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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The Bridge

The Bridge

This fabulous development is situated in one of the best positions in Manchester.

Everything the city centre has to offer is on your doorstep however the development has a peaceful position next to the River Irwell and the five star Lowry Hotel.

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The Bridge

The Bridge

This fabulous development is situated in one of the best positions in Manchester.

Everything the city centre has to offer is on your doorstep however the development has a peaceful position next to the River Irwell and the five star Lowry Hotel.

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The Edge

The Edge

A truly unique property this one million pound triplex penthouse offers the ultimate in city living.

The award winning development has manchesters' trendiest bars finest restaurants and best shops on it's doorstep.

This triplex penthouse apartment comprises two luxury double bedrooms extravagant en suite in master deluxe main bathroom double height open plan living kitchen area WC two large storage rooms two huge wrap around balconies and a magnificent mezzanine level which has amazing views of Manchester city centre.

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The Edge

The Edge

The award winning development has Manchesters' trendiest bars finest restaurants and best shops on it's doorstep.

Located next to the River Irwell and the five star Lowry Hotel The Edge truly is a cut above the rest and cannot be topped for city living .

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The Edge Serviced Apartments

The Edge Serviced Apartments

The Edge Serviced Apartment is located in the city centre adjacent to the 5 Lowry Hotel and restaurant and a stride from Selfridges Harvey Nichols and all the renound city centre bars and restaurants.

This luxurious apartment is available for daily weekly or monthly rental newly built and sleeps two.

The apartment is Ben De Lisi designed and beautifully furnished throughout with LCD TV DVD CD player and fully equipped modern kitchen.

The apartment has super views of Manchester and is in a quiet location next to the river.

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Your Space Apartments

Your Space Apartments

These apartments are spacious and airy with modern and comfortable furnishings.

You will also find plasma screen DVD player play station 2 fully self catering free parking and much more.

These apartments boost from being located in the centre of the city and close to the major clubbing and bar region of Deansgate and the trendy Northen Quarter.

Located next close to apartment is the Victoria train station the Manchester Evening News Arena and Manchester fruitful shopping district.

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stayingcool - boutique apartment suites

stayingcool - boutique apartment suites

Apple Mac in every apartment chill out with iTunes plug in your iPod watch TV or a DVD Best central location just off Deansgate and seconds from Selfridges MEN Arena and GMEX The best designers Arne JACOBSEN Robin and Lucienne DAY Tom DIXON EAMES brothers.

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CENTRELUX Apartments The Hacienda - Alicante Barcelona & Valencia Suites

CENTRELUX Apartments  The Hacienda - Alicante  Barcelona &  Valencia Suites

A whole apartment to yourself with that special 'Taste of Spain' Ideal for that Romantic special stay important Business meeting or the serious shopaholic The Alicante Barcelona and Valencia Suites each have an attractive BALCONY with a peaceful view of Deansgate Locks and offer luxurious spacious hi spec double bedroom accommodation featuring quality furnishings comprehensively equipped kitchen Stereo Sound mood lighting 21 inch Satellite TV DVD and luxury bathroom with double size power shower.

There is the added convenience of the 24hr concierge service.

Set in the prestigious landmark Hacienda development this high tech apartment is the perfect City Centre base.

It offers close easy access to the many Business Shopping and Leisure facilities of Manchester City Centre.

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Waterside Serviced Apartments

Waterside Serviced Apartments

Waterside Serviced Apartments located in the ever popular Castlefield area of Manchester City Centre.

The apartments have soothing waterside views and are furnished to a high standard taking into account all your needs.

The apartments have unlimited parking allocations and are situated next to the infamous Harry Ramsdens restaurant on the A57 making them easy to access from the transport networks avoiding the hustle of City Centre traffic.

With only a 10 minute walk to Manchester' busiest bars and shops a perfect location for saving time and money parking .

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Blue Rainbow Apartments - Deansgate Central

Blue Rainbow Apartments - Deansgate Central

A whole luxury apartment not just a hotel room Fantastic new development right in the heart of the city Modern One bed apartments with luxury furnishings Riverside location Everything the pulsating heart of Manchester has to offer right outside your front door Discounts off many top restaurants with apartment key card Exclusive discounted day gym membership available from 4.

00 Full laundry service available Restaurants bars health spas and cinemas complete with 25 screens on your doorstep A great range of shops from the likes of Selfridges to Harvey Nicks all within easy walking distance 24 Hour Concierge service FREE Car parking for 1 vehicle All apartments are individual in design with luxury furnishings Fully stocked with a choice of Twinings teas and Illy coffee Complimentary Bread milk jams butter cereals fruit juice Fresh towels Luxury bathrobes bedding supplied ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS INCLUDING AMEX ACCEPTED Dates full that you require Need 2 bedrooms Then check out our 2nd site Whitworth Street.

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