A chilling yet touching encounter with a child spirit at Antwerp Mansion left a lasting impression on me, writes paranormal investigator DARREN SARSFIELD
Situated in Rusholme, a stone’s throw from Manchester’s famous Curry Mile, Antwerp Mansion stands as a gothic-style Victorian building with a varied and fascinating history.
Built in 1842, the mansion was originally the private home of wealthy industrialists. It later became a Conservative Club in 1924.
Winston Churchill is said to have visited on occasion, and the building was well used by the local community.
In more recent times, it gained fame on the club scene for its rave nights and was especially popular with students.
Now, Antwerp Mansion serves as a creative arts hub.
The Manchester Paranormal team arranged an investigation at the mansion, arriving for what turned out to be an incredible night.
As our team set up equipment and established the hub, I took the opportunity to learn about some of the stories hidden within the walls.
During the mansion’s early history, it is said that a small child fell from the top balcony to their death at the bottom of the staircase.
Although the tale has passed down through time, there is no documented evidence that this event actually occurred. Was it true or simply a myth?
The investigation began.
After a long period of calm and inactivity, we decided to take a break and return to the hub.
I had been on the upper level and began to walk down the staircase. Halfway down, I was suddenly struck by an icy chill and stopped in my tracks.
Stepping back, the chill disappeared. Stepping down a few steps again, there was nothing. But when I returned to that one step, the cold was back—freezing cold.
I called down to the hub and asked our team member Ian to bring the SLS camera.
The Structured Light Sensor (SLS) camera detects human figures by mapping skeletal and joint movements in stick-figure form.
If it maps a figure that cannot be accounted for, it is believed to represent a spirit presence.
The camera divides the paranormal community.
Sceptics argue it is unreliable and prone to mapping reflections. Science broadly debunks its use. But believers find its readings compelling.
I asked, “Is anyone present with us?” To our surprise, a small stick figure appeared on the very same step next to me.
We believed the figure to be that of a child.
I gently said, “Don’t be afraid, we’d love to play some games,” and, astonishingly, the child figure reached up and touched my hand on the screen before vanishing.
We moved to the upper floor and entered a room that would give us activity we still talk about to this day.
The beams of the room were fully visible. Hanging from them were two long ropes with a plank at the bottom, fashioned into a swing.
On the seat sat a small teddy bear, left behind from previous investigations.
Four team members, including myself, settled in the room and once again used the SLS camera.
All team members were mapped, and the vigil began.
I asked if the child was still with us and whether it would like to play on the swing.
After a couple of minutes, to the team’s astonishment, a small childlike figure appeared, seated on the swing, holding the ropes and swinging its legs excitedly.
The room temperature dropped once more to freezing.
We sat in silence for about a minute until the figure disappeared, and the temperature returned to its base warmth.
When the lights came back on, a great debate followed.
Was it all just coincidence, as the sceptics might argue? Or had we truly spent time with the child from the story?
The argument for genuine paranormal activity was certainly compelling.
Not all hauntings are terrifying. Sometimes, as in this case, they can be heartwarming and sad in equal measure.
A truly Mancunian ghost story in a remarkable location.
Have you experienced anything unusual at Antwerp Mansion? Share your story in the comments below!
Listen to Spooky Isles interview with Darren Sarsfield on the Spooky Isles Podcast.
