The UK is home to some of the most historic locations in the world, and with this often tragic history comes stories and legends of hauntings. We’ve searched the country looking for the most haunted places to stay, and here we list the top 7 haunted hotels and inns in th UK that you can book for your next staycation!
1. Mermaid Inn, Rye, East Sussex
Located in the historic medieval town of Rye in East Sussex, the Mermaid Inn building dates back more than 600 years, making it one of the oldest buildings in the country.
Used as a base of operations for the infamous Hawkhurst Gang during the 1700’s, there are five from the gang believed to still be residing here amongst many other spirits. The sheer number of paranormal reports here is quite astounding.
A few of these include a lady in grey who likes to sit in the chair by the fireplace in the James Room. An apparition of a man is said to hang around room 10, appearing to walk through the bathroom wall into the main room. In room 17 the wife of the Hawkhurst gang founder, George Gray is said to reside, often appearing in the middle of the night, rocking on a chair in the room!
These are just a few of the ghostly tales experienced at this historic inn, there are countless more.
The Haunted Mermaid Inn2. Dalhousie Castle Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh
A one-time fortress, this 13th century castle is now the Dalhousie Castle Hotel & Spa, and it’s a place of luxury and relaxation, filled with antiques, relics, and history. It’s also one of the most haunted locations in Scotland.
The most prominent spirit here is the lovelorn Lady Catherine, who died at just 16 after being banished to the castle tower in 1695 after getting caught with a stable hand. Her mist like apparition has been seen in photos, often during times of celebration. You may also catch a glimpse of her looking down from the turrets waving to those passing by.
In addition to Lady Catherine, Sir Alexander Ramsey haunts the castle. His ghost still haunting the place in which he suffered his famous death by starvation in 1342.
The Haunted Dalhousie Castle3. Eastwell Manor, Ashford, Kent
Eastwell Manor Hotel is a stunning country house surrounded by breathtaking landscaped gardens in Eastwell Park, Kent. However, beneath the surface that befits the most extravagant period drama, lies a haunting that would leave the most hardened of ghost hunters running for the door!
Booking for a weekend away here you may come face to face with the lady in white. Her terrifying apparition appears at night, often times to porters on their night shift.
Elsewhere on the grounds the spirit of a horseman has been seen, galloping towards the manor, then veering off towards the lake in the dead of night!
Eastwell Manor Hotel4. Ruthin Castle Hotel, Ruthin, North Wales
Ruthin Castle has a history dating back to the 13th century, having been built by Edward the 1st in 1217. Now a luxurious hotel and spa, its also home to another Grey Lady ghost, amongst many others spirits.
The most prominent though is the Grey Lady – the wife of the second in command at the fortress in the days of Edward I. Legend says she was sentenced to death after killing her husbands’ mistress. Her vengeful spirit roams the halls of the castle and battlements to this day.
Ruthin Castle Hotel5. The Golden Fleece Inn, York, Yorkshire
Regarded by many paranormal experts as the most haunted pub in Britain, the golden Fleece in York is a must-visit for anyone visiting the city. Featuring on TV’s Most Haunted several years ago, this centrally located inn offers rooms to book, if you deem yourself brave enough.
If you do book a room here you’ll find it difficult to avoid any paranormal activity, with over 15 ghosts reortedly residing here. The most notable being Lady Alice Peckett, the wife of John Peckett, former Lord Mayor of York, and onetime owner of the inn.
Many guests and members of staff have laid eyes on Alice, wandering the cramped dark corridors late at night, and walking up and down the old wooden staircase.
The Haunted Golden Fleece Inn6. Jamaica Inn, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall
Located on the borders of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, this stunning 18th century coaching inn is well known for its tales of pirates, smugglers, and murderers. It gained worldwide notoriety having been the location of the novel ‘Jamaica Inn’ by author, Daphne du Maurier.
Any location with such a long and colourful history is sure to have a ghost or two hiding within, however, the Jamaica Inn is overflowing with ghosts, and paranormal activity is rife here. So much so the inn run their own regular ghost hunts, and paranormal invetigators travel from all over to witness it firsthand.
A few of the reports here contain disembodied voices talking in Cornish; the full-bodied apparition of a man in a hat and cloak; and phantom footsteps coming from empty rooms. There are of course more, we’ve only just scratched the surface!
The Haunted Jamaica Inn7. Ballygally Hotel, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
Ballygally Castle is a beautiful 17th Century castle perched on the famous Causeway Coastal Route in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. With views of the golden sands of Ballygally Bay, and stunning views out to the Irish Sea, the hotel is an ideal getaway for anyone wishing to unwind.
Having been featured on numerous lists of the most haunted hotels in the world, we couldn’t leave it off our list of the most haunted hotels in Britain could we!
Perhaps one of the oldest known hauntings on this list is the ghost of Lady Isobel Shaw, the wife of Lord James Shaw. When she couldn’t provide him with a male heir, Shaw threw her in a room at the top of the castle, and locked her in. She tried to escape but tragically fell to her death on the rocks below.
Her ghost can be seen wandering around the castle, and guests experience a chilling presense in their rooms, hear unexplained noises and disembodied voices.
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