Harley Young stays overnight for a murder mystery at the Stanley family’s weekend hunting lodge
I’d always fancied giving a murder mystery evening a go but never got around to it. So when given the opportunity to take part in one at Knowsley Hall - a privately owned stately home in Prescot - with what was essentially a free rein to explore the 2,500-acre property as I stayed overnight, how could I say no?
The Murder Mystery evenings are part of a new programme of events, designed to allow the public who normally can’t access Knowsley Hall, to experience it in all its glory. And what glory awaits behind those imposing double doors.
Owned by the Stanley family (The Earls of Derby) since 1385, Knowsley Hall was originally a medieval hunting lodge before taking over from Lathom House as the family seat in 1495. It’s now in the possession of The 19th Earl & Countess of Derby and their family, who have made it their life’s work to restore the Hall to its former glory.
Over the years, Knowsley Hall has welcomed a large number of royalty and distinguished visitors, including her late majesty the Queen Elizabeth II and artist and poet Edward Lear, most known for his works A Book of Nonsense and The Owl and the Pussy-Cat, who created most of his finest bird paintings whilst residing there.
It’s even believed that Shakespeare himself spent a period of time at the property, making it a dream location for history and literature buffs alike.
If you’re looking for a more modern day appeal from this 600-year-old estate, it’s had its fair share of cameos on popular TV shows, too. You might recognise Knowsley Hall and its grounds as the backdrop for scenes in Peaky Blinders, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks to name but a few, with TV crews queuing out the door to get those perfectly aesthetic shots.
As well as making a cracking film set, the Hall is available for private hire including weddings, conferences, product launches, awards ceremonies, charity balls and extravagant private parties.
And now, the public can explore the majestic home as part of a roster of specially organised events throughout the year, including guided tours, afternoon teas, masquerade balls, and Murder Mystery evenings.
I was here to experience the latter as part of a package which included an overnight stay with three-course dinner and breakfast, and a fully interactive evening hosted by Murder 57.
A member of the Knowsley Hall team greeted us at the large iron gates and took our names before letting us through. As the car winded its way up the long roads that twist and turn their way around the 2,500 acre land, we took in the scenery; beautifully kept paddocks as far as the eye could see - some with well-fed sheep in, others just housing magnificent oak trees that are probably as old as the building itself, if not older.
Pulling up in front of the imposing 15th century building, I glanced up the stairs and saw that one of the double doors was left ajar, ready and waiting for our arrival. I checked in at the equally as impressive reception room, signing on the dotted line as classical music played quietly in the background. I felt as though I'd travelled back in time and couldn't help but marvel at the stupendous decor and heirlooms that sat on the cabinets and hung on the walls in front of me.
The room I stayed in was known simply as ‘Lady Victoria’s bedroom’. It was a room that looked like it hadn’t been touched since the early 1900s - everything left perfectly in its place with just a few subtle mod cons to suit the 21st-century traveller; a flat screen TV, kettle, fan and the likes.
A welcome letter personally addressing me sat on the bedside table along with a plate of truffles and raspberries.
Above the fireplace sits a painting of Lady Victoria which facing towards the bed. A small card by the window tells you a bit more about her, including how she sadly died following a horse riding incident. Her smile in the painting gives off a warm and welcoming energy which only adds more character to the place.
Off to the side of the bedroom is the room's ensuite - it's as big as the bedroom itself, and almost as big as the entirety of my Manchester city centre flat. There's a full bathroom suite including a freestanding roll top bath, an arm chair by the window, and an extra fireplace for good measure as well as an intriguing locked door.
There's hidden doors everywhere in this building, some that even camouflage into the walls, further adding to the murder mystery allure and making me ponder what they might have been used for once upon a time.
I made my way down the staircase, past an expensive-looking grandfather clock and down the sprawling halls to explore the house room by room before the evening's entertainment began.
Like it's own private museum, there's artefacts and little nuggets of history aplenty everywhere you turn including volume upon volume of original bird drawings and sketches of the Knowsley Menagerie, and even the stool that James, the 7th Earl, was beheaded on after the Battle of Worcester in 1651.
Paintings of horses adorn almost every wall in the grand living spaces, including this rather charming portrait of 'Ferry', winner of 1000 guineas in 1918 - if my mathematics is correct that would be worth roughly £440,000 today.
After a good hour or so of exploring the colossal property and its grounds (and that was only the tip of the iceberg, let me tell you), I popped to the bar for a drink and retired to the lounge whilst waiting for guests to arrive.
It's an unusual feeling, listening to Post Malone playing from a bluetooth speaker in the corner as everything else surrounding you tells a tale of another time. The senses don't quite know what to do with themselves.
Guests began to filter onto Knowsley Hall's patio, chatting excitedly and catching the last bit of summer sun as it set over the gardens. After a glass of fizz, we were ushered back inside to the State Dining Room ready for the thrilling evening to commence.
I audibly gasped when I caught a glimpse of the stunning hall - like something out of a fairytale, its a space that has to be experienced to be truly appreciated. Photographs don't do it full justice.
Portrait after portrait of the long lineage of Earls and Countesses of Derby cover the walls and from the centre of the intricately carved wooden ceiling hangs a jaw dropping chandelier. A piano version of Sleep Token's Euclid played softly over the speakers as we took our seats at the tables arranged like they would be for a wedding reception, making the moment even more special.
Shortly after, food and wine began to flow; a three course dinner followed by coffee and truffles was served as the chaos of the murder mystery began to unfold.
I quickly discovered that at least one person per table had a hidden agenda, they were part of Jack and Jill's (the newlywed couple who had been sadly killed on their way to the evening celebrations) wedding party. Our suspect (actor) was Ethel, the drunk and slightly cooky wife of the chauffeur who did a great job at cracking jokes and staying in character throughout.
The inspector asked for our attention from time to time, letting us know that new pieces of evidence had been found and we could go over to the table to view them and try suss out who the culprit could be.
After a few altercations from the friends and family of the dearly deceased, plenty of gossip, and a good old scandal, I was convinced I'd caught the murderer red handed. But then one of the suspects came stumbling into the hall covered in blood with a knife sticking out of their stomach. It was back to the drawing board.
The evening drew to a close and the true culprit was revealed. Shockingly, it was the one character I least expected. Miles off, I retired my dreams of ever becoming Miss Marple's understudy and polished off my truffles before venturing into the bar area where the other guests were already enjoying the after dinner disco.
The following morning, I waltzed down the elegant staircase (a feeling that never gets old) and made my way into the breakfast room where my fellow case-crackers were already enjoying their mid-morning meal as they reminisced on the evening before.
A decent spread of savoury and sweet continental items (including figs from the tree in the garden - the second oldest fig tree in the world apparently) sat on the table to the left while the larger one on the right had Bain Maries full of everything you could want from your Full English.
I helped myself and gazed out of the window, imagining what a bright summer's day like this one would've been like a few hundred years ago, as the sound of birds chirping and the low hum of the conveyer toaster kept provided a soothing Saturday morning soundtrack.
Before parting ways with Knowsley Hall I took one final stroll around its beautiful grounds, stumbling upon ancient architecture and the vast waters of White Man's Dam.
It's no wonder the current Earl and Countess have made it their mission to restore and preserve this little patch of heaven in Prescot - if I had this on my doorstep I don't think I'd ever venture beyond those big iron gates.
Follow Harley Young on X @Harley__Young
What's on at Knowsley Hall
Knowsley Hall and its grounds are available for private stays, weddings, conferences, product launches, award ceremonies, charity balls, private parties.
To find out more about upcoming events and experiences, including the next Murder Mystery eventat Knowsley Hall, click here.
Get the latest news to your inbox
Get the latest food & drink news and exclusive offers by email by signing up to our mailing list. This is one of the ways that Confidentials remains free to our readers and by signing up you help support our high quality, impartial and knowledgable writers. Thank you!
Join our WhatsApp group
You can also get regular updates on news, exclusives and offers by joining the Manchester Confidential WhatsApp group.
