The Spirits of Houghton House in Ampthill, Bedford UK.

Photo credit: GWB UK.

We are very fortunate to have Houghton House right on our doorstep!

It is a beautiful ruined mansion house in the parish of Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire.

A Grade I listed building, positioned above the surrounding countryside. It is said that the house was the model for 'House Beautiful' in John Bunyan's 'The Pilgrim's Progress'.

It was built around 1615 for Mary Dowager, Countess of Pembroke.

Previous reports have been that the majority of the sightings here seem to involve shadowy figures watching over those who visit. They prefer to simply observe, but when they are spotted they will either dart out of sight or simply vanish into thin air. Other reports have described hearing a horse-drawn coach pulling up outside and there have also been sightings of a little girl standing in the doorway waving to people as they pass by!

One of the spirits that are also said to haunt the building could be the Dowager Countess of Pembroke, Ms Mary Herbert who built the house in the 1620s. She was a close personal friend of King James I, who granted her the land on which to build Houghton House. Sadly she died of smallpox shortly after the property was completed.

We went on a lovely sunny day back in August 2020 carrying some basic equipment, our SC6 Spirit Box (made by Simon Cox ITC), the K2 meter, our cameras and of course our senses!

Photo credit: GWB UK.

On arrival we explored every area, getting a feel for each space and did baseline readings with the K2 meter. In a room at the back of the house we were instantly drawn to a large window and took this photo. We stood there admiring the beautiful view.

Photo credit: GWB UK.

Below is the entrance to the small room where we did the spirit box session.

We believe that this area was where the back stairs was sited near the domestic wing.

We got some interesting sounds and voices, not all was audible.

Photo credit: GWB UK.

After the spirit session we went through to the back of the house to take photos before leaving.

Here is an unedited photo taken by team member Hattie. Shortly after this we left.

Photo credit: GWB UK.

After closer inspection we can see at least 4 very clear spirits (possibly a couple of others but not as obvious as the other four) and an animal at the window looking out. The very window we had been drawn to!

This photo was taken after we had done a spirit box session at the front of the house, it was almost like they had gathered to watch us. In the spirit box session we asked how many spirits were present, after a lady said twelve, very clearly, in a very deep male voice 'four' was said....