HALLOWEEN at Newstead Abbey
Newstead Abbey is located in Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire. It was formerly an Augustinian priory, founded during the reign of Henry II in the 12th Century and best known as the ancestral home of the poet Lord Byron.
Over the centuries, the priory underwent significant architectural changes. The original structure was rebuilt and extended in the late 13th Century and again in the 15th Century,
Despite its monastic origins, the building was transformed into a grand residence after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. After this time, the Priory building became known as Newstead Abbey
Newstead Abbey is most famously associated with the romantic poet Lord Byron, who inherited the estate in 1798. Byron lived there until 1814, and it became a significant part of his life and work.
His love for his estate and excessive spending led to financial difficulties, eventually forcing him to sell the estate in 1818, but still to this day, the Abbey remains a symbol of his legacy.
Inside the Abbey, there is much to discover and investigate, including Lord Byron’s private apartments, the Victorian kitchen, the cloisters and the chapter house, which remain from the monastic period.
Ghosts!
Lord Byron’s famous pet dog has also been seen wandering the house in search of his master.
The Abbey is also said to be haunted by a monk who appears as if to foreshadow a bout of bad fortune.
Another ghost seen at the Abbey is called the “Rose Lady”. This entity is seen in a passageway at the bottom of the staircase. When the Rose Lady appears, she is always accompanied by the scent of roses or lavender that lingers after she disappears.
Join Us…
Experience this magnificent medieval building for yourself and discover the families who once considered it home—and don’t forget it’s Halloween!

