The Swan Hotel - Lavenham, Sudbury, Suffolk

Hauntings of the Swan Hotel

It is said that a housekeeper who once lived there back when the hotel was a thriving coaching Inn back in the 19th Century, fell pregnant out of wedlock. The baby’s father was happy to marry the lady under the circumstances and promised to look after them both. However, on the wedding day, the gentleman had second thoughts and left the pregnant lady standing at the altar. It is said that after that she became inconsolable and very depressed. What is now room 15 in the Swan Hotel was once the housekeeping quarters, and it is said that the poor woman was found hanging in this room by one of the Inn’s workers.

Another version of the story tells of the same lady hoping for promotion whilst working at the Inn but instead was overlooked which sent her into a deep depression. A different take on the story, but it ended much the same. Her ghost remains behind to chill the spines of those that dare to cross her path. A security guard was working alone late one night at the Swan Hotel, and as he was doing his final checks around the hotel, he came into contact with her, which scared him out of his wits and sent him speeding in the other direction. Several guests have reported having seen her standing in room 15 in the middle of the night. Once a nun was staying in that very room when she awoke startled to feel the ghost tickling her feet!.

About

The Swan Hotel is the epitome of English country life. It sits in the beautiful Suffolk countryside between Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds. The hotel itself has received a Four Star AA rating which makes it one of only four to have done so in the Suffolk/Essex/Norfolk area.

The Swan played an important role in the areas wool trade of the early 1400s. Many of the features of its past remain to this day. At present, the Swan is a thriving and successful traditional hotel that boasts several period features throughout. The old bar was once the main haunt of the local American airmen who were stationed nearby in World War II. The Swan’s 51 non-smoking bedrooms are the ultimate in comfort.

Each room boasts a mix of rich fabrics and luxurious furnishings co-ordinated in soft and mellow colours, while pure linen sheets and feather pillows ensure night time comfort. Named after local Suffolk villages, each bedroom is original in style. Some offer charming split level accommodation whilst others have four-poster beds with a separate relaxation area. Oak beams and panelling abound and you will take great delight wandering through the corridors and discovering the truly original character of The Swan.

Each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, a TV and CD player, trouser press and turn-down service. Suites and Feature Rooms provide the use of fluffy white bathrobes. For special occasions, a bottle of Moet et Chandon, a set of Molton Brown toiletries, a hand-tied bouquet of flowers.