George Prescott MP bought the Theobalds estate in 1762 and constructed the main house we see today. The Meux family (London Brewers) leased the property in about 1820 and later purchased the freehold. They added the Italianate tower and domestic quarters at the south end in the 1880’s and the ballroom wing at the north end was built in 1912. The last private owner was Admiral of the Fleet Sir Hedworth Meux, who died in 1929. The house was then a hotel before being bought by Middlesex County Council in 1938. Occupied by the Army during WW II, it then became a secondary school between 1951 and 1969. The London Borough of Enfield, as successors to MCC as education authority, used it as a college from 1973 to 1989. In the early 1990’s it was thoroughly and expertly restored and sold to Initial Style Conferences. Over the centuries strange and unexplained occurrences have happened throughout the estate inside and out. Lady Meux was a collector of antiques and purchased an Egyptian mummy in a coffin. Inscribed on the coffin was any person that moved the mummy would die a childless death. Those people that did move it - did die a childless death! The mummy was sold to a gentleman abroad and was sent on the Titanic overseas, however as the titanic sunk so did the mummy. Over the house and in many of the rooms visitors have felt a presence keeping a watchful eye on them. Phantom footsteps with no owner is also a phenomena heard around the Carpenters Lounge and lobby areas. Also, a spectre of a woman has been seen wandering down the main staircase, some say that this is the spirit of Lady Meux. More sinister happenings have been reported around room 107 and the adjoining hallway. Objects have been known to jump out of peoples hands of their own accord and a security guard one night felt a hand grab his shoulder whilst in this hallway, there was no one there. Other bedrooms have strange happenings too. Bedrooms- 215 & 216, apparitions have been seen by independent people staying in either of these rooms. One lady was laying in bed with the lamp on and saw her clothes being moved across the floor. Bedroom 221, staff say to be the MOST HAUNTED BEDROOM! People have felt very uneasy in this bedroom and have asked to be moved! People have felt there bedding being pulled off them and male whispering has been heard. Most of the staff do not like being in this room alone! In the hallway of these three rooms, Managers and Security guards radios play up. One time the Manager was told 4 times to leave the area one night, but nobody radioed him.