Location: The "Creaky Cauldron"

Place: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire

Date: 22 May 2010

Time: 21:00 - 04:00

The "Creaky Cauldron", also known as 21 Henley Street is said to be one of the most haunted locations in Stratford-upon-Avon. This 3-storied building has been part of a rich heritge for over 450 years and is the only section left from the famous White Lion Inn who had many past visitors including that of John Shakespeare the father of Stratford and Englands famous poet, william.

Through the records it shows that there had been a building on this land around the year 1100 when the town was first founded, the current building being constructed around 1541. The White Lion Inn was a focal point of the townsfolk and through history has links with royalty and secret societies frequenting from time to time. By the 1700's the Inn was a famous place and from its sheer size was the largest Inn in Europe.

During the time of the English Reformation, King Henry VIII had made practising Catholicism illegal due to his fight over the church to have overall rule of the English people. Many catholics had to practice their faith in secret and the priests were made to hide in priest holes so as not to be caught by the authorities. There is such a priest hole in 21 Henley Street.

The Civil War came in 1642 and the town saw many conflicts between the Royalist and Parliamentarian forces, the White Lion at the time was a stronghold for the latter with the troops staying here before, during and after the Battle of Edgehill. Emotions would have been running to extreme levels during the soldiers time here and it is thought that these memories are now recorded into the fabric of the building.

The building continued to thrive through the 18th century, attracting many famous people to its reputation of being the place to be. In 1806 the Price Regent, later King George IV, arrived in Stratford and special apartments in the Inn were set up for him and his entourage. By 1836, Thomas Warden came into possesion of the Inn and in 1842 it is recorded that The Dowager Queen Adelaide came to stay. Since then it has been split into various businesses and family homes but never left unused, recording many thousands of people through its corridors and rooms.

There have been many paranormal investigations at the "Cauldron" over recent years with varying accounts of unexplained activity.

o Strange smells emmanating from the ground floor
o Batteries instantly draining for no apparent reason
o An elderly man seen in a chair in the 'Haunted chamber'
o Feelings of being watched around the priest hole
o Females feel a sense of dread and fear in the 'Opium Den' and have to leave

This event includes:

o Ghost Walk with Medium
o Demonstration and use of equipment
o Tea & Coffee
o Experienced Investigators
o Late night vigils
o Paranormal experiments

NB: There is no food on this event, however you're welcome to bring your own snacks