Many of Britain’s hotels have taken on a ghostly aura. Far from scaring off potential visitors, inexplicable phenomena seem to be a highly marketable asset these days. In hostelries throughout the land, Grey Ladies (or Ladies in Black, or White, or Blue, occasionally a daring shade of Red) are reported to drift through walls and float over lakes, accompanied by spectral orbs and sudden icy chills. Hooves clatter at midnight, ghostly legions march past along old Roman roads, doors lock and unlock of their own accord, and hidden children laugh or sob on secret stairwells.

Historic buildings in atmospheric surroundings – of which Britain, with its long history, has many -- predictably take the lead in these alleged phenomena, coaxing medieval monks, Victorian serving girls, and unhappy lovers to revisit old haunts. If some grisly tale of a tragic death can be unearthed from bygone days, or better still, a skeleton in a cupboard somewhere, the psychic portents perk up no end. Specialist short-break operators can arrange all sorts of hair-raising experiences involving séances, dowsing rods and ouija boards for hopeful ghost-hunters, or at least, a promising setting in which they might just happen. Of course, nothing is guaranteed and the chances are you will enjoy a perfect night’s rest.

For most of us, the faint chance of some other-worldly experience adds no more than an amusing frisson to a hotel stay – at least, in broad daylight. For others, it’s a serious quest to prove there are more things in heaven and earth, undertaken only with quantities of recording equipment and a determination to stay awake all night. Certain hotels crop up repeatedly on the paranormal lists. Cornwall, in South-West England, famed as a land of myths and legends, is a classic venue for ghosts. Guests and staff of the Wellington Hotel in Boscastle have experienced many strange apparitions, dark shapes and inexplicable sounds, including a figure in period dress vanishing into a wall and an old lady passing through a closed bedroom door. Not to mention the mystifying case of a small dog (a real one belonging to a writer staying at the hotel), which suddenly got up and trotted out one night yapping and wagging ts tail as if being taken for a walk by some unseen presence.Immortalised in Daphne du Maurier’s novel, Jamaica Inn, once on a wild and lonely turnpike road across Bodmin Moor, has strong associations with smugglers.

Disembodied voices speak in the long-dead Cornish language, and a coach and horses crunches across the gravelled courtyard at midnight ... In fact, that courtyard was resurfaced with cobbles recently, yet the noise of the metal-rimmed wheels remains

the same as in olden times. Odd, isn’t it? But even odder is the stranger in 18th-century dress repeatedly observed sitting on a wall outside the inn. He neither speaks nor moves, but bears an uncanny resemblance to a former guest summoned by a message to meet someone outside. He left the bar and his half-finished tankard of ale, and was later discovered murdered on the moor. Has he returned to finish his drink? Coaching tales are a recurrent theme in some of our fine old former coaching inns.

The Molesworth Arms in Wadebridge is reputedly visited by a ghostly stagecoach at midnight on New Year’s Eve, its four horses whipped on by a headless coachman. At Dartmouth’s Royal Castle in Devon, a mysterious coach and horses draws up at the entrance to collect an unknown passenger and vanish into the night. The 15th-century

Holt Hotel at Steeple Aston in Oxfordshire is haunted by the notorious highwayman Claude Duval, a former footman to the Duke of Richmond. He was apparently so popular with lady victims that tearful petitions for his pardon accompanied him to his execution. A handsome timbered inn called The Feathers in Ludlow, Shropshire has several interesting ghosts. One is a woman who tries to drive rivals away by pulling their hair (beware Room 211 if you’re the female half of a couple staying here). Another is a Victorian gentleman with a dog, and a third seems to be a more modern apparition who confines her appearances to men only. She’s a pretty thing in a miniskirt and a see-through blouse who walks straight through cars parked outside. One shocked guest who witnessed this young lady felt in urgent need of a restorative brandy. Relaying his experience to the hotel barman, he was soon interrupted with the news that she had appeared to several guests on previous occasions.

One of London’s most haunted hotels is the five-star Langham opposite the BBC’s Broadcasting House. Its spectral residents include a silver-haired doctor who murdered his bride while on honeymoon, and a German officer who killed himself shortly before the outbreak of the First World War. Room 333 is said to be a haunted bedroom, as numerous BBC journalists attest.

Ruthin Castle, now a hotel in Denbighshire, North Wales, has a resident Grey Lady, believed to be the wife of one of King Edward I’s lieutenants. She murdered her husband’s mistress with an axe in a jealous rage and was later executed herself. The hotel is noted for its medieval-style banquets. Not all ghosts are sinister or ill-intentioned. In the spa town of Cheltenham’s De La Bere Hotel, a 15th-century manor house once used as a girls’ school, a former matron paces the corridors at night to check that her charges are behaving. In Scotland, Edinburgh’s four-star Royal Terrace Hotel is another much-haunted venue, whose blithe spirits include a nurse in 19th-century uniform, a child from the 1800s, and a gentleman enjoying a drink at the bar. There are also reports of cupboards opening and unbidden noises and movements.

For details of supernatural stays in some of the hotels mentioned above, contact

Haunting Breaks, www.hauntingbreaks.co.uk; tel: 01686 420301. Other spooky websites

include www.hauntedhotelguide.com and www.paranormaltours.com. To plan every aspect

of your holiday in Britain, and search a comprehensive database of quality-assured

accommodation, see www.visitbritain.com

 

Manchester Hotel Search


Town, Postcode, Attraction...
Enjoy Great Britain
Manchester Visitor Guide arrow Manchester Hotels arrow City Centre Chic -- The Edge

City Centre Chic -- The Edge

Hotels in Manchester - 4* hotels in Manchester City Centre

City Centre Chic -- The Edge

The Edge is a prestigious high class development in the heart of City Centre Manchester.

Ideally situated on the banks of the River Irwell adjacent to the 5 star Lowry Hotel.

A 1 minute walk across the bridge and you will find yourself amid the hustle and bustle of Deansgate home to many 'chic boutiques' such as Harvey Nichols Selfridges and Louis Vuitton as well as a host of stylish cafe bars restaurants clubs.

Many of the city centre attractions can also be found nearby including the MEN Arena Urbis G Mex and the vibrant business district is only a short distance away.

Book online | Check Availability

In terms of location The Edge offers the ultimate experience for the discerning city explorer businessman and shopaholic alike luxury executive apartment is located on the 11th floor of the building and has spectacular views of the river and the city centre skyline.

Furnished to an extremely high standard in a contemporary style the apartment has one double bedroom with en suite 1 single bedroom 2nd bathroom living dining kitchen area and a fabulous river facing balcony.

A 42 inch Plasma TV DVD VCR CD player microwave refrigerator with basic provisions telephone fax and high speed wireless internet are all provided for your convenience and entertainment.

Please note unfortunately we do not accept children under the age of 12.

The triplex apartment that sleeps four is located on the 15th 16th and 17th Floor of the building and has amazing views of the river city centre skyline and gardens.

This apartment is furnished to the highest standard possible.

This apartment has Plasma TV s in the lounge and bedrooms stereo Apple Mac telephone fax and Playstation.

The apartment compromises of Ground floor A double bedroom with an en suite and a furnished balcony with river and garden views.

A full working office complete with Apple Mac fax and phone.

High speed wireless internet is available throughout the apartment.

Second floor An open plan lounge kitchen which leads on to the fabulous large furnished terrace.

The kitchen has a microwave oven refrigerator and provisions.

Third floor A fantastic room This is the second bedroom.

It has a mezzanine floor which overlooks the terrace and lounge and has the most spectacular views of the city.

The bedroom is complete with a lounge and dressing area.

Please note unfortunately we do not accept children under the age of 12.

.

City Centre Chic -- The Edge Information

 City Centre Chic -- The EdgeStar Rating 5D stars
No of Rooms 2 rooms
Availability Check Availiability
BookingsBook Online


Address:

Clowes Street
Manchester City Centre
M3 5ND

Directions:

For full directions to The Edge a map with comprehensive directions may be provided upon request.

Location Map:

Book online | Check Availability

Additional Information:

 City Centre Chic -- The Edge - Manchester City Centre hotels at LATE RATES - Hotels in Manchester City Centre hotel rooms near Manchester City Centre Wales

 
< Prev   Next >
© 2008 enjoymanchester.co.uk
Aberdeen | Bath | Bedfordshire | Belfast | Berkshire | Birmingham | Blackpool | Brighton | Bristol | Britain | Buckinghamshire | Cambridge | Cambridgeshire | Cardiff | Cheshire | Chester | Cumbria | Derbyshire | Devon | Dorset | Durham | Edinburgh | England | Essex | Glasgow | Gloucestershire | GreatBritain | Hadrian's Wall | Hampshire | Herefordshire | Hertfordshire | Hull | Ireland | Jersey | Kent | Lancashire | Leeds | Leicestershire | Lincolnshire | Liverpool | London | Manchester | Newcastle | Norfolk | North East England | Northumberland | Northumbria | Nottingham | Northamptonshire | Nottinghamshire | Oxford | Oxfordshire | Reading | Scotland | Sheffield | Shropshire | Somerset | Staffordshire | Stratford | Suffolk | Surrey | Sussex | The Cotswolds | The Highlands | The Lake District | The Peak District | Tynedale | UK | Wales | Warwickshire | Wiltshire | Windsor | Worcestershire | York | Yorkshire