History
Charnock Old Hall, a Grade II listed building, has been called many names through the years including Blacklache Hall, The Old Hall and Leyland Hall. Its most famous occupants were the Charnocks from Cuerden in the 17th century, who had been living in the region for close on 100 years prior to their move to the Old Hall. When William Charnock died in 1598, his son Roger then aged 11 was left the estate. These Charnocks were a well-known Roman Catholic family, this being a period when the religion was frowned upon. The estate then passed to Robert Charnock, a Roman Catholic priest, who rebuilt the Hall in 1660 as denoted by the coat of arms above the door. Before he died in 1670, he conveyed his estate to a Grace Bold, the house and estate to be left in trust for the benefit of the priests and secular clergy. It being his wish that the Hall should one day become the residence of a Roman Catholic Bishop of Lancashire. After a trial at the Lancaster Assizes in 1686, it was declared that the property being so left was illegal. In 1688, the Exchequer declared the property forfeited to the King and following a petition of the parishioners, the house and lands were granted to the Vicars of Leyland. It then became a farmhouse, the hall eventually being converted to two individual properties.
Paranormal Activity
Current owners and past residents have witnessed priestly figures and nun-like transfigurations. Many have experienced strange activity including electrical appliances turning themselves on, as well as ghostly footsteps on the stairs. The bathroom door has also been known to close itself from the outside, trapping unsuspecting visitor inside, while the figure of a small boy in the upstairs bedroom window has been seen on occasions. The Middle Bedroom is reputedly the most active, with tales of ghostly monks sitting on the end of the bed in conversation.
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