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The History and Hauntings Of
The Creepy Cauldron!
Number 21 Henley Street ~ Warwickshire's most haunted museum and scare attraction .... where
things really do go "bump in the night!" ~ can be found at the end of Henley Street just by the official entrance to William Shakespeare's birthplace and
is more than just a little creepy... No wonder some people refer to us as "The Creepy
Cauldron!"
Do you have what it takes to wander through England's most haunted museum in the dark? Are you prepared to
deal with the ghostly presences that you will encounter? If so, then read on...... As you make your way through the Museum,
we ask that you please do not try to enter any doors that might be locked and always remain in the lighted passageways. Some
of our exhibits have a tendency to stay with you long after you have visited them -- and we don't want to be responsible for
any that might follow you home!
Without doubt one of the most haunted buildings in the country, the Museum is also
England's most unusual and most magical experience.
The three storey half timbered building has been part of the Stratford skyline for over 450 years and is literally steeped
in history. In fact as you drive into the town on the Birmingham Road you can see the impressive roofline and chimneystack
towering over the rooflines in front of you. Mentioned both by Harriet Beecher Stowe and Rupert Graves, the Creaky Cauldron
is now the only remaining section of the famous White Lion Inn that still stands. Without doubt the building will have seen
many local characters pass through its doors including one John Shakespeare celebrating the birth of his son William with
a flagon of ale!
This image from the early 1700's shows 19-21 Henley Street as part of the White Lion Inn. The facade is exactly the same
now as it was then - although timbers were added to improve the street frontage sometime in the early 1800's. Inside,
of course, you can still see parts of the original wattle and daub structure along with the original supporting beams dating
back to the early 1600's.
The oldest part of the current building is the exposed timber frame and wattle and daub walls that are visible
running through the centre of the building and it is believed that they date from sometimein the mid 1500's. However,
there is a record of a building on this site dating back to the early 1100's when Stratford was first established. In
fact the plot occupied by the White Lion Inn was, according to the Stratford Society, one of the earliest listed in the town.
Irrespective of belief - the Inn appears as large and established in 1604.
When the town was first laid out it was on a grid pattern and the exception to the grid layout was the inclusion
of the ancient road that became known as Henley Street.
Interestingly the building itself was listed as being of special importance by the Stratford Society in
1977 when an application to knock it down was made by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Needless to say, the application
was rejected.
The layout of the current building is completely at odds with the original layout of the Inn; rooms that
are currently at the front were in fact at the back, and the ones at the back were in the middle. Confused? You will be!
The plan below clearly indicates that the main entrance was on the Birmingham and Penton Road as it was then known, but shows
the building that is the current Creaky Cauldron on Henley Street (indicated).
The massive chimney stack that still runs through the centre of the building is clearly visible on the floorplan.
the only remaining part of the Inn is indicated by the numbers 40, 41 and 42 - now 19, 20 and 21 Henley Street.
In its heyday, the White Lion Inn was the largest coaching inn in Europe stretching from Windsor Street all the way to
the site of William Shakespeare's birthplace, and from Henley Street to Guild Street; it was absolutely enormous!
The Inn would have seen all kinds of comings and goings; births, deaths and maybe even the odd marriage or two. It has
been a hotbed of secret meetings where plans with stranger than fiction plots would have been hatched and perhaps even executed.
Known to have links to several Secret Societies and even royalty; this is a building with more than a secret or two to
tell. Is this why the Inn has so much paranormal activity? You'll just have to come and visit us to find out....
Although many buildings in Stratford try and stake a claim on a Shakespearean connection, Number 21 Henley Street can
do so with more authority than most. We have no need to make assumptions or spurious claims as historical fact far outweighs
myths and legend.
William Shakespeare was born just yards from the building and was baptised on 26 April 1564. His father was a glovemaker
and wool merchant and his mother, Mary Arden, the daughter of a well-to-do local landowner. 1564 was also the
year that the plague came to Stratford and parts of the building resonate to this day with spirits of those that died from
this terrible disease.
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| This 1759 map of Stratford clearly shows the White Lion Inn in Henley Street |
By the early 1700's The
White Lion Inn was known as the famous White Lion Inn and was the largest coaching inn in Europe
and would have been the heart of most civic actvities. In fact the map above drawn in 1759 clearly indicates the White
Lion Inn in Henley Street and implies that it was a building of note even then.
Its central timber frame construction is typical of the Tudor period in history and the
building is as solid today as it was when first built. The Tudor method of building was effectively prefabrication - and the
original roman numerals are still visible on some of the beams telling the builders in which order to fit them. In fact the
beams that are exposed on the ground floor are probably some of the oldest still in their original position in Stratford.
A lot of buildings claiming authenticity have been substantially "remodelled" or even completely reconstructed (one
even had an extra floor added at the beginning of the twentieth century that was designed to look like it had always been
there!).
Originally
the gaps between the timbers that make the frame of the building would have been filled with wattle and daub (an example of
which is displayed on the front of the birthplace) - but over the centuries, much of the wattle and daub has been replaced
with brick and lime plaster.
The English Reformation began as just another chapter in the long running dispute
between Henry VIII and the Catholic Church and their claim for jurisdiction over the lives of the English people. The eventual
split from Rome led to the English Monarch being named head of the Church of England.
During this period of history, it became illegal to practice Catholicism and religious
practices had to be done in secret often in specially constructed hidden rooms "Priest-Holes". One such can be seen
at the top of the stairs in the Museum where a small room was built behind a linen cupbaord (this area now houses the Enchanted
Forest exhibit). Eventually this conflict led to the Civil War.
Between the years 1642 and 1651, England saw a series of armed conflicts and political
machhinations between Parliamnetarians and Royalists and the country was literally split down the middle often pitting brother
aganst brother. During this time, the White Lion Inn was essentially a Parliamentarian Stronghold with troops billetted here
before dusring and after the Battle of Edgehill.
In fact so strong is the Civil War link to the building's history that many visitors
state they have felt a very strong presence from that period in history...
1746 marks a turning point in the inn's history with it passing into the hands of John Payton. According
to a report prepared by the Stratford Society John Payton was "one of the few figures in the history of 18th century Stratford
characterised by any enterprise or flair!" 1747 saw the birth of his first, and only son, John Payton II. In 1762, after
his wife Mary had died he remarried, this time to a certain Anne (nee Ives), widow of a certain William Shakespeare!
In 1767, George Alexander Stevens, the famous comic actor came to stay at the White Lion and it was here,
during a dinner held in his honour, that the initial plans for the great jubilee of 1769 were first hatched. It was decided
that the actor David Garrick be approached to "front" the jubilee.
Garrick was then at the height of his popularity and was known to have a love of anything Shakespearian.
When David Garrick visited shortly thereafter to discuss the preliminaries - the Corporation of Stratford threw a Celebratory
Dinner in his honour at the White Lion and David Garrick stayed in a specially prepared suite of rooms.
Garrick was
officially asked to give a statue of William Shakespeare to fill a vacant niche on the town hall and in return he was to be
made an Honorary Burgess of the town. Garrick quickly took over the entire project and it went from being a relatively modest
affair to a celebration encompassing the whole town. His plans were grand indeed, and even included a request that all the
houses be whitewashed!
By 1780, the inns reputation was going from strength to strength. Several travellers have left accounts of their visits
here. John Byng, later Viscount Torrington, stayed here three times in 1781, 1785 and 1792. He enjoyed his visits so
much that he left numerous references to his stays in his correspondence, commenting in 1785 that he could order dinner "from
a bill of fare equal to that of the Piazza Coffee House".
In his novel "The Spiritual Quixote" (1790) the author Richard Graves records the Inn as being in "great
vogue". So great was the reputation of the White Lion that it even became frequented by royalty. In 1785, Francois and
Alexandre de la Rochefoucauld, the young sons of the Duc de Lioncourt (Grand Master of the Wardrobe to the ill fated French
Monarch Louis XVI) stayed here and in his journal, Francois records that the inn had good stabling and gardens.
In
1806, the Prince Regent (later George IV) was received in Stratford and stayed in apartments specially prepared for him here.
In
1818, John Payton Junior (who owned it at this stage) died and the inn was sold to Thomas Arkell - and in 1836, Arkell's son
James sold the inn once again, this time to one Thomas Warden.
In August 1842, Warden received an unsettling and yet exciting message on horseback. He was to receive a visitor in less
than two hours. The Dowager Queen Adelaide and her party were at Leamington and on their way to stay. Accommodation was required
immediately. All the stops were pulled out and a suite of rooms specially prepared.
In 1853, Harriet Beecher Stowe
describes the inn as follows: "We went to the White Lion and soon had a quiet parlour to ourselves, neatly carpeted with a
sofa drawn up to the cheerful fire, a good toned piano and in short everything cheerful and comfortable." By the mid
1850's however, the inn had closed - although it was reopened briefly in 1864 to accommodate visitors to Stratford for the
Tercentenary of Shakespeare's birth.
Since then it has been both a private residence and business premises for a variety of retailers and sometimes both at
the same time. It has more importantly been continually occupied since it was very first built with literally hundreds
of thousnds of people passing through its errie corridors and hallways.......
"The ultimate supernatural experience, easily
the best paranormal vigil in the country, and believe me, we've done them all! Do not miss this one."
Matt and Gwen, Greenhithe, Kent
SPOILER
ALERT***SPOILER ALERT***SPOILER ALERT Do not read this section if you are coming to a ghost
hunt at the Creaky Cauldron as it may influence your experience! The Creaky Cauldron has been investigated over the
years by many reputable mediums and paranormal investigators including Most Haunted's Jason Karl and Barry John,
Mike Smith and Sue Treanor from Spiritus, Haunted Happenings, Warwick Paranormal, Paranormal Tours, TVPG, OMI, Mystic Dimension
and Fright Nights' Ian Docherty.
If their mediums say it's haunted - who are we to disagree...
here are some of the more common experiences that people have within the building. SPOILER
ALERT***SPOILER ALERT***SPOILER ALERT
The Ground Floor and Gift Shop
A
smell of hops and malt are often smelt on the ground floor and mediums report a barman who was poisoned by John the Landlord.
He was having an affair with the landlord’s wife. Two investigators have gone to take photos when both cameras
at the same time drained of battery power.
The First Floor
This room would have been one of the parlours or private dining rooms for the inn. Using the Yes/No Board a young
female spirit was contacted but who wouldn’t give us her entire story. She
was very frightened of the strong male presence that was standing in the doorway. When
asked if she had been mistreated she wouldn’t answer. When asked if the
male spirit had been rough with her she said yes. The investigators felt that
her story was a very sad one and was one of abuse by members of the household
A man with a handlebar moustache, who died of old age, from the 16th or 17th century is often sighted in the chair
by the fireplace. A
very angry man has been picked up on by a number of people. He is sensed (seen?) behind a big wooden desk in an area by the fireplace. Other investigators also
point to the same area when his presence is felt. This room is one of the areas where group séances are performed. Investigators
often feel the presence of a Georgian lady wearing a lilac and white dress helping other spirits to come through
The Priest Hole, Staircase and Landings
Nearly every investigator that has visited us has been conscious of being watched on the staircase, either by a child
on the top floor or by an older darker spirit on the first floor. There is an uneasy feeling of walking through different time periods
as you cross from one half of the building to the other and servant women are seen scurrying across the landing and over the
staircase through a doorway that is no longer there.
The Nursery, The Toy Shoppe and The Victorian Spirit Cabinet
Using dowsing crystals, investigators have connected with the energy of two male children who died here. Investigators often find it hard to breathe in this room. Men
find it particularly uncomfortable and don’t like waiting in here. One
frequent visitor states that this room for him is by far the most uncomfortable in the building and he won’t be left
alone here. The
spirit of a young girl has been picked up by a number of people; however she seems shy and often won’t come into this
room. Investigators have tried to communicate with her, but she simply shakes
her head.
The Top Floor
For many people this is by far the most uncomfortable room in the building with at least two very
strong spirit presences here. In this room we often perform table tipping which leads to some
astonishing results. Investigators are able to connect with a young girl, who was in fear of her life. A
medium present at one investigation linked in and connected with a man who was threatening and abusive – violent tendencies
were picked up on by a number of investigators at this vigil.
Female investigators often feel sick with fear in this room and some
simply cannot stay in the room. Others feel overwhelming sadness and despair. Curiously, investigators tend to pick up on either the female energy or the male ~
and rarely both at the same time.
No one likes having their back to the door in this room.
The Stratford Ripper
And then of course, there's
the most famous haunting we have. With extensive research and supporting documentation this story would send shivers
down any spine!
As the only remaining part of the infamous White Lion Inn, the Creaky Cauldron is home to a very
scary story indeed. On the 9th of November in 1788 a particularly gruesome crime took place in one of the upstairs rooms,
and both the murderer and the victim are said to haunt the building along with the only witness to the crime. Investigators
regularly experience all three spirits and there is even photographic evidence of the murderer himself (shown above) taken
in one of the museum exhibits! Are you brave enough to encounter the spirit of the Stratford
Ripper or even perhaps become his latest victim...?
In addition to this image there are literally
hundreds of photographs showing orbs, strange smoky figures and strange streaks of light; pieces of video footage
showing light anomalies and orbs; and even incredible examples of evp - but as good as all of these are, each of them
might have an explanation according to sceptics. So, we challenge you to undertake an investigation for yourself and
see what you experience. Happy Hauntings!!
Obviously, we have left out most of the stories and most of the detail including the
tales of some of our more dominant and aggresive spirits and hauntings - but we hope we've whetted your appetite to come
and investigate the building for yourself at night on one of our Ghost Hunts....
With over 40 seperate and identified spirits and hauntings - we can promise you a fright-fully
good time!
And remember - these stories are only from half of the building - when we investigate
the whole building it's a different story and only for those with a strong constitution. It's not lightly that we say:
Are you brave enough?
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We present a unique mixture
of entertainment, education and fun for the entire family
at Stratford's most unique and magical visitor experience
- appealing to anyone
who wishes to seek the magic for themselves......
For enquiries or to book your tickets call
0844
824 8600
Due to changes in Consumer Law replacing the Fraudulent
Mediums Act 1951 we are obliged to state the following: "All services provided on ghost hunts,
vigils and other events are for entertainment purposes only." However, we ask you to judge for yourself... if you think you're brave enough! This website and all it's contents are © Seek The Magic Org Ltd 2008/2009/2010. Incorporated
in the UK No: 6596501 The trading styles: Most Haunted Museum; Seek The Magic;
Master of the Macabre; The Stratford Ripper and The Stratford Ripper Experience; Dark History Museum; Haunted Stratford; The
Wyrd Museum; The Wizards of Henley Street; Bombay Manor; Dr Thaddeus Bombay; Magic Spellbox Company; The Wiccan Institute;
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Festival and Life Magick are all © Seek The Magic Org Ltd 2008/2009/2010 and can only be used under licence and
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