There has been a building on this site since the 13th Century, while the oldest part of the building dates from 1335 when William Radcliffe bought the Manor from the Hulton family, with his Son, Grandson and Great-Grandson, all inheriting the estate. The 3rd Sir Ralph had only a daughter, Johanna, who married into the Barton family, and in 1485 the estate passed to them. Through marriage the Hall passed to the Bellasyse family in 1659, was sold in 1723 to Joseph Byrom, and in 1801 Richard Ainsworth purchased the hall. The Ainsworth family were made wealthy by the Industrial Revolution and they built a grand southwest wing and later remodelled the 16th Century parts of the house and added further wings. Nigel Ainsworth inherited the hall in 1926, eventually selling it to the County Borough of Bolton, who opened the oldest part of the house as a museum in 1963 and used the rest as a residential home and day centre. Paranormal activity at Smithills has included an energy in the Great Hall which is known to rush past people and blow tablecloths. Many have been touched on the stairs between the Bower and Solar rooms, while a lady in 17th Century Dress has also been seen on these stairs. The spirit of a small boy with long dark curly hair has been felt in the solar room, and in the Church a Grey lady has been seen sitting in the front pew. People have also experienced extreme unease and a malevolent atmosphere in the Green Room, said to be assocoated to the spirit of local Curate George Marsh who was tried there and burnt at the Stake for being a Protestant.

The walk around with the mediums brought together a number of pieces of information, most significantly regarding a clergyman who was associated to the George Marsh Room. Derek connected with a man who was tried and executed for his religious beliefs, while David named and described George, suggesting he was portraying a vision of him engulfed in flames. David also connected with a number of lost souls in a room which was once used as a morgue, while he also connected with the spirits of a priest, a lady and a skeletal figure in the Church. The vigils began with Rachel and Iain investigating the derelict sections of the hall, suggesting they experienced some auditory phenomena as well as Rachel believing she had seen a shadow in the corridor. They were later joined by Stuart and Richard at which point the activity seemed to increase, specifically on one occasion when a door appeared to slam shut behind the team without explanation. As the night progressed Stuart decided upon a return to the derelict wings of the Hall for a solo vigil, and having earlier attempted to antagonise any spirits into activity, he did not have to wait long for a response. He experienced auditory phenomena including footsteps and what he described as a sigh or moan from an adjoining room, while again he was witness to a door apparently slamming shut of its own accord. Alone and clearly disturbed by the activity around him, Stuart eventually made a brave retreat and rejoined the rest of the crew. Meanwhile Yvette, Ciaran, David and Karl were investigating the main parts of the Hall, and at one point Karl suggested he had seen movement outside the window, while Yvette was adamant that a strong gust of wind had whistled by, even though all remained still outside. Of most interest was a few imaged taken by Ciaran with the Thermal Imaging device, which appeared at one point to show someone or something outside the windows of the room.