Flitwick Manor
| Flitwick Manor | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Location | Flitwick, Bedfordshire, England |
| Coordinates | 51°59′47″N 0°30′9″W / 51.99639°N 0.50250°W |
| Management | Menzies Hotels |
Flitwick Manor is a Grade II* Listed[1] Georgian country house in the south of Flitwick, Bedfordshire, England. It is located on Church Road off the A5120 road. It is currently run as a hotel by the hotelier firm Menzies.[2]
The manor was built for John Thomas Brooks in 1816 following his marriage to Mary.[3] It remained in the family, including the Lyall family descendants until 1934 when it was sold by the Lyall family. It stayed in private hands until 1984 when Somerset Moore converted it to a restaurant.[3] This was sold in 1990 and it became a Menzies hotel. Today it retains many old antiques and old furnishings.[3]
When the manor was undergoing renovation, Jim Sparkes, a builder, discovered a wooden door beneath the roof tiles, opening into a hidden secret room.[3] Inside the room was a bricked-up doorway which had led into the upper floor of the manor. The room was believed to have been the quarters of an old white-haired housekeeper who was once dismissed after the family believed she was responsible for the death of one of the children by poisoning him.[3] Flitwick Manor is reported to be haunted and apparitions of this housekeeper have been reported.[3][4] A hotel manager has reported being confronted by her in a corridor and the staff are reportedly very familiar with her presence and know her favourite chair, as she often leaves an impression on the cushion.[4] It is also believed to be the wife of Mr Brooks, whose daughter (Mary Ann) died of cancer early on in her life. This drove the couple apart, and Mrs Brooks left Flitwick Manor because of it.[5]