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

 

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GREAT NORTHERN SANCTUARY APARTMENT

GREAT NORTHERN SANCTUARY APARTMENT

 

Discover and enjoy the warmth and comfort of our luxurious one bedroom apartment at the Great Northern Sanctuary Apartment.

An oasis of calm where you can take time to rebalance your mind and body relax and unwind.

Simply perfect for the more discerning client looking for that special quality and personal touch.

Situated in the heart of Manchester close to the G Mex and main rail links with an NCP Car Park right next door Close by are MANCHESTER CENTRAL DEANSGATE MAIN SHOPPING AREAS OPERA HOUSE BRIDGEWATER HALL AND GRANADA TV STUDIOS.

 

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Gardens Hotel-City Centre

Gardens Hotel-City Centre

Hotel is situated in the heart of Manchester in Piccadilly Gardens close to the railway station and all shops and theatres and nightlife is moments away.

The hotel boasts five floors of superbly decorated accommodation.

The hotel is within walking distance of Piccadilly Station the Metrolink theatres and the Arndale Centre.

Gardens Hotel offers comfortably appointed rooms the Le Jardin restaurant lounge bar and meeting facilities.

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Golden Tulip Hotel Manchester

Golden Tulip Hotel Manchester

The newly refurbished Golden Tulip Manchester is a contemporary oasis suitable for business leisure travellers alike.

Situated at The Quays just opposite Manchester United s Stadium the bedrooms are stylish comfortable there is a choice of bars and Watersreach Restaurant boasts 2AA Rosettes.

No matter how long you stay there s always something going on in Manchester whether at the Lowry Centre Outlet Mall or at one of the many bars and eateries in city centre Manchester.

Only 3 miles from the M60 there is also plentiful complimentary car parking.

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Great Northern Tower

Great Northern Tower

 

Located in the heart of Manchester City Centre.

This luxury apartment is available for rent 7 days a week.

The apartment sleeps 4 people Reception Room Service Parking Facilities near by Best position in Manchester 2 mile from Manchester United Stadium 1 2 Mile from Manchester MEN Arena 100m from the GMEX Centre 200m from Metro Tram Line Serviced Apartments Manchester gives you the space and independence to do exactly what you want when you want while your away.

Renting Serviced Apartments Manchester means you can relax with friends come and go as you please whilst staying in your own private luxury apartment.

 

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Great Northern Tower Apartments

Great Northern Tower Apartments

Newly built apartments right in the centre of Britains coolest city.

Two Large Bedrooms two bathrooms and great size living rooms located right in the centre surounded by manchesters busiest bars and restaurants.

Complimentary Tea and Coffee Small Lcd Tv Credit card accepted with 3 surcharge.

We do not accept american express.

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Harpers Hotel

Harpers Hotel

A warm and friendly hotel with great positioning for both the City of Manchester Stadium and Old Trafford.

We are 5 minutes from Manchester City Centre making us a great place to stay for all the music and entertainment venues in town.

All the rooms are en suite.

Convenient to buses shops supermarket local markets library and sports centre.

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Hendham House

Hendham House

 

Stunning listed Victorian mansion offering comfortable and cosy bedrooms.

Perfect urban hideaway only 5 mins away from Sportcity and the heart of Manchester.

Friendly and helpful staff speaks 5 languages.

Classy affordable in house dinning available from our continental chef.

 

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Hilton Chambers

Hilton Chambers

With Manchester s vibrant musical heart beating on our doorstep the Hilton Chambers is ideal for any short or not so short stay in Manchester and for anyone who wishes to explore the fascinating musical and industrial heritage of this cracking city.

Only opened since March this year the Hilton Chambers offers modern and spacious ensuite private double rooms with the biggest and softest beds you're ever likely to fall into electronic key card access as well as TV and free broadband internet connection.

Our dormitory rooms are also en suite and can sleep up to six persons comfortably and will suit families or groups of friends coming to the city.

No TV's in these rooms however as we try to do what we can to help others in dormitories get some rest.

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Holiday Inn Manchester Central Park

Holiday Inn Manchester Central Park

Newly opened in May 2005 the Holiday Inn Manchester Central Park is located near to Sportcity Manchester City Football Club and close to Manchester City Centre.

The 83 en suite bedrooms are excellently furnished to a very high standard with super king size beds.

The contemporary styled restaurant can seat up to 60 people in ambient surroundings with a fully stocked bar fine wines beers and spirits.

Meeting facilities offer natural daylight and audio visual equipment on request.

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Hotel International

Hotel International

Budget Hotel in the centre of Manchester less than one minute from Manchester's main railway station.

The Hotel is centrally located with all local attractions are within walking distance and the tram metrolink is outside the door.

Situated on the edge of Manchester's famous Gay Village.

Please note the hotel attracts a large gay customer base at weekends Manchester Apollo is less tha half a mile away and the MEN Arena is only four tram stopns.

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