Riverside roots of a haunted inn
The Mersey Hotel in Widnes sits on a riverside stretch that has drawn travellers for generations, evolving from a modest hostelry to a pub with deep local roots. Once known as the Snig Pie Inn, it served river workers and those crossing the Mersey, a time when pubs dotted Mersey Road to quench the thirst of industrial labourers and passersby.
Today, the building retains that rough charm, with a bar that hums late into the night and rooms above where guests sometimes feel more than just the buzz of the pub below. However, beneath the modern routine lies a history that invites paranormal interest, from wartime cellars to echoes of stable days.
The man in the old bar
Locals and visitors alike report seeing a man in the old bar, standing as if claiming his spot amid the chatter and clink of glasses. He appears solid at first glance, perhaps a former regular or landlord, but fades when approached, leaving an unnatural chill in his wake.
This apparition fits the pattern of pubs where spirits replay their daily haunts, drawn back to the heart of the venue. Therefore, investigators could set up in this room for EVP sessions, watching for visual anomalies or sudden drops in temperature that signal his return.
Bell ringing from the stables
A persistent sound haunts the back areas: a bell ringing sharply from the room that once connected to the stable block, now part of the kitchen setup. Staff have heard it clearly, as if summoning help or marking shift changes from an earlier era, yet no bell exists there today.
As a result, this phenomenon screams residual energy from when horses stabled nearby and inn staff dashed to answer calls. During a ghost hunt, placing audio equipment along that corridor could capture repeats, especially after dark when the building quiets.
Dark figure’s long walk
Witnesses describe a tall, dark figure of a man striding from the old stable area straight through to the front door, ignoring walls or obstacles in his path. He moves with purpose, like a worker finishing his shift or a patron leaving late, but vanishes before reaching the exit.
This intelligent or replayed sighting traces a fixed route tied to the inn’s working past, making it perfect for motion detectors or laser grids in investigations. Meanwhile, the figure’s consistency suggests a story waiting to emerge through direct interaction.
Cellars from the Blitz
The huge cellars underneath served as air raid shelters during the Second World War, sheltering locals as bombs targeted Merseyside’s docks and factories nearby. Now sealed off but accessible, they hold a heavy atmosphere of fear and hushed voices from those tense nights.
Also, these underground spaces often amplify paranormal activity in similar venues, with reports of oppressive feelings and unexplained noises common in wartime shelters. Paranormal teams love them for their isolation, ideal for prolonged vigils where spirits might respond to questions about their hidden ordeals.
Perfect for DeadLive investigations
The Mersey Hotel’s mix of bar apparitions, auditory anomalies and shadowy walkers, plus those evocative cellars, positions it as a standout for ghost hunts in Widnes and Cheshire. DeadLive ghost hunts here will launch soon, with dates announced on www.deadlive.co.uk – book early for access to the stables route, bar vigils and cellar descents.
Our Liverpool ghost hunts and DeadLive paranormal events in Cheshire already draw crowds, and this venue adds a riverside edge with its tangible history. If you’re new to investigating or a seasoned hunter, the variety of activity here promises real engagement.
We would love to investigate this location, but right now we are running events at Lark Lane Old Police Station Liverpool, Mayer Hall Wirral, Vernon Institute Chester, Penrhyn Old Hall, Coffee House Wavertree, Transport Museum Manchester, and Vale House.
DeadLive – taking you where the haunting is happening.