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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Abito Apartments

Abito Apartments

You could not get closer to the MEN if you tried this amazing boutique apartment has high ceilings funky design and a balcony to enjoy the evening on.

Located behind Harvey Nichols Selfridges and beside the MEN arena means its location is second to none.

Parking is availabe next door for a small ammount.

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Arora International Hotel (Rates include Breakfast)

Arora International Hotel (Rates include Breakfast)

Contemporary in design yet maintaining the unique character of its Grade 2 listed heritage building Arora International Manchester is located in the heart of Manchester City Centre opposite the Art Gallery.

The hotel is less than 5 minutes walk from the G Mex M.

I.

C.

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Ascott Hotel

Ascott Hotel

A small privately run hotel conveniently located for Manchester City Centre 10 minute drive .

A modernised hotel tastefully restored to its original Victorian glory and was voted Best B B of 2004.

The Ascott is close to Manchester City Centre Metro and Train link and within easy access of the M602 motorway.

We are also within 10 minutes drive of Old Trafford home to Manchester United as well as the Trafford and Lowry centres.

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Beaumont (M E N Arena) Serviced Apartments

Beaumont (M E N Arena) Serviced Apartments

Beaumont Building Apartments Manchesters newest addition to the growing world of serviced apartments.

The lavish two bedroom apartments at the uniquely styled Beaumont Building are superbly furnished with all contemporary mod cons.

Located at the Northern end of Deansgate opposite the MEN arena.

Minutes from Harvey Nicholls Selfridges and Manchesters coolost bars including Cocoa Rooms Living Room and Panacea.

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Britannia Hotel

Britannia Hotel

The Britannia Hotel offers good value for money right in the heart of Manchester city centre.

Situated in a prime location for business or leisure the hotel is close to the G Mex MEN arena financial area shops theatres and bars.

Piccadilly Rail Station is a ten minute walk and offers good rail links with the rest of the country.

The hotel offers its own excellent entertainment centre with three restaurants three bars and a night club.

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Britannia Sachas

Britannia Sachas

Situated right in the heart of the city centre the hotel is ideally located for both business and leisure guests.

Adjacent to Manchester's fabulous shopping area and close to the city's commercial centre main tourist attractions and a host of restaurants and bars the hotel offers friendly service and good value for money.

For relaxation take advantage of our recently refurbished leisure facilities with swimming pool jacuzzi sauna and gym or just sit and relax in our residents bar.

The Hotel has two restaurants the Carvery where you can enjoy a traditional carvery meal with all the trimmings vegetarian option available and our Pizzeria Restaurant which offers a selection of authentic Italian dishes.

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Chancellors Hotel & Conference Centre

Chancellors Hotel & Conference Centre

Situated only 10 minutes from Manchester City Centre with easy access to major motorway networks central train stations Manchester International Airport.

Chancellors Hotel also has free secure onsite car parking All 75 bedrooms have an en suite bathroom and are equipped with a desk direct dial telephone internet access television hair dryer and tea and coffee making facilities.

A number of their bedrooms are also specifically designed to accommodate disabled guests with impaired mobility.

Chancellors Hotel Conference Centre offers business and leisure travellers traditional comfortable and value for money accommodation in a convenient location.

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Citipads

Citipads

 

IMPORTANT PLEASE ENSURE YOU PROVIDE THE BILLING ADDRESS OF THE CARD BEING USED FOR THE BOOKING The boutique affordable alternative to hotels offers stylish studio apartments in the stunning award winning development the Edge.

Each apartment has everything you need for an alternative stay in a lively cosmopolitian city of Manchester A business trip weekend break visiting friends or relatives catching a show One week one month one night what ever you want.

5 mins walk from Harvey Nichols and selfridges and all thoses lovely shops and 10mins walk from MEN arena Stylish and with a superior specification solid walnut floors walk in showers Egyptian cotton bed linen fluffy supasized towels and robes plus our in house entertainment centre with BOSE Ipod sound and 42 samsung HD TV digital or DVD WiFi.

The best feature is the full wrap around balconies providing panoramic views of the city and bright lights of Old Trafford Salford Quays the many stunning buildings.

 

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Clough Park Hotel

Clough Park Hotel

City Hotel backing up to Boggart Hole Clough one of the biggest parks in Manchester.

Enjoy our recently refurbished cosy ensuite bedrooms.

With quick and easy access to M60 motorway and vibrant city centre it is perfect choice for business and leisure travellers.

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Copperheads Hotel

Copperheads Hotel

PLEASE NOTE HOTEL IS UNDER REFURBISHMENT AT THE MOMENT.

Close to all main train stations Manchester Victoria 10 mins.

Manchester Deansgate 10 mins.

Salford Cresent 10 mins.

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