Tower of Winds, Shugborough Estate

A first time OVERNIGHT ghost hunt at one of the most exclusive and haunted locations in Britain

Even the name Shugborough Hall is chilling. The meaning derives from Shug a devil or evil spirit and and barrow refers to a burial mound. Perhaps this is why the estate boasts one of the oldest yew trees in England warding off evil spirits.

The story of Shugborough begins 300 years ago in 1693 when William Anson demolished the manor house and built a three-storied house, which forms the centre of the house today. One of the key figures in Shugborough’s history is Thomas Anson who was an alleged member of the notorious Hellfire Club. He commissioned a series of eight monuments to be built in the parkland, which still stand today.

During our exclusive ghost hunt of the Shugborough estate we will be utilising two key locations for our ghost vigils, the first is a building that inspired Tolkien and his writing of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The Tower of Winds
The Tower of Winds was completed in 1765 and was once used as a dairy (downstairs) and as a gambling den (upstairs). There are many theories why Thomas Anson built this structure especially since it originally depicted the serpent footed god Boreaus, he was a major winged figure in Greek mythology with two faces, one looking forward and one looking backwards.

Most of the monuments on the grounds of Shugborough are related to Athens, the famous builder and astronomer, Andronicus Cyrrhestes, designed the original Tower of Winds for Athens. It was created to be an elaborate water clock on the inside and a sundial on the outside, with a weather vane on the top. The nickname "Tower of the Winds" was derived from the personifications of the 8 winds carved on the 8 sides of the building.

For nearly three hundred years there have been rumours of paranormal activity and strange presences. The sightings of a crowd of shadows entering the main door and men’s voices heard from the upper parts of the building are not unusual. We have no doubt that the Tower of Winds is an incredibly haunted place.

The Chinese House and Shepherd’s Monument
The Chinese House was completed in 1747, making it the first garden building at Shugborough. It was thought to have been used as a summerhouse to look over the original island and canal, however due to severe flooding it was moved to its current position. Many visitors have remarked on its serene atmosphere and feminine energy. There is no surprise that psychics and mediums have sensed the energy of a Georgian female walking the grounds and even in the main house staff have heard the rustling of a silken dress.

Nearby is the The Shepherd's Monument which carries a relief that shows a woman watching three shepherds pointing to a tomb. On the tomb is depicted the Latin text "Et in arcadia ego" ("I am also in Arcadia") Below the relief is the mysterious inscription: D• O•U•O•S•V•A•V•V M•

Over the five years many researchers including the code breakers of Bletchley Park have tried to crack this alleged cipher text, could our psychic mediums or even you – find the key during our psychic experiments at the monument?

For our exclusive investigation you will be joined by a historian and clairvoyant medium for a special investigation into the hauntings of the estate. Full use of ghost hunting and psychic equipment will be available as well as access to the estate's most haunted buildings.

Please note: Over 18s only, please see our terms and conditions here.