From the ghost of a watchman to a lady who was thrown down a castle’s well: These are the UK’s most haunted hotels where you can spend Halloween
With murdered monks and snubbed maids out for revenge... these guest houses are not for the faint-hearted
DO you fancy spending the night at a haunted hotel this Halloween?
These Great British inns are all rumoured to be spooked by a ghost or two, according to . Are you brave enough to visit?
1. The Feathers Hotel, Ludlow, Shropshire
This 17th century coaching inn, and Grade I listed building, is just as famous for its ghostly activity as it is for its grand Tudor beams.
A jealous woman-hating spirit, a scantily clad lady wearing nothing but clogs, and a male dog walker have all been seen roaming its halls.
One female guest to room 211 even reported being dragged out of bed by her hair, before awaking to find herself soaked and the bed bone dry.
While her partner got nothing worse than a gentle stroke to the face.
And another ghost can be seen walking around the car park completely naked – apart from her shoes.
Prices start at £85 for a single and £110 for a double room.
2. Tudor House Hotel, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire
If you’re looking for someone to tuck you into bed on a cold winter night, this guesthouse could be the perfect place for you.
The 16th century hotel has a rich paranormal history – most frequently cited is a ghost now known as the grey lady, who vanishes when she reaches a doorway.
She’s believed to be the spectre of a maid, who likes to tuck people into bed.
Rumour has it this young woman committed suicide by leaping out of a top floor window, because of cruel treatment from her mistress.
The building is also haunted by a black Labrador and a small drummer boy, who has woken guests in the middle of the night with the sound of his kettle drum.
Prices start at £65.
3. Red Lion Hotel, Colchester, Essex
This stunning Grade I listed coaching inn is found in Colchester, the UK’s oldest recorded town.
There are three main ghosts in this hotel.
Alice Catherine Millar was reportedly murdered in the hotel in 1638, and the door to her old room has been bricked up by terrified staff.
On one occasion, the assistant manager was asleep in his room when he awoke to what felt like a bolt of electricity running through his body.
A female ghost was sitting in a swinging rocking chair, and asked him if he was ok before disappearing when he said yes.
There is also a hooded monk, who is thought to have died in a fire when saving children who were in his care.
The third ghost is of a small boy, who has been spotted in the parliament room – and often appears in pictures.
Prices from £70.
4. Grosvenor Hotel, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Once voted the fifth most haunted hotel in Britain, there is no shortage of ghosts in this 16th century coaching inn.
A hooded monk haunts the cellar while the Grey Lady, a nun who escaped from a nearby Abbey, walks the corridors at the dead of night.
While a young girl supposedly pulls guests’ bedsheets off in the middle of the night.
Prices from £110 for a double room.
5. Lumley Castle Hotel, County Durham
This magnificent castle is said to be the most haunted place in Durham.
The 14th century lady of the manor, Lily Lumley, was supposedly murdered and thrown down a well in the castle grounds, because she refused to join the Catholic faith.
The hotel hit the headlines in 2005, when some of the Australian cricket team refused to sleep on their own because of the spooky goings-on.
While the West Indian cricket team checked out early in 2000 for the same reason.
A mischievous poltergeist called Black Jack is said to play pranks, slide glasses off tables and move guests’ belongings.
While kids can be heard talking, laughing and screaming on the top floor – and a strange man is said to sit on the corner of the bar.
Prices from £75 for a single and £99 for a double room.
6. Schooner Hotel, Alnmouth, Northumberland
This Grade II listed building has played host to killers, smugglers and vagabonds – while there are tales of suicides, murders and even family massacres within its walls.
Some 60 ghosts are said to haunt its rooms and, with over 3,000 paranormal reports, it has been named the most haunted hotel in Britain.
Most frightening was when a dark figure darted out of room 20, banged into the fire doors directly opposite, and turned towards the two staff members who had witnessed it – heading quickly in their direction.
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Guests have awoken to find a figure standing at the end of their beds, while a little boy plays Knock Down Ginger in the corridor.
A solider and maid are also said to haunt the hotel. Of the 32 rooms, all of them have had reports of paranormal activity.
If you believe in ghosts, you’ll be sure to find them here!
Prices from £40.
7. Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry, Warwickshire
This former monastery is home to the ghost of Abbott Geoffrey, who was brutally murdered in 1345. His killer was never found.
There is also a green-eyed girl, known as Matilda, who became pregnant by the master of the house – and was rejected when he refused to accept the child was his.
The stablehand’s baby was stillborn, and she cursed the house. Several children of the Craven family died young in the following years.
Her ghost has spooked guests so badly they were forced to run out of their rooms.
A horseman has been spotted riding near the lodge house, and a woman in Victorian dress cycling down the road.
Feast at the hotel’s medieval banquet – prices start at £29 for a four-course meal, wine, entertainment and disco.
Overnight stays from £139.
8. The Bull Hotel, Long Melford, Suffolk
The ghost of murdered Richard Evered has haunted this hotel since 1648.
The story says that two men were having an argument about politics which became heated, and one stabbed the other.
He was laid out in the hallway but when people returned to help, Richard’s body had disappeared.
Prices start at £80.
9. Ramada, Crawley, West Sussex
Formerly known as the George Hotel, this inn is said to be haunted by a watchman known as Mark Hurston.
He reportedly died after drinking poisoned wine – which was either planted to trap thieves who kept breaking in, or an angry guest who Mark kept waking at night.
Spooky goings-on include a broom cupboard which is often found open, despite the door being locked, and lights which flick on and off.