| Flitwick Manor | |
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| Location in Bedfordshire | |
| Location | Flitwick, Bedfordshire, England |
| Coordinates | 51°59′47″N 0°30′9″W / 51.99639°N 0.5025°W |
| Management | Menzies Hotels |
Flitwick Manor is a Georgian country house in the south of Flitwick, Bedfordshire, England. It is located on Church Road off the A512 road. It is currently run as a hotel by the hotelier firm Menzies.[1]
The manor was built for John Thomas Brooks in 1816 following his marriage to Mary.[2] It remained in the family, including the Lyall family descendants until 1934 when there were no heirs. It stayed in private hands until 1984 when Somerset Moore converted it to a restaurant.[2] This was sold in 1990 and it became a Menzies hotel. Today it retains many old antiques and old furnishings.[2]
When the manor was being refurbished, Jim Sparkes, a builder, discovered a wooden door beneath the roof tiles, opening into a hidden secret room.[2] 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.[2] Flitwick Manor is reported to be haunted and apparitions of this housekeeper have been reported.[2][3]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.[3]
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