Express & Star

Historic Haden Old Hall investigated by Most Haunted

An historic Black Country house notorious for paranormal activity has been investigated by Most Haunted as part of a new episode.

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Haden Old Hall in Cradley Heath, which dates back to the late 1600s, has played host to the popular ghost hunting team.

The episodes aired on Sunday and Monday night but are available on playback.

Council chiefs said Most Haunted’s visit provided gave a great opportunity to showcase the landmark building.

The property was originally built in the late 1600s as the home of a wealthy farmer but had lots of alterations over the years.

Haden Old Hall

Jane Hanney, museum services manager, said: “There are lots of ghost stories and strange goings on associated with Haden Old Hall, the most famous of which is the story of a young girl who falls in love with a monk from Halesowen Abbey.

“His superiors found out and he is said to have been bricked up with nothing but a small amount of food and one candle as punishment.”

The ghost-busting crew, which used to include TV medium Derek Acorah, visited the site earlier this year. Among its cast is television presenter Yvette Fielding.

Yvette Fielding in action

They were filmed investigating the house for paranormal activity in the pitch black, while the film crews rolled the cameras. Their findings were shown in a two-part episode, which was shown on Really TV on Sunday and Monday night.

Yvette highlighted how the history of the site goes back to the medieval era and there could be ‘lost souls’ left behind. She was struck by an object, which looked wooden, on the leg.

Yvette called out ‘did you do that?’ and ‘do you mean me and the rest of us harm?’ which was followed by banging, as if to answer her questions. The crew split up into groups and reported an eerie feeling. At one point the crew thought they heard a growl.

The Most Haunted crew investigating the property

Haden Old Hall is now in the hands of Sandwell Museum Service, run by Sandwell Council, and is part of the Haden Hill House Museum.

When it was taken over by Rowley Regis Council in the 1920s, it was in a poor state of repair and was virtually rebuilt in places. It also suffered heavy damages in a fire in the late 1970s and was rebuilt by apprentices in the early 1990s.

A council spokesman said: “Hopefully people will discover this amazing building and not be put off by the ghostly happenings and come and visit at Christmas when the hall will be beautifully decorated with real greenery.” The episodes are available on uktvplay.uktv.co.uk