Hockenhull Hall

A 1989 document relates how, after they had routed Charles' last army at Chester, parliamentary troopers scoured the countryside for cavaliers. In their search of Duddon Heath they came upon Hockenhull Hall deserted and stripped of all its valuables. It transpires that after burying the silver the family fled leaving only a handful of servants in the care of the housekeeper. The parliamentarians were furious at not finding the silver and the soldiers hacked the housekeeper's head off. There have been sightings of the ghost in or near this building, and there was a plaque at The Headless Woman inn recording that on many occasions the ghost of this murdered woman has been seen walking along an old bridle path between the Hall and the spot where it comes out on the Tarporley Road near the inn (which has now been demolished and replaced with housing).

Link: Cromwelliana