Samlesbury Hall, located near Preston in Lancashire, England, is a historic house dating back to 1325. Originally built for the Southworth family, the hall served as their residence for centuries. The Southworths were staunch Catholics who faced persecution during the Reformation, leading to secret masses held in the hall’s priest hole.

The most famous ghost story associated with Samlesbury Hall involves Dorothy Southworth, known as the White Lady. According to legend, Dorothy fell in love with a young man from the Protestant de Hoghton family. Her brothers, disapproving of the match, murdered her lover. Devastated, Dorothy was sent to a convent in France, where she later died. Her spirit is said to roam the hall, particularly near the main staircase.

Another reported apparition is that of a priest, believed to be Father Southworth, who was executed at Lancaster in 1654 for his Catholic practices. Visitors have claimed to see his ghostly figure in various parts of the building.

The hall’s history also includes a tragic tale of three children who supposedly died in a fire. Their spirits are said to be heard playing and giggling in the halls.

Numerous paranormal experiences have been reported at Samlesbury Hall over the years. These include unexplained footsteps, doors opening and closing on their own, and sudden temperature drops. Some visitors have reported feeling an unseen presence or experiencing a sense of unease in certain rooms.

The building’s long and tumultuous history, combined with its well-preserved Tudor architecture, has made it a focal point for ghost stories and paranormal investigations in the Lancashire area.