Although Avenue House looks very eloquent, this period property does has its moments. Situated in Finchley, the land was steeped in history going right back to the famous knights templars.
Originally owned by the Bishop of London, the land on which Avenue House stands used to be known as Temple Croft Fields, after the Knights Templars who were granted it in 1243. From 1312 it belonged to the Knights Hospitallers until their estates were seized by Henry VIII in 1540. It passed through various hands until in 1732 it was bought by Thomas Allen, builder of the existing manor which is now the Steinberg Centre. In 1859, Rev. Edward Cooper, a relative of the Allen family, built a villa on the site, which later became known as Avenue House. It was bought in 1874 by Henry Charles (Inky) Stephens, son of the inventor of the famous blue-black ink. He died in 1918, bequeathing Avenue House to the people of Finchley.On 3 May 1928, nearly 10 years after Stephens death, Avenue House was formally opened to the public. Since being opened to the public, Avenue House has become home to numerous clubs and societies, providing an important local facility for community meetings and event. In 1989 the building was ravaged by fire, since when it was extensively and sympathetically refurbished to retain its character, and at the same time provide modern and comfortable facilities for conferences, business functions and exhibitions. Avenue House boasts around 86 rooms, which we have access to around two thirds of them so plenty of space to get your ghost hunting teeth into!
Ghost sightings have included, the apparition of a lady thought to have been one of the former governesses of Avenue House and still patrols the area. Footsteps are heard and hot and cold spots are felt.Feelings of being touched, alongside whispering and crying and sounds have also been noted. Prestige Paranormals last visit here had brilliant emf meter conversations in the cellar with a little boy around aged 9, on both vigils. We also heard the sound of him playing football, as well as other taps, and also the light intensity meter (which measures light and shadow in lux) picked up on the shadow of him. When various guests asked the boy to move to them, so would the shadow and the meter would pick him up with the person who asked. He was also spotted as a light anomaly to the physical eye. In Stephens Room on the second floor, there have been feelings of dread from members of staff and some refuse to enter. Upon our investigation, we heard taps from a lady called Amelia who was in charge of members of staff and did not welcome anybody without an appointment with the house and its members. When talking amongst outselves and guests, we all heard a 'ssssshhh' from her!In the Balcony room, presences from Amelia and also Henry Charles was felt.
On the 3rd floor, in the room just below the bell/watch tower which has a secondary hexagonal room with a fireplace, our medium earlier felt the presence of a lady who had a broken heart. Upon later investigating, we had a full on knock once for yes knock twice for no conversation with her.In the Bell/Watch tower the presence of Robert, one of the knights hospitaliers was felt and also a man of the cloth and we all heard footsteps leading up the stairs on quite a few occasions when no-one else was around.
Do you dare go down the avenue of being a ghost hunter and visitthis wonderful location?
Your event will include
* An overnight investigation with the Prestige Paranormal investigation team* Welcome meeting* Refreshments and snacks during the night- which includes, tea coffee juices, hot chocolate, flapjacks, brownies, muffins, chocolate bars and sausage rolls.* Mediumship /Historical walkaround* Mediumship vigil- Dowsing rods, pendulums, psychometry experiments, singapore experiment using music/sounds from days gone by.* Victoriana vigil- Ouija Board (optional) glass divination, table tipping.* Equipment vigil - emf (k2) meters, laser thermometers, laser grid pens, motion sensors, super hearing enhancers, franks box, light intensity meter.* Group vigil, we will hold a mass group vigil at the end. * Debriefing session at the end.
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