Believe not Every Spirit: An Introduction to Victorian Spiritualism

Schedule

Wed Oct 21 2026 at 02:00 pm to 03:00 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

Leicester Guildhall | Leicester, EN

Advertisement
The age of the Victorians was one of industrialisation, secularisation and scientific development. It was also the birthplace of Modern Spiritualism, a new religion and belief system that brought the heavens into living rooms and reunited the living with the dead.
As Darwin spoke of evolution and Queen Victoria bathed in grief, mediums delivered messages from the deceased, comforted the bereaved and offered proof of life beyond death. Yet beneath the comforting messages of reconciliation and immortality, was a strange subculture of curious claims and bizarre phenomena. Some mediums commanded spirits to manifest live animals from thin air, began fearsome rivalries and allowed ghosts to walk among the living. Throughout the 19th century, there are accounts of mediums levitating across cities, filling rooms with heavenly flowers, dumping eels on the heads of sitters and even sharing biscuits with spirits.
Dr Kate Cherrell delivers a fascinating and enlightening talk about the history of a much misunderstood movement, including its biggest names, biggest claims, and even bigger critics.
Tickets £10
To Book: https://www.leicestermuseums.org/leicester-guildhall/
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Leicester Guildhall, Leicester, United Kingdom

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Leicester Museums & Galleries

Host or Publisher Leicester Museums & Galleries

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Leicester

Systemic and Family Constellations Workshop
Sat, 24 Oct at 10:00 am Systemic and Family Constellations Workshop

Quaker Meeting House

WORKSHOPS HEALTH-WELLNESS
The Tumbling Paddies Leicester Tickets
Sat, 24 Oct at 07:00 pm The Tumbling Paddies Leicester Tickets

O2 Academy Leicester

CONTESTS TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Catherine Bohart: Borrowing Trouble (Leicester)
Sat, 24 Oct at 07:30 pm Catherine Bohart: Borrowing Trouble (Leicester)

The Y Theatre

COMEDY CONTESTS
INXS UK \u2013 The Definitive Tribute to INXS
Sat, 24 Oct at 07:30 pm INXS UK – The Definitive Tribute to INXS

Garden Street, LE1 3UA Leicester, United Kingdom

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
The Evolution of Medicine and its Links to the Parish of St Martin
Thu, 09 May at 11:30 am The Evolution of Medicine and its Links to the Parish of St Martin

Leicester Cathedral

Leicester Cathedral Carved in Stone Tour
Thu, 23 May at 11:30 am Leicester Cathedral Carved in Stone Tour

Leicester Cathedral

January Tours - Leicester Guildhall
Wed, 14 Jan at 11:30 am January Tours - Leicester Guildhall

Leicester Guildhall

MEETUPS
Caring for Heirlooms Talk and Discussion
Thu, 15 Jan at 05:30 pm Caring for Heirlooms Talk and Discussion

Leather Conservation Centre

Group Walk: More Stories from the Walls
Sat, 17 Jan at 11:00 am Group Walk: More Stories from the Walls

Leicester Town Hall Square, off Horsefair Street (close to the Bike Park)

CONTESTS NONPROFIT
A Taste of Loyalty Press Tour
Thu, 22 Jan at 05:00 pm A Taste of Loyalty Press Tour

King Richard III Visitor Centre

ART THEATRE
City of Leicester: Holocaust Memorial Day Event 2026
Tue, 27 Jan at 07:00 pm City of Leicester: Holocaust Memorial Day Event 2026

Hugh Aston Building, Room 0.10

CONTESTS MUSIC
An Evening with Damon Hill in Conversation with Tom Clarkson
Tue, 27 Jan at 07:30 pm An Evening with Damon Hill in Conversation with Tom Clarkson

De Montfort Hall

SPORTS CONTESTS
Hidden Gems of Leicester Cathedral
Thu, 05 Feb at 11:00 am Hidden Gems of Leicester Cathedral

Leicester Cathedral

Valentine's Day: Letter Locking Workshop
Wed, 11 Feb at 05:30 pm Valentine's Day: Letter Locking Workshop

Leather Conservation Centre

WORKSHOPS VALENTINES-DAY
ROMANS 2 RAIDERS
Sat, 21 Feb at 12:00 pm ROMANS 2 RAIDERS

African Caribbean Centre - Leicester

ART LITERARY-ART
Craft Like a Viking - Living History Taster Workshop
Wed, 25 Feb at 07:30 pm Craft Like a Viking - Living History Taster Workshop

Braunstone West Social Centre

WORKSHOPS ART
An Audience with Martin O'Neill
Thu, 26 Feb at 07:30 pm An Audience with Martin O'Neill

De Montfort Hall

Fight like a Viking - Beginner's Course
Wed, 04 Mar at 07:30 pm Fight like a Viking - Beginner's Course

Braunstone West Social Centre

WORKSHOPS ART
The Survival of the Princes in the Tower - Matthew Lewis
Mon, 16 Mar at 07:00 pm The Survival of the Princes in the Tower - Matthew Lewis

Leicester Cathedral

1 King, 2 Princes, & Shakespeare's Lie
Wed, 18 Mar at 07:00 pm 1 King, 2 Princes, & Shakespeare's Lie

Leicester Cathedral

ART THEATRE

What's Happening Next in Leicester?

Discover Leicester Events