Chambercombe Manor - Ilfracombe, North Devon

Report

Place: Chambercombe Manor. Ilfracombe, Devon.

Date: 12th November 2005.

Time: 2000 hrs - 0700 hrs.

Key incidents:

Children's Bedroom - Orbs on and near the bed. A definite happy presence of both Eleanor and Bella (the "resident spirits")  Experienced several "tugging" sensations whilst seated on the steps in front of the bed that lead to the adjoining playroom. It was later confirmed by the medium that a little girl was stood behind myself and another member of the group. The group member had experienced a warm sensation on her legs despite the room being deathly cold.

Kitchen - Orbs viewed and inexplicable temperature drops and darkness. One group member experienced whispering in his ear whilst in the vicinity of the fireplace. This member was visibly shocked.

Master Bedroom - Locked off night vision camera recorded several knocks and bangs and also taps to the microphone. The Manor was completely empty at this time, as group members were within the grounds and staff were in the restaurant / restroom.  Later night vigil produced orbs and several members experienced "extreme" sickness whilst seated on the bed or nursing chair. Some members had to leave the room.  The chamber had earlier been visited by the medium, who had sensed the spirits of a angry male and a young female with baby.  This room is normally the site of lots of paranormal activity including the unexplained rocking of a Tudor cot.  Throughout my time in the Master Bedroom we had difficulty with camera equipment resultant in the loss of a complete DVD section previously filmed from the Child's Bedroom.

Initial Impression:

Chambercombe manor, although quiet on this occasion, has been active as confirmed  by many other paranormal investigation groups.  The master bedroom was without a doubt an area or focus for paranormal activity as testified by the number of members who fell ill here. I am not sure if the "sickness" was caused by "anxiety" and "expectation" or if the sickness can be attributed to drain of energy from the individual - however all concerned appeared very shook up by the experience. 

Our thanks go out to the "Fright Night Team" Sonia and Marie.  Additionally we would like to thank the wonderful support team from the Manor trust who kept us fed and watered throughout the evening.

Forum Question
When is an orb not an orb? Take a look at the Index page picture of the Master bedroom is this an orb - is it spiritual or simply dust?  The area had been suggested by the medium as being the where an angry male spirit had been standing.

The Legend of Chambercombe Manor

Legend has it that Chambercombe Manor is haunted. "The Haunted Room" adjoins one used by Lady Jane Grey. It is said that the tenant in 1865 was making some repairs to the roof when he discovered the outline of a window for which he could not find a room corresponding.  Further investigation led to the discovery of a chamber between Lady Jane Grey's room and the one adjoining, in which were the remains of a handsome bedstead and the skeleton of a woman. She was supposed to be a titled lady who was visiting relatives at Chambercombe. The lady was shipwrecked in a storm on the rocks at Hele. She was found and brought to the Manor where she was placed into the room where she later died. The jewellery she was wearing was taken by the occupants of the Manor and the room sealed off from the outside world. The room has no entrance to it now, but a section of the partition has been removed and one is able to see into the chamber.

The secret chamber - Chambercombe Manor

Notes

If any of the above detail is incorrect or misleading please email us and we will correct it within 24 hrs. Additionally if you have personnel experiences of the Manor please let us know.

Ownership details

ROBERT in the time of Edward the Confessor. 
LADY ROISE, wife of Sir Henry Champernon.
MARGARET, grand-daughter of the last Champernon of Ilfracombe and daughter of Mary Polglass. m. Sir Richard John Herle.
WILLIAM LORD BONVILLE, whose son
WILLIAM married Elizabeth, Lord Harrington’s daughter, whose son
WILLIAM married Catherine, daughter of Richard Nevil, Earl of Salisbury, who died leaving an only child
CECILY who married Sir Thomas Grey, Marquis of Dorset and on the attainder to his sone Henry (created Duke of Suffolk) the property went to the Crown in 1450.
SIR PHILIP SIDNEY, heir of Sir Charles Brandon, whose daughter
ELIZABETH married Roger Manners, 5th Earl of Rutland 1610.
SIR THOMAS GORGES Kt.
LORD GORGES, Baron of Dundalk, gave the deed dated 1686 to the Vicar of Ilfracombe, vested in Trustees and the Manor was sold in parcels to various purchasers.
ALEXANDER OATWAY – The Wrecker.
WILLIAM OATWAY – Son of Alexander.
Mrs. ELIZABETH VYE, 1780.
Mr. J. VYE, 1800.
WILLIAM NAHANIAL JAMES, GEORGE & MARY VYE, 1820.
JOHN ROBBINS, 1850.
Mr LOZE was in possession in 1902, married, and his wife
MARTHA LOZE took over the property. Her niece
DOLLY GOODMAN became the owner and married
L. C. PINCOMBE, Esq.
The property was acquired in 1972 by
A. R. HAYWARD Esq., a direct descendant of a Norman knight
Hugh De Crevecoeur and later Bartholomew De Bedlesmere and
Juliana De Spencer who donated the property to the Chambercombe Manor Trust in 1979

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