Joanna Cowell from Cotgrave, has published a book titled Travels with the Reluctant Ghost Hunter, featuring a collection of her own experiences travelling around Nottingham and the UK visiting various mysterious or haunted locations.
There are not many grander entrances than the doorway to Holme Pierrepont Hall, although it feels strange ringing a doorbell.
This type of door surely demands the sort of large, heavy knocker whose sound would reverberate around the entire house.
And I was also very pleased and relieved to receive a friendly welcome from the owners, rather than being asked why I hadn’t used the servant’s entrance!
Apart from the Hall being requisitioned as a military training camp during both World Wars there was no other unusual history. There has never been any record of monks living at the Hall, although there is often thought to be the unmistakeable scent of incense.
Spirit activity uncovered by recent ghost hunts at the Hall include servants working and a woman seen in the Victorian room.
Pete and I were then given a tour of some of the rooms which included many examples of protection marks.
There were VV signs requesting protection from the Virgin Mary, circles and daisy wheels used to ensnare witches, and even taper burn marks.
What captured our attention the most was the carving of a lady wearing a bonnet.
Could this be a likeness of the ghost known as the White Lady, who has been seen to walk between the church and courtyard garden? Perhaps she still feels the energetic pull to remain here, although I know that sounds romantic.
But it’s certainly impossible not to fall in love with the warmth and beauty of Holme Pierrepont Hall.