Now a girls’ school, Hyde Hall was once owned by Sir Strange Jocelyn, a Non-Conformist in an area that was strongly Quaker in the 17th and 18th centuries. His unorthodox views on religion got him into lively arguments, especially his strong desire to be buried in the local churchyard, after his death, with his favourite horse. Naturally his rather unusual request was turned down by the church authorities and when he eventually died, he was buried with his horse in the grounds of Hyde Hall itself.
From time to time, Sir Strange’s ghost is seen, riding his spectral favourite along the drive leading to his old house |
