed Mad Jack may have hung around for a phantom pint or six.
THE BLOOD STAINED HAND
"Before heaven I am innocent, though my master's son swears me guilty. And as I perish an innocent man, may those who follow my murdered lord be cursed."
These words were spoken by the butler of Condover Hall near Shrewsbury as he met his unjust end. Condemned to death by the testimony of Lord Knyvetts son who had secretly stabbed his father to death and then blamed it on the butler.
Stumbling down the stairs of the basement, Knyvett reached out his bloodied hand leaving an imprint upon the wall that defied any attempts to wash it away. No matter how hard the work, it would simply reappear. Later the hand-print had to finally be chipped out of the brick.
As no heir to Condover Hall has prospered since the butlers unjust death, we can only assume that the butlers curse still affects Condover Hall.
THE DEVIL'S TALON
Outside Minsterley, in an old timber-framed house, a Christmas party was in full swing. The high-living host had poured his guests' after-dinner port when their conversation was interrupted by an evil whistling through the avenue of trees outside. Their silent questions gave way to concern, then blind terror as a piercing scream cut the air. One shouted "Fiends from Hell!" as the guests scrambled for the door. In the confusion, however, the host disappeared.
Only one man was brave enough to return to search the house. The sight which met him chilled his bones. The host lay dead under an upturned table. His face, his clothes and the upturned furniture were shredded by the rake of a giant claw... the Devil's Talon!
Shrewsbury Visitor Information Centre offer guided ghost tours during October and November. Please contact the Visitor Information Centre on 01743 281200 for more information.
Guided ghost tours can also be booked for groups of up to 20 people at a cost of approximately £40 per group, at times to suit. For bookings and further information contact Frances Knight, Tours Co-ordinator in the Visitor Information Admin Office. Telephone 01743 281228, or email visitorinfo@shrewsbury.gov.uk