THE PRIEST'S COTTAGE - A Haunting history

WHAT DOES YOUR INVESTIGATION ENTAIL? 

- All investigations 8pm til 8am

- Tea, coffee and bottled water all included

- Staff let nights available on request at a £50 surcharge

- The price is for the entire booking, not per person

- Dedicated staff member on call throughout the night for any support required

- The cottage sleeps up to 8 on beds and camp beds (supplied)

- CCTV throughout the building to sit and watch on your breaks. Clips available on request if timestamps and details of suspected evidence are provided by the guest. At no extra charge.

A FEW IMPORTANT NOTES

- Extremely well behaved pets are allowed. But must be made aware via email or social media message so we can ensure a deep clean is scheduled after

- If you have any serious allergies please make us aware upon booking. We can ensure a deep clean is done to prevent any allergen contamination. 

- As a team we actively encourage the education of our young ones. We allow insured teams to bring their children from age 6. All children under 18 must be supervised by a parent and a separate waiver signed for them. 

DATES AVAILABLE BELOW

Please DOUBLE CLICK your chosen date where you will pay a 50% non refundable deposit to secure your date and the remainder of the balance is due 3 days before via your guest portal. If deposit payment is not made your booking will automatically cancel after 12 hours. 

Promotions advertised through our social media are not always available through our booking system so please contact the teams social media for promotional booking. 

Please check the Ts and Cs before booking

Rating: 4.3125 stars
32 votes

Whispers in the Brickwork: The Haunted Story of Branch Road’s Primitive Methodist Church

 

At the corner of Branch Road in Armley, Leeds, stands a building that has lived many lives. Once a chapel, later a cinema, then a carpet store—its exterior may have shifted with the decades, but something older lingers within. Some say that if you press your ear to the cool red brick late at night, you can still hear the hymns—and sometimes, other things.

 

The story begins in 1877, when the Primitive Methodists built their second chapel here, replacing a small place of worship called Ebenezer. Designed by Thomas Howdill, a local architect, the building was born from faith and ambition. But it wasn’t long before the congregation outgrew it. By 1905, a third and grander chapel rose in its place, the work of Thomas's son, Charles Barker Howdill.

 

It was more than just a church. It was a vessel of memory. After the First World War, a somber memorial board inside listed five local men who never came home. Their names were etched in wood—but perhaps also into the very air of the building. Strange chills have been felt near the old memorial site, even long after the church closed.

 

By 1910, a cinema took over the original ebenezer chapel, and laughter replaced sermons. But projectionists and cleaners sometimes reported odd sensations—phantom footsteps in empty aisles, a voice whispering a name no one had spoken in years.

 

The years rolled on. The chapel became a laundry, then a supermarket, and finally, in 1979, Mike’s Carpets, whose bold signage masked the quiet secrets within. Even as rugs were unrolled and cash registers rang, visitors would sometimes pause, unsettled by sudden drafts or the flickering of the lights—especially near the rear of the building, where the old vestry once stood.

 

In 1996, the structure was granted Grade II listed status, recognized for its striking architecture. But for some, that designation felt like something more: a formal acknowledgement of a building too stubborn, too storied, to fade.

 

When the Armley Townscape Heritage Initiative unveiled a plaque in 2017 to mark the building’s restoration, it celebrated a piece of civic pride. But it also reopened a door to the past. And through that door, the curious still step—some seeking history, others sensing mystery.

 

So if you ever find yourself on Branch Road, linger a moment. Peer through the windows. Ask about the war memorial. Speak the name “Ebenezer.” The past is not gone here—it breathes behind the walls, it flickers in the corners. And maybe, just maybe, the spirits of Armley’s Primitive Methodists are still waiting for someone to listen.

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Comments

Chloe Watkins
18 days ago

Hi,

I am part of a paranormal team and we are looking to book the venue for a private hire (non public event but for content filming and team experience). Can I confirm what the cost would be and whether it is per person or for the venue. There would be 5 of us and we would be interested in an overnight if that is somrthing you do. Thank you. Chloe x

Isaac
23 days ago

Hi, I’m outside

philip kerby
a month ago

I we have booked in august to come to Preist house what was the times are we meant to be there and finish please thanks phil

Martin Davison
a month ago

Hi, I was just wondering if you have to be an official paranormal team book this venue or can anyone book? We are a group of 8 enthusuastic beginners who have just attended our first organised investigstion and would like to try ourselves. Finally, is the price per night or per person per night?

Many Thanks

Martin.

Jamie
a month ago

We outside waiting

Ethan Burge
2 months ago

Hey just curious how much it will cost to hire out this building!

Shaun Lewis BPUK
3 months ago

Can we book for 5 people on the 12 of February? Looking forward to hear, kind regard Bristol paranormal hunters uk

Claire Boocock
3 months ago

Hi
Can we book 06/02/26 please.
We have £45 to use towards this booking. Do I need to pay any more at this point?
Many thanks. Xx

Antony Bradley
5 months ago

Really good night last night thoroughly enjoyed it 10 out of 10 hopefully be back in the future with friends for extra energy

Sarah East
6 months ago

WOW! What a night! Just got back from our first investigation at The Priests Cottage and what a night we had! Thank you to the girls at FX Paranormal for allowing us to investigate the secrets inside and for your hospitality. We had an amazing night and are already excited about coming back to learn more of the history and stories that lie within. Would 100% recommend anyone to visit here… IF YOU DARE! It isn’t for the faint hearted that’s for sure! Definitely one of the best venues we’ve been to to date. Sarah- New Dawn Paranormal