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


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Manchester Hotels

Mere Court Hotel

Mere Court Hotel

Country House Hotel in 7 acres of gardens formerly a family home but now lovingly restored to a fine country house hotel offering luxury accommodation including a 4 poster room with double jaquzzi bath.

The Lakeside rooms offer king size beds all with jaquzzi baths.

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Monton House Hotel

Monton House Hotel

Part of Venture Hotels Ltd a 62 ensuite bedroom hotel with excellent facilities including modem points and superb location for the business and leisure traveller and conference meeting.

1 mile from J2 of the M602 minutes from the M60 and 10 minutes from Manchester City Centre.

Local attractions include the Lowary Trafford Centre Manchester United FC.

Superb One One Six Restaurant open throughout the evenings.

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My-Places (3 Bedroom House)

My-Places (3 Bedroom House)

Large 3 4 bedroom house in the City Centre.

One of our best luxury properties to let in Manchester yet and is available for short term let Close to shopping centres and the Manchester Aquatics Centre and just a bus ride away from the huge mall the Trafford Centre .

Fully furnished with a 42inch Plasma TV SKY Wireless internet fully integrated kitchen .

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My-Places Professional Budget Rooms

My-Places Professional Budget Rooms

Minutes away from Manchester M.

E.

N Arena .

A new well presented 6 bedroom detached property 6 self contained individual rooms.

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Northern Quarter Apartments - Icon

Northern Quarter Apartments - Icon

Located in the fashionable Northern Quarter these apartments offer luxury bathrooms high spec kitchens and a large terrace.

Only minutes from MEN arena and close enough to all the shops but far enough to be able to relax.

All payment excepted 3 surchage for credit cards only and sorry NO AMEX .

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Northern Quarter Apartments - Market Buildings

Northern Quarter Apartments - Market Buildings

In the heart of Manchesters trendy Northern Quarter this DUPLEX aprtment offers so much more than a hotel room at a price that won't hurt the pocket.

Large Sony TV comfy Egyptian cotton bedding and amazing power shower could it get any better The apartments is set in one of Manchesters oldest buildings a 150 year old market building.

Completely renovated for delux comfort.

Payments on arrival include CASH DEBIT CARD CREDIT CARD 3 surcharge on credit cards Sorry NO AMEX.

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Novotel Manchester City Centre

Novotel  Manchester  City  Centre

Novotel Manchester Centre is located in the city centre just off Portland Street opposite the gates of Chinatown.

Manchester Piccadilly railway station is 5 minutes and Manchester International Airport is 15 minutes from the hotel.

Manchester's new Convention Centre is 5 minutes walk from the hotel as is the G MEX Centre.

Please be aware on check in a credit card is required for authorisation for extras of 50.

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Old Trafford Lodge

Old Trafford Lodge

Staying at the Old Trafford Lodge gives you the opportunity to spend the night at one of the most prestigious sporting venues in the North.

Upgrade to an executive room and enjoy the view of our famous pitch from your private balcony.

Parking is complimentary.

Everything is on your doorstep if you are visiting the G Mex or Bridgewater Hall we ar just 4 stops away on the Metrolink which is adjacent to the cricket club.

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Palace Hotel

Palace Hotel

Situated right in the heart of the city centre the Palace Hotel is a recognised landmark of Manchester thanks to its distinctive 217ft tall clock tower.

Once home to the Refuge Assurance Company this magnificent terracotta grade II listed building has recently undergone a major 7 million refurbishment and investment programme to enable us to offer the ultimate in luxury hotel accommodation facilities and standards.

The hotel stands directly opposite the Palace Theatre and is just a short journey from the Opera House and Bridgewater Hall home of the famous Halle Orchestra.

Close by are many excellent museums and art galleries and the grounds for the city s two premiership football teams.

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Premier Apartments Manchester

Premier Apartments Manchester

The Icon 25 is a brand new development of 60 bright and stylish contemporary apartments consisting of one and two bedrooms.

They are ideal for short or long stay so whether for business or pleasure they provide a perfect alternative to a traditional hotel.

The Icon 25 is located within easy reach of the recently regenerated city centre with its vivacious cultural life.

The apartments are close to the many sophisticated shops in the Deansgate the Arndale Centre Printworks and Triangle as well as Urbis the new museum of urban life.

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