Whether you are a serious ghost hunter or a complete sceptic, we have compiled a collection of beautiful hotels spanning the centuries, that include all the history, mystery, and urban legend you could hope for this Halloween.
Are you brave enough to stay at one of these frighteningly great haunted hotels?
Brave The Lord John Darcy Suite at Mosborough Hall
Mosborough Hall is steeped in history including fantastic stories of the scandalous affairs that took place here over the years, including that of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Theirs wasn’t the only love affair connected to Mosborough Hall that ended in disaster though. Back in the late 1600’s a governess at the hall became pregnant following a dalliance with the Squire. He promised he would provide her with money and a small cottage, but then reneged on his promise claiming financial hardship. The couple argued and it’s believed the governess threatened to tell his wife of the affair. Shortly afterwards the Squire visited her room on the pretext of keeping his promise and in a moment of desperation slit the poor girl’s throat. Since then, the spectre of a white lady has been seen numerous times by visitors to the hall and she is said to haunt The Lord John Darcy Suite.
From affairs of the heart to a much more civilised affair, would you stay in the haunted suite at Mosborough Hall?
Join the poltergeist party at The Crown Hotel in Harrogate
Dating back to 1660 a lot has gone on in and around the grounds of The Crown Hotel over the years. It grew considerably due to an influx of visitors and much of the hotel you see today was built around 1870. The grand ballroom, which was once used as a hospital during WWII has entertained a wealth of poltergeist activity. It’s been said that many guests and staff have watched in disbelief as a man dressed in an RAF uniform walks across the stage, only to disappear into the wings.
Book a haunted hotel stay at Dalhousie Castle to meet Lady Catherine
Dating all the way back to the 13th century Dalhousie Castle has seen many people pass through its doors over the years. Today it is a luxury Hotel & Spa, however the venue is allegedly still haunted by several ghosts from its past including Sir Alexander Ramsay who was starved to death in the dungeon of the castle in 1342 by a jealous rival. Perhaps the spookiest ghost at Dalhousie Castle is that of the lovelorn Lady Catherine though. Banished to the Castle Tower in 1695, Lady Catherine was locked in the tower after being caught with a stable hand and died there of a broken heart. Many people have reported seeing her around the castle and often she is mistaken for a member of staff. Other guests have reported seeing a woman in their rooms, waving from windows and even sitting at the end of their beds!
Why not banish yourself to the Castle Tower Suite? It’s a lot more luxurious these days and the perfect choice if you’re looking for a haunted hotel stay!
Are you brave enough to stay at The Wood Norton?
The Wood Norton is a wonderful example of Victorian grandeur and wealth, and it was the last home in England of Prince Philippe, Duke of Orléans, fourth Son of the King of France. The Wood Norton has its fair share of ghosts, including the Duchess herself who allegedly still roams her wing of the house in a white nightdress. In fact, The Wood Norton is so spooky that there are certain rooms here that the staff refuse to go into alone, and it’s not just the inside of the property that is said to be haunted. Venture into the woods where 100 years ago one of the groundsmen was murdered by poachers and you might just see his ghost near the spot where his body was found, apparently still keeping a watchful eye on the place.
And if that wasn’t enough, you can ask the staff about some of the other ghostly goings on here, including the spectre of the black panther that supposedly prowls the grounds. Would you be brave enough to stay the night at this haunted hotel?
Beware the Green Lady at Atholl Palace
Atholl Palace is a castellated hotel, built in 1875. It is reportedly haunted by a ‘Green Lady’. Her spectre has been witnessed by staff and guests in one of the bedrooms in the hotel and in the corridor just outside the room. She appears so frequently it’s rumoured that the management no longer assign this room to guests due to the sheer number of complaints received in the middle of the night from startled occupants who have encountered the mysterious Green Lady.
If you book a halloween break at this hotel, don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Book a haunted hotel stay in room 15 at The Swan at Lavenham, if you dare…
Back in the eighteen hundreds, when the The Swan at Lavenham was a thriving coaching Inn, one of the unmarried housekeepers fell pregnant. The baby’s father agreed he would marry her to save her reputation. However, on the day of the wedding he jilted his pregnant bride at the altar. She was inconsolable and fled back to her quarters at the inn. It is claimed the poor woman hung herself in what is now room 15. Recently a security guard working alone one night claimed that as he was doing his final checks, he encountered her. She scared him out of his wits and sent him running in the other direction. Several other guests have reported seeing her, although they claim to have been startled rather than scared.
Are you brave enough to stay in room 15?
Brave the haunted pathway at Bodysgallen Hall & Spa
Bodysgallen Hall & Spa is a Jacobean house said to be haunted by a white lady, as well as being rumoured to have secret tunnels running beneath it. However, it is what happened outside Bodysgallen Hall in 1959 that drew the attention of the local press. Gareth Jones, a now-retired police officer, reported seeing a ghostly apparition of a mysterious hooded figure lurking at the end of an ancient footpath leading from the church to Bodysgallen Hall. The suspicious figure was so clearly visible it prompted the police officer to pull over, only for it to evaporate right in front of his eyes. After reporting the incident, he was amazed to hear the same thing had happened back in the 1930s to the father of one of his colleagues. The pathway is known locally as The Monks Walk, as it is said that Monks carried the stones needed to build Llanrhos Church along this little lane.
Would you dare to stay at this haunted hotel and walk down this pathway after dark?
Brave a haunted house stay at Langley Castle and solve the mystery of the Grey Lady
For decades it was believed that the Grey Lady haunting Langley Castle was Maud de Lucy, who on hearing the news that her husband had been killed in battle was so overcome with grief that she threw herself out of the castle window. However, a study of the genealogy of the De Lucy family has made hotel staff question the identity of the mysterious Grey Lady. Maud’s first husband died in battle in 1381 but she later remarried. When she died in 1398 her second husband was still alive, which debunks the claim the ghost is Maud. It is now believed the ghost is more likely to be Agnes de Beaumont, a relative of King Edward III and stepmother to Maud. She was born in 1323, but the circumstances of her death are shrouded in mystery.
If you saw the Grey Lady, would you be brave enough to ask what her name is, so we can finally solve this mystery once and for all?
Celebrate this Halloween with a haunted hotel stay at Nanteos Mansion
It is said that seven monks came to Nanteos Mansion following the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539. The monks fled to Nanteos for safety bringing with them a sacred relic which was reputed to be the Holy Grail. It is claimed the seven monks are still buried within the grounds of the mansion, possibly beneath the basement.
In 1899 estate worker David Rowlands sadly drowned in the lake and visitors have reported seeing a man near the lake waving his hands for help before vanishing. Another ghostly figure that has been identified is that of William Griffiths the stable Groom, who was killed after being attacked with a garden rake by the Head Gardener on 12 October 1782. Occasionally he can be seen standing in the shrubbery as if waiting for someone. At a Summer Fete at Nanteos Mansion in 2014, a visitor encountered the apparition of a young boy sobbing in the corner of the stable yard. The young boy was muttering and worried he was going to be punished for something he had done. This spooked the visitor as he had never experienced anything paranormal before.
If you stay at this haunted hotel and spot the little boy, tell him all is forgiven and he’s not in any trouble.
The haunted hotels showcased here represent just some of the luxury properties we feature throughout the UK. So, whether you are looking for a haunted Halloween break or just want a terrifyingly great hotel deal, browse our complete collection for even more places to stay.
Need a great gift idea? Our luxury hotel vouchers are ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, and all other special occasions. Whether you want to say congratulations, thank-you, or just because – a hotel gift voucher lets the lucky recipient create their own perfect break.
If you would like more information about any of our luxury hotels or require assistance with your reservation, please call our helpful reservations team on 0333 2125 594 or email reservations@offpeakluxury.com
