Paranormal Investigations

Do you believe in the paranormal?

Ghost Hunting as a Hobby

Ghost hunting can be a surprisingly comforting hobby for those drawn to the paranormal. For some, it is about curiosity rather than fear- exploring old buildings, listening to quiet spaces, and learning their histories. It encourages patience, observation, and a sense of wonder, turning eerie places into opportunities for connection, storytelling, and shared experiences with others who are equally fascinated by what might exist beyond the everyday.

Where My Love of the Paranormal Began

For me, my fascination with the paranormal and all things spooky began in childhood. I was always drawn to the eerier side of television, choosing programmes like Funny Bones, Goosebumps, and The Demon Headmaster, along with films such as Casper, The Addams Family, and Ghostbusters. As a teenager, my parents bought a Sky box for my bedroom and subscribed to documentary channels, which allowed me to fully indulge my curiosity through programmes about aliens, Bigfoot, and the afterlife. Watching Most Haunted became a weekly ritual with my family, and I was even lucky enough to see Derek Acorah give a live reading at a local theatre. Although I am generally sceptical of psychics, it did feel as though he made some genuinely personal connections with members of the audience.

My search for the paranormal has so far taken me on 3 ghost hunts, below I will talk a little about each loaction and my personal experiences.

Woodchester Mansion

A Brief History

Located in the heart of the Cotswolds, this beautiful mansion is a true hidden gem.  Built in the mid-19th century, Woodchester Mansion was designed and constructed by the talented architect, Benjamin Bucknall. However, the mansion was never actually completed, and it remains unfinished to this day. Despite this, the mansion is still breathtaking in its beauty and grandeur.

The Investigation of Woodchester Mansion

Woodchester Mansion was the site of my first paranormal investigation many years ago. I participated in the investigation with my cousin Sarah and a group of approximately 30 individuals. The investigation was arranged through a specialist website and included the use of various pieces of equipment, as well as participation in seances. While we did observe some peculiar activity, such as the movement of dowsing rods in response to questions and the movement of a glass during a seance, I did not trust the other participants enough to attribute the events to paranormal activity. However, prior to the ghost hunt, we did have a strange encounter in the basement of the mansion during the daytime.

My Experience

After booking the ghost hunt, we took a tour of the mansion to learn about its history and familiarize ourselves with the layout during day light hours. While in the basement, I was in a small side room reading the informational displays when I suddenly heard a loud growl in my ear. I could feel the breath against my skin and, upon turning towards the source of the sound, noticed that my cousin Sarah was standing only a few feet away. Instinctively, I asked her to take a photo and, upon hearing the growl herself, she fled upstairs (she's braver these days).

Lincoln Lunatic Asylum

A Brief History

The Lawn was originally built in 1820 as a private residence for a wealthy merchant named Thomas Denman. The Lawn was converted into a lunatic asylum, and it remained in operation as such until the early 20th century. During its time as an asylum, The Lawn was known for its innovative approach to patient care. It was one of the first asylums to adopt the “moral treatment” model, which focused on providing a peaceful and supportive environment for patients rather than harsh punishments or restraints. I am unsure what the building is used for today as I investigated this site many moons ago.

The Investigation of Lincoln Lunatic Asylum

I discovered this location through a specialist website and conducted an investigation with my friend, Craig, who is a self-proclaimed skeptic. During the course of the investigation, we observed certain phenomena, such as the movement of a glass during a seance, however, I remained skeptical of the occurrence, as it was possible that the strangers involved were moving it unconsciously. Craig amused himself by making a heartbeat sound in his throat, which elicited excitement from the other participants, but had me rolling my eyes at him.

My Experience

Despite this, I did have a personal experience while in the old doctor’s office, which had been repurposed as a board/conference room. During a seance, I felt a sensation of someone rubbing my right thigh, followed by the stroke of hair on the right side of my head. I had no one seated to my right and no one sat opposite me. I refrained from informing the group of this experience and requested another participant to switch places with me to determine if they would experience something similar. However, before the seat change could occur, we heard the other half of the group scream from another location in the building. Upon investigation, we learned that during their seance, they had asked for a sign of a presence and at that moment, the lift door opened for them.

Gloucester Prison

A Brief History

Having been a resident of Gloucester, I’ve always been fascinated by the history of the city’s prison. Located in the heart of the city, built in 1791, it served as a place of incarceration for over two centuries, housing some of the most notorious criminals in British history. During the Victorian era, the prison underwent significant renovations and was expanded to accommodate the growing number of inmates. It was known for its harsh conditions and strict discipline, with prisoners subjected to hard labor and solitary confinement. The prison was eventually closed in 2013.

The Investigation of Gloucester Prison

In 2021, I organized an excursion to participate in a Most Haunted Experience night at Gloucester prison, accompanied by a small group of friends who were either believers or open to the paranormal. The evening revolved around attempts to establish communication with the supernatural, employing various pieces of equipment and listening for unusual sounds. As we witnessed an ouija board seance, we were startled by the sound of multiple cell doors slamming shut above us. Additionally, while exploring the prison’s kitchen, we observed peculiar electromagnetic field (EMF) readings and heard soft tapping noises.

My Experience

This was the first investigation where I didn’t feel tense. In my perspective, the location appeared at rest. With around 40 people present in the building, it felt sufficiently bustling to alleviate any eerie sensations. Personally, I didn’t encounter anything unusual. The prison had seemed much more unsettling when I had visited years ago during daylight hours when it was a museum. Back then, as my husband and I roamed around, we were essentially the only people in the entire complex.

Click the link to watch me recount these stories, along with others, as I share more of my personal paranormal experiences here.

https://www.themondaycorner.co.uk/videos/dLphQSgXKTQ/my-100-real-ghost-stories