posted 03-22-2001 01:33 AM         

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A few miles north-west of Sunderland on the Wear, Hylton is a 14th century tower, measuring 66 feet by 36 feet, with raised turrets, one of which has a clock. The Hylton family were fortunate to escape the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536 and, although Royalists, did not lose their property during the Civil War.

Hylton has a shield over the gateway known as the Washington Shield, with stars and stripes similar to the US flag. It is a favourite photographic subject for visiting Americans.

There is a legend about the castle. One of the owners accidentally killed a stable boy, and threw his body into a pond. The boy's spirit haunted the castle and at night cutlery and plates were hurled about. If servants left the dining hall in disorder however, the next morning all was neat and tidy. The spirit finally departed when a fine green coat was left for it on the hearth. The last Hylton died in 1730, and about this time a boy's bones were found in the pond.
From "Discovering Castles in England & Wales" by John Kinross. Shire Publications, 1973.

posted 11-02-2004 05:15 PM            

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hi my name is claire and me and a friend are intrested in taying or visiting the grounds of hylton castle to research the history of the ghosts and other spitits that live in hylton castle but we dont know how to go about doing this ? i was wondering if anyone could help me in my quest!

thanks

claire