Gawsworth Hall. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

It has been speculated that Mary Fitton of Gawsworth Hall was none other than William Shakespeare’s mistress, and it has also been speculated that her grave is situated outside the back door of the farmhouse known as Big Fenton (see my other work), the house written about by Beatrice Tunstall in the novel “The Dark Lady”, and known in the book as Silverpit. There is in fact a burial mound outside the door of Big Fenton, and the area is thought to be haunted by a Grey Lady.

However getting back to Gawsworth Hall, Mary’s ghost is said to haunt the hall as well as having been seen in Gawsworth churchyard as well as having been seen walking down the road leading from the Harrington Arms public house, and last but not least there has been a sighting of her in Gawsworth Rectory. It sems she is getting more exercise now than when she was alive!

It has been said the smell of incense can on occasions be smelt in one of the bedrooms of the Hall underneath the Priests room, perhaps this is connected to the presence of Mary as evidence that her spirit is still with us!

The Harrington Arms pub and the road where Mary,s ghost is said to walk. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

Another view of the road between Gawsworth Hall and the Harrington Arms where Mary’s ghost has been spotted. Photo by Gary Tacagni.