Guys Cliffe House Ghost Hunts

Guy's Cliffe has been occupied since the Saxon times and derives its name from the legendary Guy of Warwick. The guy is supposed to have retired to a hermitage on this site; this legend led to the founding of a chantry. The chantry was established in 1423 as the Chapel of St Mary Magdelene, and the rock-carved stables and storehouses remain. After Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, the site was passed on to private hands.
The ruined house, dating from 1751, was started by Samuel Greatheed, a West India merchant and Member of Parliament for Coventry from 1747 to 1761.
The estate also comprised a mill, stables, a kitchen garden, and land far from Blacklow Hill.
The house was used as a hospital during World War I and became a school for evacuated children in World War II. Guy's Cliffe estate was broken up and sold in 1947. In 1952, the mill became a pub and restaurant. Guy's Cliffe, steeped in history since Saxon times, derives its name from the fabled Guy of Warwick. According to legend, this heroic figure retired to a secluded hermitage on the site, inspiring the establishment of a chantry. Founded in 1423, the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalen still showcases remnants of its storied past, including beautifully carved rock stables and storerooms that whisper tales of the ages.

The current derelict house, which has stood since 1751, was commissioned by Samuel Greatheed, a prosperous West India merchant and a Member of Parliament for Coventry from 1747 to 1761. The estate was once a vibrant hub, featuring the house and a bustling mill, stately stables, a cultivated kitchen garden, and expansive land stretching toward the majestic Blacklow Hill.

During World War I, the house took on a new purpose, serving as a hospital to care for the wounded. During World War II, it transformed again, becoming a refuge for evacuated children, embodying resilience in times of turmoil. However, the Guy's Cliffe estate was dismantled and sold off in 1947, marking the end of an era.

By 1952, the mill found new life as a charming pub and restaurant named The Saxon Mill. The stables evolved into a lively riding school, while the kitchen garden blossomed into a thriving nursery. These establishments continue to thrive, preserving the essence of the estate. A toll house once stood proudly by the road leading to the Saxon Mill, but it was regrettably demolished in the mid-20th century.

The ambitious plans of the house's new owner to convert it into a luxurious hotel never came to fruition, and as time slipped by, the once-grand structure fell into disrepair. In 1955, Aldwyn Porter acquired the property, and the chapel was leased to the Freemasons, forging a lasting connection with the Masonic community. Sadly, by 1966, the roof had caved in, further sealing the building's fate.

In 1992, during the filming of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, disaster struck when a fire scene spiraled out of control, resulting in extensive damage and prompting an insurance claim. Today, English Heritage recognises the historical significance of the building by granting it grade II listed status, ensuring that the legacy of Guy's Cliffe endures amidst the echoes of its remarkable past.. It seriously damaged the building, leading to an insurance claim. English Heritage has given the building grade II listed status.