Bensham Grove dates back to the early 1800s when the building was purchased by Joshua Watson, a quaker and cheesemonger. Since then, three generations of the Watson family have resided in this beautiful stately home. Elizabeth Watson was a leader in women's rights and education, as well as helping the poor of Gateshead in many ways. Many believe that Elizabeth is one of the leading females that is said to haunt here; unexplained drastic temperature changes are often witnessed around the main staircase, the sound of footsteps coming from within the locked off rooms on the 1st floor are just some of the occurrences that many believe to be Elizabeth. The attic area is entirely original. It has never been refurbished. Many guests have refused to go into this part of the house; Child’s laughter and giggling have been heard, along with the sound of children running across the old floorboards. Dark shadows have been seen peering around doorways, along with disembodied voices and strange groans. Join the team as we invite you to the rarely investigated Bensham Grove for a ghost hunt. Are you brave enough to hold a vigil in the notorious haunted Library?

In the early 1800s, Joshua Watson, a cheesemonger living over his shop in Newcastle upon Tyne, purchased Bensham Grove and three allotments on Gateshead’s Town Fields. He planned to use the house as a country cottage for his family.

Although not as polluted as it was to become in later years, the River Tyne was already showing signs of being the hive of industry and commerce of the future. Therefore, it is no surprise that Joshua was attracted to the golden cornfields, bluebell woods, and windmills of Bensham. It was near enough to continue his business on the quayside but rural and healthy for the children.

And so began the life-long involvement that three successive generations of the same family had with the house called Bensham Grove. All belonging to a well-respected Quaker family, Joshua, Joseph and Robert Spence Watson lived with their families almost continually at Bensham Grove until 1919 when Elizabeth died and bequeathed house. Each generation enlarged and improved the home resulting in an eclectic mix of Regency and Victorian features.

Elizabeth Spence Watson was a moving light in women's rights and education, as well as helping the poor of Gateshead in many ways. At home in Bensham Grove, Robert and Elizabeth became host to various visitors, including artists, craftsmen, educationalists, reformers, poets, and politicians. On the death of the Spence Watsons, Bensham Grove became an Educational Settlement doing much work during the Depression in the thirties. It is still a centre for Adult Education and a busy Community Centre.

In later years when the house was donated to the Bensham Community as a Centre of Learning, it became known as the Bensham Settlement. Although suffering some inevitable changes, the essence of the house remains. It is easy to picture the children playing in the garden, or visualise the formal dinners where distinguished guests of all walks of life sat down with the three ‘fine specimens of good North Country Englishmen, Quakers . . . with strong solid intellect . . ..’ (Quote from Prime Minister Gladstone).

The house is a Grade 2-listed building; the house still boasts many features such as stained-glass windows, fireplaces, tiles, and decorated ceilings. Many of these were fashionable and bear a strong Arts and Crafts theme. William Morris and some Pre-Raphaelite painters welcomed visitors, and their influence can still be felt in the rooms.

Bensham Grove still follows their principles in promoting and improving life in the Bensham Community.

Ghost hunting at Bensham Grove 

Access to the three floors of the main house, Including attic area, stable blocks and grounds

Exclusive access after dark for your ghost hunt

Working in small groups, using an array of different equipment and techniques

Spiritual Medium during the investigation

Complimentary Tea, Coffee,

Complimentary light snacks

Please remember to bring your torch as these are required at all our events. Please remember to wear suitable footwear as this location has a lot of stairs and very uneven floors.

This Location is not suitable for people with walking and mobility issues.

OVER 18's ONLY 

Please Note:

Before booking this ghost hunt please read the following as per our terms and conditions that are agreed at the point of sale.

All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable regardless of any circumstances.

When you make a booking with us it is entirely your responsibility to ensure that you are able to make the event date that you have booked, as Paranormal eye cannot offer a refund or transfer your places onto another event date if you or any of your party are unable to attend.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL TICKETS ARE NON REFUNDABLE OR TRANSFERABLE.

 THIS EVENT IS OVER 18'S ONLY. 

ANYBODY UNDER IN THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ATTEND.

#Ghost Hunts #Gateshead #Bensham Grove Ghost Hunts 

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