Strelley Hall, located in the historic village of Strelley just west of Nottingham, is a fascinating Grade II listed building that incorporates centuries of history.

More than just a Georgian country house, it is a repository of local legend and centuries of chilling folklore, which has given it a profound reputation as one of Nottinghamshire’s most haunted buildings.

Today, it blends its deep historical architecture with modern use as a business centre, hosting offices, conferences, and weddings.

I. Medieval Origins and Ancient History (c. 1200s – 17th Century)

The history of Strelley Hall begins around 1200 AD when the de Strelley family, who took their name from the village, first constructed a building on the site.

• Fortified Manor: The original structure was more akin to a fortified manor house or castle.

Evidence of this early period remains in the current hall, notably in the Castle Room and the medieval cellar beneath it.

The Castle Room incorporates the thick walls and barrel-vaulted ceiling of the original 13th-century tower base.

• The Strelley Family: This powerful, ancient line was associated with the parish for centuries, even having twelve generations "honoured with knighthood."

They were key figures in local coal mining, evidenced by the construction of the Wollaton Waggonway in 1603 (one of the earliest railways in the world) to carry coal from their pits.

Folklore and Discoveries

• The Moat and the Fire: Archaeological digs have confirmed the medieval structure was once surrounded by a moat.

  Folklore suggests a major fire swept through the manor in the 15th century (Tudor period), destroying the timber-framed Great Hall. The Strelley family reportedly filled in the moat afterward, burying the charred timbers and waste until its discovery in a 2006/07 excavation.

• The Monk's Way: Right next to the adjacent All Saints’ Church is a section of the Monk’s Way (or Monks’ Path), an ancient stone causeway.

  Legend claims monks laid a stone slab each time they used the path, though historians often link the stones to medieval trade or 18th-century coal transport routes.

II. Transition and Georgian Reconstruction (17th – 18th Century)

The Strelley family's long ownership ended in 1678 when financial difficulties, reputedly from gambling, forced the sale of the estate.

• New Owners: The manor was purchased by Ralph Edge, a wealthy Nottingham lawyer who served as Mayor of Nottingham three times.

• Building the Georgian Hall: The present-day structure is largely a Georgian country house, built between 1789 and 1792 for Thomas Webb Edge (a descendant of Ralph) by the architect Thomas Gardner of Uttoxeter.

This construction incorporated the remaining medieval elements into its new design.

• Creating a Park: Thomas Webb Edge significantly altered the landscape, knocking down the surrounding old village houses and rebuilding them half a mile away to create the open parkland setting seen today.

III. Later History and Modern Use

The Edge family retained ownership of Strelley Hall for nearly 300 years, from 1678 until the death of the last member, Miss Emily Mary Edge, in 1978.

• Military Use: From the late 1930s until 1980, the hall was occupied by the Crown for military use, initially for the RAF and then as the official residence for the General Officer Commanding the Eastern District.

• Modern Era: After remaining empty for four years, the hall was purchased in 1984 and later developed for commercial use, operating today as a thriving business centre.

👻 The Ghostly Legends of Strelley Hall

Strelley Hall is renowned as one of Nottinghamshire's most haunted buildings, with centuries of history contributing to numerous ghost stories and reports of intense paranormal activity.

I. The Medieval Dungeon and Cellars

The medieval parts of the Hall, particularly the extensive cellars and the dungeon below, are considered major hotspots for activity and are linked to dark legends.

• The Witches of the Dungeon: The medieval cellar contains a small, sunken room that served as a dungeon until the early 1900s. A chilling piece of folklore claims that in the 1600s, a group of women were captured and locked in this dungeon on accusations of witchcraft and black magic.

  It is said they placed a curse upon the family before they perished there from cold and starvation, contributing to the hall's oppressive energy.

• The Prisoners: Beyond the folklore, the dungeon was historically used to imprison criminals, including poachers, well into the 20th century, which contributes to its strong, sinister feel.

• Paranormal Activity: Visitors and investigators frequently report intense paranormal experiences in this area, including:

  • Sightings of dark shadows lurking in the narrow passages.

  • Reports of Poltergeist activity.

  • Hearing a clear, loud woman humming, sometimes followed by an Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) recording of a voice saying "get out."

  • Bricks allegedly being thrown by unseen hands.

II. The Gambler's Curse: Nicholas Strelley

The most prominent ghost is believed to be that of Nicholas Strelley, the last Strelley family owner.

• The Legend: Nicholas was reportedly a notorious gambler whose addiction led to financial ruin. Folklore suggests that his gambling came to a head in 1678 when he lost the Hall and the entire estate in a single game of cards to Ralph Edge.

  He supposedly vanished shortly after, never to be seen again.

• The Haunting: Nicholas is believed to haunt the hall, manifesting as a dark figure or a man dressed in black, especially near the surrounding fields and the entrance.

  He is also blamed for poltergeist activity and is said to take a particular interest in female visitors, sometimes causing male guests to feel uneasy or experience physical interaction.

III. The Castle Room and Other Entities

The oldest part of the building, the Castle Room (part of the 13th-century tower), and the Georgian Panelled Room have also been the sites of significant sightings.

• Royal Apparition: There have been unverified reports and psychic claims that the spirit of Queen Elizabeth I has been seen in the Castle Room and the cellars. During one investigation, an EVP reportedly captured a voice responding to a question with the name "Elizabeth."

• Servant Ghosts: Local legends suggest that the ghosts of servants still roam the halls, including a servant girl seen on the grounds.

• Other Phenomena: Guests frequently report experiencing unexplained noises throughout the building, drastic temperature changes (particularly in the Castle Room), and sightings of a white face or white misty apparitions.