The Ghosts of Motley Hall poster

TV series

The Ghosts of Motley Hall

19763 seasons7.5 / 10

What they can do when no one can see them

The Ghosts of Motley Hall is a British children's television series written by Richard Carpenter and produced and directed by Quentin Lawrence for Granada Television, and broadcast between 1976 and 1978 on ITV. Five ghosts occupy the titular Motley Hall. Each hails from a different era and all—with the exception of newly deceased Matt—are unable to leave the confines of the building.

Availability

Not streaming in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

The Ghosts of Motley Hall premiered April 25, 1976. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.

Synopsis

The Ghosts of Motley Hall is a British children's television series written by Richard Carpenter and produced and directed by Quentin Lawrence for Granada Television, and broadcast between 1976 and 1978 on ITV. Five ghosts occupy the titular Motley Hall. Each hails from a different era and all—with the exception of newly deceased Matt—are unable to leave the confines of the building.

Season 3 episodes

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Episode 1

Family Tree

26m

American couple Darlene and Marvin Dewey are trying to trace Darlene's family tree; Sir George's brother Albert married Darlene's great-great grandmother, his older sister Alexandra never married but legend tells that his younger sister Clara eloped with an American and Mrs Dewey wants to know the truth. She has all sorts of gadgets to get in touch with spirits as she wants to ask Sir George.

Episode credits

Directed by Quentin LawrenceWritten by Richard CarpenterGuest stars Annie Ross, Reg Lye, Ed Devereaux

Where to watch The Ghosts of Motley Hall

Episode 2

Ghost Writer

26m

A film crew descend on Motley Hall as historian St John Desmond details the house's history for School television, but as they portray incidents from Motley's past, the ghosts notice that the historian has it wrong. Can they, with the help of faithful Mr Gudgin, set the record straight before the name of Uproar is blackened forever?

Episode credits

Directed by Quentin LawrenceWritten by Richard CarpenterGuest stars Arthur English, Freddie Jones, Nicholas Le Prevost, David Miller, Enn Reitel, Peter Lorenzelli, Stanley Page, Christine Rose

Where to watch The Ghosts of Motley Hall

Episode 3

Skeleton in the Cupboard: Part 1

26m

The other ghosts feel that Sir George is becoming a tyrant and want to teach him some humility. Sir George seems to have an adverse reaction to his sister Alexandra's croquet mallet. The ghosts wonder what the story is behind this and if it can help them get out from under George's rule.

Episode credits

Directed by Quentin LawrenceWritten by Richard CarpenterGuest stars Annie Ross, Joan Sanderson, John Ringham

Where to watch The Ghosts of Motley Hall

Episode 4

Skeleton in the Cupboard: Part 2

26m

Alexandra Uproar is cold towards the other ghosts and bosses over Sir George; Matt has an idea of how to get her out, if Sir George can do what is required.

Episode credits

Directed by Quentin LawrenceWritten by Richard CarpenterGuest stars Annie Ross, Joan Sanderson, Willoughby Goddard

Where to watch The Ghosts of Motley Hall

Episode 5

Party Piece

26m

Mr Gudgin installs a piano in the hall and the ghosts plan a night of musical entertainment. The piano once belonged to composer Ludwig Stumpf, who doesn't want anyone else—dead or alive—to play it.

Episode credits

Directed by Quentin LawrenceWritten by Richard CarpenterGuest stars John Ringham

Where to watch The Ghosts of Motley Hall

Episode 6

Narcissus Bullock's Bell

26mfinale

Mr Gudgin is doing a spot of gardening and digs up an old bell buried by highwayman Captain Narcissus Bullock, (a former companion of Fanny Uproar. If the bell is rung, it banishes ghosts. Narcissus wants to ring it so that he and Fanny can preside over the hall and entertain all sorts of unscrupulous spirits, but the other ghosts are Fanny's friends.

Episode credits

Directed by Quentin LawrenceWritten by Richard CarpenterGuest stars Michael Elphick

Where to watch The Ghosts of Motley Hall

Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026

More about The Ghosts of Motley Hall

Cast

Sheila SteafelThe White Lady
Sean FlanaganMatt
Peter SallisMr Gudgin
Arthur EnglishBodkin
Freddie JonesSir George Uproar
Nicholas Le PrevostSir Francis 'Fanny' Uproar
Annie RossDarlene Dewey
Joan SandersonAlexandra Uproar

Credits

Created by
Richard Carpenter
Written by
Richard Carpenter

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
20
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • ITV1United Kingdom
  • Granada TelevisionUnited Kingdom

Themes

ghosthorror for childrenmansionpsychotronicsupernatural comedy