A Brief History
The Building
A local hostelry owner, Charles Stokes, built the original structure that is now the main part of the Whately Hall Hotel in the mid-17th Century. It was originally called ‘The Three Tuns Inn’ and its licence is on record from 1677.
Charles Stokes, the then owner/operator of the Unicorn Inn (Still open today, known as the Unicorn Hotel), 20 Marketplace, Banbury, had ‘The Three Tuns Inn’ built to be the best hostelry in town. His dream came true with the inn becoming the centre of social life in Banbury during the 18th century. Hosting through this time, business meetings, assemblies, concerts, and balls, and of course, wedding receptions, with many types of these events still held here today.
At one time, the local post office was based out of the Three Tuns Inn, providing a much-needed service to townsfolk.
The Three Tuns Inn is now the only part of the modern hotel you see today; the original main building of the hotel runs from the steps down to the Horton bar, across the front lounge, to just past the reception desk and admin office. The section of the build just past the reception, including the corridor leading to the staircase to the 70s, was added in circa 1955, whilst the newer section containing rooms 70-142 was started in the late 60s, being completed in 1974 by the hostelry at the time, Mr Blanchard.
A copy of an original probate document containing many interesting facts can be seen in the Harness Room; the original of this document dates from 1722.
Lost Feature
The building used to include an underground/basement cocktail bar, which was a popular meeting point, and unfortunately was closed in the 1980s due to modern building regulations. The cellar that contained the bar was part of the underground tunnel system in Banbury at one stage; interestingly, there are voids under the cross and other important buildings all over Banbury.
The cellar bar, as it was known, is located under the front lounge with a staircase under the main stairs and one now covered over, just to the left of the main entrance. The staircase was surrounded by wrought iron railings, as was the stained glass tiled window, which looked up through the floor just in front of the reception desk. Both of these features are now located under the sofas and tables.
Famous Visits
It is a matter of record that on the 2nd of September 1687, King James II visited Banbury and stayed in an upstairs room in the hostelry. This room is the current bedroom of the suite now numbered 52, or the Father’s Dyneing Room. The separate sitting room of 52 was a secret meeting room back in 1687, but more on that later.
During the visit of the king, his royal entourage included ‘Papist’ priests; it was the priest’s role to ‘Touch for the King’s Evils.’
There are also known links with William Shakespeare and Benjamin Franklin. The hotel has a great connection to Jonathon Swift, the author of ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ published in 1726. Swift was staying here when writing the book and took the name of his hero from a tombstone, which stood on the north side of the church. The name Gulliver may still clearly be seen on a plaque in the churchyard in memory of the original, as time has taken its toll on this stone.
The Ghost
As mentioned before, room 52 has a sitting room. This room, during the 17th century, was a secret meeting place for a group of local catholic clergy.
The sitting room was served by a secret passage that started in a cupboard in the room, leading down to room 20.
This then led down to the Harness room, from there the escapee could make their way to the well entrance behind the building. This well leads down to a tunnel system via a small cast iron ladder set into its wall; the tunnel system is known to lead to a church, St Mary’s, or St John’s and the cross. It is also rumoured to go much further, perhaps as far out as Broughton Castle.
The priests and innkeeper had an alert system to announce the arrival of any persecutors of the catholic faith; a bell was rung by means of a pulley in the hall entrance. The priests would then head for the tunnels.
It is alleged that 4 days after the royal visit, on the 6th of September 1687, during a meeting, kept secret due to religious intolerance of the day, a cruel trick was played.
John Heuston, a member of staff of the Inn returning worse for wear from a lengthy session at the famous Cattle Mart, pulled the emergency cord. This prank set the priests into action, but the combination of narrow space, darkness and fear caused one priest to suffer a terror attack. This priest, Father Bernard, literally was so scared his heart stopped, ending up dead at the base of the stairs.
It is believed that Father Bernard took to walking the passageways for the last 300 years in search of the prankster. It is fateful that Heuston, in turn, died a violent death by stabbing. This is thought to have occurred when co-workers and patrons of the Inn found out about the awful prank gone wrong.
The secret staircase within the building was blocked at each level over 100 years ago. The tunnel system under the town has suffered collapses at certain points over the years, with only two known entrances still uncovered: The well in the garden and under the church.
Late in the year 1913, a guest by the name of Michael Murray and his wife stayed in room 52. Whilst having supper in the sitting room, they saw the door to the cupboard open, revealing a robed figure. A chill was said to have settled over the room during the figure’s presence. After a minute, the figure is said to have dissipated. New marks were noted to have appeared on the doorframe, which Mrs Murray believed were due to the prayer beads in the figure’s hands.
This cupboard door, incidentally, is one of the few doors and frames that have not needed to be replaced in almost 100 years, since this sighting.
Perhaps the father found the prankster, as he has been quiet over the last few years, or perhaps he is just watching and waiting.
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Bring your family and friends to Whately Hall and celebrate in style, where we specialise in making memories for you to remember for years to come. Whether it is a new arrival, a wedding, a charity ball or the passing of a loved one.
We have a range of event rooms that can accommodate small intimate gatherings or larger events up to 110 along with picturesque gardens that are perfect for drinks receptions, wedding ceremonies, relaxation or just admiring the views.
