Most Haunted

History
This once moated hall dates back 820 years. The name Ordsall appears in print in 1177 as 'Ordeshala'. There was probably a house at Ordsall by 1251 when William de Ferrers, Earl of Derby, exchanged the manor for land in Pendleton. The Radclyffe family have been connected with the hall for over 300 years, with the building first passing into their hands in 1335. In 1354, Sir John Radclyffe established his right to inherit the estate on his return from the French wars.

Some members of the family sat in Parliament as Knights of the Shire and Sir Alexander was High Sheriff of Lancashire on 4 occasions. Most were knighted for services in battle and took part in court life. Margaret Radclyffe became a favourite Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth. In 1599 Margaret Radclyffe reputedly died of a broken heart after being jilted at the altar. Grief stricken, she apparently climbed the stairs of the Great Hall and threw herself off. The

Radclyffes were Royalists and Catholics and according to local legend, (in 1605) Guy Fawkes hatched his plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament while staying at the hall. Such has this legend gained credibility that the street directly adjacent to the hall has been named 'Guy Fawkes Street'. This story, however, has neither been proved nor disproved. In 1875 the hall was let to Haworth's Mill for use as a Working Men's Club, while in 1959 it was sold to Salford Corp. by executors of Baron Egerton and underwent major restoration work.

Phenomena
In the Great Hall, the apparition of a White Lady has often been seen. This could possibly the ghost of heartbroken Margaret Radclyffe. Locals have seen this White Lady in the grounds at the front of the Hall, while a monk has also been seen here. There is the occasional smell of roses and lavender in the Great Hall, even when no-one is around and dragging sounds have been heard coming from area under the stairs of the Entrance Hall. In the Agecroft Gallery, Footsteps have been heard and one night the security camera (activated by movement sensors) kept pointing at the area where the portraits of the ladies are hanging. In the temporary exhibition area visitors have heard the sound of a door being opened and closed.

Investigation
Derek connects with the sad spirit of Margaret Radclyffe, who he feels starved herself to death. He also detects the spirit of a boy in the kitchen, who was killed there. During separate solo vigils, Karl and Stuart both record a number of strange noises and orbs surrounding them. A separate vigil picks up other light anomalies and an odd shadowy shape that moves in front of the camera. A table tipping experiment connects with the spirit of Margaret, who moves the table noticeably.