.: G.P.S Future Investigations

The Creaky Cauldron
(Stratford-upon-Avon, England)


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Date: TBC in July 2008

Investigators:

Barri Ghai (Lead Investigator UK)
Ian Wilce (Lead Investigator GER)
Laura Chalmers (Investigator & Case Manager)
Simon Buckle (Investigator & Technical Manager)

History:

The Creaky Cauldron is just three doors from the entrance to the Shakespeare Centre and William Shakespeare's birthplace on Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, England.

The three storey half timbered building has been part of the Stratford skyline for over 450 years and is literally steeped in history. With low beams, sloping floors and all manner of unexplainable draughts and cold spots the building is one of the most eerie places to visit in England.

The building is of a 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.

The building itself dates from around 1541 when it first appears in the record books as a small coaching inn. By the early 1600's it was part of the White Lion Inn which by the early 1700's was known as the famous White Lion Inn.

The inn took part in the jubilee of 1796 and the hotel was part of the celebrations, several famous names of the era stayed and took part in the events.

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.

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 Regularly described as one of the most haunted buildings in the country and visited by paranormal investigators, parapsychology groups and ghost hunters alike the building continues to offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of the supernatural and the unknown.

The Hauntings:

It is rumoured to have over 40 separate and identified spirits, some dating back over a thousand years!

Spectral servant women are often seen scurrying across the landing and over the staircase and through a doorway that is no longer there.

Paranormal investigators often see a hazy shadow cross the landing and smell burning. It is believed that this originates in the 'Romanov Room'.

A grandfather clock can be heard ticking throughout the building but is most noticeable on the staircase and first floor landing. People have said that the staircase to the second floor is extremely narrow has a very claustrophobic feel about it.

One of the most terrifying experiences at the Creaky Cauldron has been experienced by nearly every investigator that has visited. Whilst walking down a dark narrow staircase they immediately become aware that they are being followed by something that is simply not there.

Most visitors have been conscious of being watched on the staircases, either by a child on the top floor or by an older darker spirit on the first floor. There is also said to be an uneasy feeling of walking through different time periods as you cross from one half of the building to the other