Photo by Gary Tacagni
The Lion and Swan dates back to around the 16th century and in the past was Congleton's main Hostelry and Coaching Inn, having survived through the centuries and borne witness to many people and events which have passed through and occurred here it is hardly suprising to learn that the building is haunted.
In the restaurant can be found a wooden fireplace surround which has on it strange carvings, it has been suggested that it once formed part of a bridal bed, and that the unchristian type carvings were some sort of fertility aid. It is thought that in the past the bed would have been used by couples who were barren, the hotel would have rented them a room and the bed in the hope that they would conceive.
The ghost that is said to haunt the hotel has been seen next to the fireplace, she is said to be that of a brown haired woman who is said to appear around the time of the new moon, wearing no clothes, smiling and only wearing a pair of clogs upon her feet!
The story goes that she died from a fever in the middle ages after drinking a potion to overcome her inability to conceive, the sightings usually take place in the middle of the night, and she is seen with a poker in her hand tending the fire below the mysterious carved fire surround!
The haunted fireplace. Photo by Gary Tacagni.
