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The legends and horrors of Slaybrook Hall date back thousands of years, making it one of Kent’s most disturbing haunted houses, writes RICK HALE
Britain’s history is one steeped in the blood of countless generations.
Great battles have been fought in this ancient land; conquerors have come and gone, and often the innocent paid the price with their lives.
Located along the southeast coast of England is the modest village of Saltwood in Kent. A city with old buildings and friendly neighbors
But here you will also find the stately Slaybrook Hall. A seemingly innocent country house with a dark history dating back thousands of years to a time when the Romans ruled the country and a bloody genocide gave the house its unique name.
History of Slaybrook Hall
The beautiful house we see today was built sometime in the 13th century and was used as the setting for the film adaptation of Noel Coward’s comedy masterpiece, Blithe Spirit.
But what happened in prehistoric times gave it its name and may be responsible for the ghostly manifestations seen there for centuries.
The stream turned red
Centuries before the foundation of Slaybrook Hall was laid, the land was home to a tribe of ancient Britons.
They led a relatively peaceful existence, tending their fields and farms, that is, until the arrival of the Romans.
When Caesar’s mighty armies arrived, the British fled into the surrounding forests to avoid being occupied by the invaders.
Though they left behind their homes and everything they loved, this ancient tribe came together, learned to fight and decided to make life as difficult as possible for the occupiers.
As Roman wagons and civilians walked along the road between modern Canterbury and Lympne, the villagers suddenly emerged from the trees and violently robbed the wagons.
Sounds a bit Robin Hoodesque, I know, and like the Sheriff of Nottingham in the beloved stories, the Roman commanders were less than enthusiastic.
Two legions were sent into the region with strict orders to hunt down and exterminate the villagers. What followed next was nothing short of genocide.
The soldiers took their job a little too seriously; every last villager, man, woman and child fell to the sword of the Roman legion. No one was spared.
As the villagers were massacred, the soldiers then burned every house and farm to the ground.
It is said that the slaughter was so great that the stream running past the village turned red with the blood of the villagers, both innocents and bandits.
This grisly and gruesome act resulted in the area and name of the house, Slaybrook.
The murder of Thomas a Becket
According to legend, the wholesale slaughter of the villagers was not the only treacherous act that took place in the grounds of Slaybrook Hall.
The knights who murdered Thomas a Becket, Bishop of Canterbury, are said to have hidden in Slaybrook after killing the great man.
The curse
But what about the ghosts that are said to haunt Slaybrook Hall? They must certainly have their origins in this brutal act. I assure you, they do.
According to legend, as the village chief lay dying, he placed a curse on the land, the Romans, and all future generations who would live on this blood-stained land.
The chief proclaimed that all future generations would be reminded of the heinous act of the restless souls of those he killed there over a thousand years ago.
According to eyewitnesses, the month of December is the best time to see these lost souls.
Strange lights are seen in the grounds and in the trees surrounding the house, believed to be the ghosts of the villagers.
People have noted that these lights seem to possess intelligence as they wander the grounds forever, experiencing the horrors that ended their lives so long ago.
A dark and dangerous figure
The image of a figure, dark as night, lurking in Slaybrook Hall and its gardens has been glimpsed.
The figure appears to step out of the shadows and confront people before disappearing. Leaving behind a feeling of fear.
It is believed that this figure is the spirit of the night who murdered Becket and must wander the halls to atone for his grave sin.
Sound of soldiers
Finally, the ghostly lights aren’t the only reminder of the centuries-old murders that gave Slaybrook Hall its gruesome name.
One has seen and heard the smoky image of marching Roman soldiers making their way towards Slaybrook Hall with swords drawn, a look of grim determination written on their stone faces.
These phantoms can only be the legions that carried out the genocide so long ago.
Over the years, Slaybrook Hall has been on the market a number of times, with ownership changing hands regularly. I can only speculate why.
Have you been to Slaybrook Hall? Tell us your experiences in the comments below!
