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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Manchester Hotels

De Vere Venues Cheadle House

De Vere Venues Cheadle House

Cheadle House is located only 4 miles from Manchester International Airport and 1 mile from junction 3 of the M60.

For those guests looking for a quiet and relaxed enviroment Cheadle House is an ideal stop for a good night sleep.

Restaurant and Bar facilities are available.

Continental Breakfast is served on a Saturday and Sunday.

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Best Western Hotel Smokies Park

Best Western Hotel Smokies Park

Award wining Italian Restaurant 'Cosi Fan Tutti'.

Mini Gym Sauna and Steamroom Solarium.

Conference and Banqueting facilities.

Wedding Venue.

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Express by Holiday Inn Manchester Salford Quays

Express by Holiday Inn Manchester Salford Quays

Welcome to the Express by Holiday Inn Manchester Salford Quays hotel Our Manchester hotel is located in thriving Salford Quays surrounded by the water and history of the Manchester Shop Canal and within one mile of Manchester United Football Club the Imperial War Museum the Lowry Theatre and the Imperial War Museum.

This superb location ensures that Express by Holiday Inn Manchester Salford Quays is the perfect choice whether you re travelling on business or pleasure.

Our hotel in Manchester is designed to provide consistent value for money and our great rates are inclusive of complimentary continental breakfast which is served in the comfort of our newly refurbished Great Room lounge.

In addition guests also benefit from free and secure car parking.

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The Holiday Inn Manchester West

The Holiday Inn Manchester West

Welcome to the Holiday Inn Manchester West a brand new refurbished modern stylish hotel offering exceptional standards of comfort and service combined with a distinctive personality and ambience giving the holiday Inn the top choice rating amongst business leisure traveller.

Here at the Holiday Inn Manchester west we are ideally situated for both Leisure and corporate guests.

Located just off the M602 Jct 3 within minutes from Salford Quays Old Trafford and the Trafford Centre.

The City Centre of Manchester is only a few minutes away offering a fine shopping experience including the likes of Harvey Nichols Selfridges with restaurants bars and theatres all within easy reach.

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The Drop Inn

The Drop Inn

The Drop Inn Sports Bar and Hotel is ideally situated minuits from the Centre of Manchester and all its attractions.

With its 29 en suite bedrooms the Hotel provides excellent value for money place to stay for anyone visiting Manchester.

The bar attatched shows all the major sporting events on big screen TV's and offers good pub grub througout the evenings.

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Bewley's Hotel

Bewley's Hotel

Modern friendly hotel with open plan public areas.

150 cover restaurant offering nightly a la carte with children's menu.

Bewleys lounge offers hot and cold snacks from 10.

00 a.

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Etrop Grange Hotel

Etrop Grange Hotel

This gracious Grade II listed Georgian Mansion was built in 1780 and although just a short distance from Manchester Airport is anything but an airport hotel The stately facade is matched by a luxurious interior that reflects the character of the Georgian era.

It is an attractive country house hotel and restaurant hidden away that has a fine reputation locally.

IMPORTANT NOTICE Applicable to Arrivals 24th 26th February 2007 Due to essential maintenance works being carried out on the hotel kitchens there will be no meal service food available over this date period.

Local eating establishments are available please contact the hotel directly.

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Holiday Inn Manchester Airport

Holiday Inn Manchester Airport

Located south of the city the hotel is enviably situated near to Manchester Airport and yet overlooks a Cheshire Country park.

With 126 beautifully decorated bedrooms the business and leisure traveller will enjoy the pleasant location convenient for Manchester and only a walk away from Quarry Bank Mill.

With 11 state of the art meeting rooms and facilities to accommodate up to 400 delegates an exceptional travel network and extensive car parking the hotel is an excellent destination for conferences of all sizes.

Enjoy the dining experience in the Terrace Restaurant or try out the healthy menu in the Club bar.

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Legacy Bramhall County Hotel

Legacy Bramhall County Hotel

Please note this hotel closes 31 03 2007 Situated just a short drive from Manchester and its airport The Bramhall County Hotel offers you a warm welcome and a comfortable stay whether you re having a business meeting or holding a wedding reception.

Located in Bramhall village why not enjoy a relaxing stay whilst being close to the centre of Stockport and only a short drive from Manchester Airport at a fraction of the price Manchester is one of the most vibrant and dynamic places in the UK.

Across the Greater Manchester region you'll find a wonderful variety of things to see do and experience.

Whether shopping eating out cultural pursuits outdoor activities or anything in between.

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Green Quarter Serviced Apartments

Green Quarter Serviced Apartments

EXCELLENT LOCATION LOWEST INTERNET RATES AND MODERN INTERIORS.

Modern Chic and comfortable centrally located apartments.

Situated in gardens.

This complex has recently won awards for it design and structure.

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