All of these haunted places are open for business – just sleep with one eye open
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Halloween is almost here and if you really want a fright, spending the a night in a haunted hotel is the perfect chance – if you're brave enough.
Plenty of hotels across the UK boast ghosts and many of these hotbeds of paranormal activity are open for business this October.
With a steady stream of people passing through the doors and a rich history going back centuries, its hardly surprising there are unsettled spirits wandering the buildings and their grounds.
With tales of gruesome murders and tragic deaths, these ghostly figures are undoubtedly tied to the histories of the hotels, as well as the lodgings they haunt.
We've rounded up some of the most haunted hotels open for business and taken an in-depth look at the long-history of terrifying phantoms and unexplained phenomena that have taken place over the years.
So if you really want a fright this All Hallows Eve, these creepy hotels are perfect for a petrifying night away – and a decent location to spend during the day, too.
And they're all within a short drive from Manchester.
Found nestled away in the picturesque town of Helmsley, this 15th century inn turned 4* hotel has a rich history dating back over five centuries – and a host of resident ghosts.
Made up of three houses, one black and white timber, one Georgian and one Elizabethan, this character property is well known for its abundance of paranormal activity.
Staff and guests have reported a number of apparitions that frequent the hotel – thought to be previous patrons to the Black Swan over its many years of service.
One is the ghostly figure of a man wearing a bowler hat, who appears to be impatiently waiting for someone at the bar, before he slowly disappears.
Another tale tells the story of a beautiful young woman who is seen staring directly into the fireplace at the bar. Despite her fair appearance, she is thought to be a jilted bride and it is said that any man who gazes upon her face will die in ecstasy.
The ghostly figure of a highwayman wanders the kitchen in the hotel, dressed in riding boots and a long black cloak. The sound of his Irish folk songs echo in the corner of the bar late into the night.
Staff also say a small boy – known as Matthew – regularly appears in the bar and passagewa. Dressed in traditional Victorian clothing, the child is thought to have been a pickpocket and is responsible for the unexplained disappearance of a number of items from behind the bar.
A hotel has sat on the site of the Adelphi since the early 1800s and so much paranormal activity has been recorded here that it was named the most haunted hotel in England in 2015.
Both staff members and guests have reported strange goings-on and ghostly figures over the years.
Many have spoke of the apparition of a teenage bell boy in full uniform picking up luggage before vanishing completely. It is thought this figure is that of 15 year-old Raymond Brown who died in 1961 after getting trapped in a baggage lift.
Another ghostly tale tells of the tragic man known as George, a man in his 30s with a pencil moustache – who took his own life in the 1930s while at the hotel. His eternal soul now calls desperately to passers-by from a window on the Brownlow Hill side of the hotel.
The figure of a woman with long black hair has been seen rifling through guests' belongings in the early hours of the morning, only to vanish into thin air when confronted. She also likes to stand by the bedside of male visitors while stroking their hair.
Apparitions also haunt the lift, with an unseen spirit that whistles and breathes down the neck of those using it – and is even known to tap people on their shoulder.
Some have reported falling violently ill during their stay, whilst others have reported feeling watched and others have mentioned seeing someone standing by the side of their bed.
The third floor is understood to be the most haunted, and there are even reports of a demon residing in the halls there after complaints about a growling sound and the disembodied ranting of an angry man echoing across the hall.
Paranormal investigator Tom Slemen claims he even witnessed the ghost of the ill-fated RMS Titanic Captain Edward Smith flanked by two White Star Line officers while giving a talk at the hotel – all three unaware of those observing them.
the stunning Old Hall Hotel sits in the centre of the town on the high street and dates back as far as 1656. It occupies the site of an ancient mansion once inhabited by the Sandbaches – former lords of the manor. Dubbed one of the most haunted places in Cheshire, there;s a total of 14 separate ghosts thought to reside in the building.
Book room 11 and you'll have the most haunted room in the hotel, which is said to be regularly visited by many ghosts. Many have reported witnessing an elderly lady sitting in the chair by the bed – the spectre of lady who died of a heart attack over 200 years ago.
Most commonly experienced is the spirit of the original owner of the hall, Sir John Radcliffe, a tall man in traditional 17th century clothes who appears directly in front of staff, likes to rattle the door latches and makes the hanging glasses above the bar swing violently on their hooks.
Linked to Sir Radcliffe are the spirits of two young girls, aged around 12 -13 who are thought to be prostitutes smuggled into the inn through the tunnel in the cellar. Some say these mischievous figures can be heard running around the rooms and in the kitchen and restaurant in the early hours of the morning. They are said to be giggling and whispering, opening doors and rearranging items in the building.
Another common spectre is that of an elderly female bee keeper who simply walks to the front door to the stairs, completely unaware of others in her presence.
Another ghost thought to reside in the hotel is that of a grey lady who wanders around the halls as if searching for something. This is thought to be the spirit of a woman frantically hunting for her missing baby – a spirit that occupied the building after some of the panelling used to build it was recycled from the nearby Haslington Hall.
When the panelling was removed, ready to be taken to Sandbach, the skeleton of a baby was found in the wall – thought to be the tragic child of the woman.
Many have felt an unexplained presence around the fireplace in the lounge – where there's a hidden door leading to a priest hole. While Catholic priests often escaped persecution from the soldiers and priest-hunters by hiding in the alcove, they often did not escape the fire and slowly burned to death while in hiding.
Numerous guests have reported the sensation of being pushed under the water while having a bath, and several have said they have woken in the early hours of the morning convinced that their bed is on fire and the urge to get out of the room. It is though this is down to a fire that ripped through the original mansion with the spirit of a soul who perished while desperately trying to escape.
This old manor house has a history going back to the 17th century and to this day is full of historical features.
Now a hotel, it is said to be haunted by the solid-looking ghost of a nun.
This apparition has been seen on many occasions in the past by both staff and guests, and at first, people were puzzled as to why a nun should be haunting the hotel. However after investigation by a local historian, it was discover the hotel was a nunnery before being converted into a manor house.
Although the identity of the sister remains unknown, it is believed that the ghost haunting the hotel is of a nun who met a grisly end after being bricked up alive in the cellar of a nearby abbey.
She now wanders the halls of the hotel, appearing randomly to guests and is thought to be responsible for unexplained happenings in the building.
Phantom hymn-singers have also been heard in the early hours of the morning near the hotel.
First mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086 as the home of Sir Mauger Vavasour the magnificent castle turned boutique hotel is reputed to be one of the most haunted around.
For 900 years it was owned by the Vavasour family and played a safehouse for Catholic priests and monks in the 16th century. During World War Two it was used as a maternity ward, and late 20th century it was a home for Carmelite Order friars.
For centuries, rumours of paranormal activity at the castle were rife, but it wasn't until it was transformed into a hotel in 1997 that these supposed ghostly figures were confirmed.
The Tansy room is reportedly haunted by the apparition of a black-robed monk. Seen coming from the exit from the nearby St Margaret's church courtyard, the dark figure roams across the walkway only to disappear into the yew tree. This same figure crosses from the church to the laundry store area – a route that was once used by the ancient priests to go down into the cloisters. The fireplace in the library now sits where the cloister once stood.
The library also houses another phantom clergyman, who has been seen searching the shelves for a book. This anxious spirit is thought to be one of the Carmelites who died unexpectedly and his soul is forever tied to his quest for knowledge.
More recently, a housekeeper tending to the Lavender bedroom was working when she became aware there was someone in the bathroom. Believing a fellow member of staff was in the room cleaning, she began friendly conversation – but got no response. When she went to take a closer look, she discovered the bathroom empty and no trace of anyone in there.
One guest who was staying over Christmas in 2003 lodged a complaint that she was kept awake a night by a infant that wouldn't stop crying. At the time of her stay, there were no babies in any of the rooms near to her.
The luxurious Ruthin Castle Hotel is found in the historical grounds of the 13th century castellated fort – and reputed to be one of the most haunted in Wales. It changed hands several times over the years before eventually falling into disrepair.
However, in 1826, the castle was bought and replaced with the structure which stands today. It was used as a hospital for those suffering from rare diseases until 1960, when it was bought and transformed into a luxury spa hotel.
It was around this time that the hauntings first began. It has a grim history and is well-known in paranormal circles for apparitions that wander the grounds and its the scene of numerous ghost stories.
Lady Grey of Ruthin Castle is probably the most well-known and active spirit that haunts the castle. According to records, Lady Grey discovered that her husband had been having an affair with a local peasant girl. Upon catching the pair in a tryst, she took an axe to her husband's mistress in a jealous rage, hacking her to death.
Lady Grey was quickly apprehended, and was said to be in a state of madness. She was tried for murder and sentenced to death. No local clergymen would allow her to be buried on consecrated ground, so it was decided that she be buried just outside the castle walls.
It is said that she has since been confined to the castle, the execution failing to free her from her madness. She has been spotted by numerous guests and staff wandering the corridors of the hotel.
There have also been reports of the apparition of a crazed woman walking through the banquet hall and the battlements wielding an axe as she moves. Her ghost has also been seen outside the castle walls wandering the grounds.
Many have reported the ghostly figure of a soldier in full armour wandering around the grounds. Curiously wearing just one gauntlet, it is thought this man was once a soldier in King Edward's army who lost his life defending the castle. Eyewitnesses say this apparition never interacts with people and appears to be completely unaware of the surroundings.
Some claim to have been hassled by the ghost of a mischievous little girl who spends the nights running up and down the halls and knocking on all the doors. However, guests never quite catch the face of the child, usually only seeing her as she speeds around a corner out of sight while giggling.
The Golden Fleece ale house is reportedly the most haunted building in York – and probably one of the most haunted in England. The pub was mentioned in the York City Archives as far back as 1503 and has a rich yet grisly history.
There are thought to be around 15 resident ghosts at the pub – most notably Lady Alice Peckett, former mayor of York and owner of the Golden Fleece in the 1700s. Many guests have reported seeing Alice wandering the corridors of the hotel, moving furniture around and walking up and down staircases in the darkness of the night.
The basement in the pub was used as a morgue during the Second World War, and in 1945, Canadian airman Geoff Monroe, who was staying in room four, fell from the window to his untimely death. It is unclear whether the solider fell or jumped, but there have been numerous reports of Monroe, dressed in full uniform, waking guests.
Another ghostly figure known as One Eyed Jack, identifiable by his 17th century red coat has been seen in the bottom bar, with a pistol in tow. The spirit of a young boy in Victorian dress, thought to have been trampled to death by horses, also frequents the top bar at the pub, his voice heard by guests and patrons.
Disembodied footsteps can be heard echoing through the hallways at night.
More recently, the figure of a man has been reported – believed to be the spirit of a former landlord who took his own life behind the bar. The ceiling behind the bar is false, with a hidden hook where the man supposedly hung himself. The ghost landlord is well known to those local to the pub – although no-one knows exactly who he is.
Staff at The Golden Fleece in York have reported in the past that they felt tightness around their necks, glasses being mysteriously broken and several of them described how their hair was pulled as if by invisible hands.
This luxury hotel dates back to the 16th century and is just a short distance and is one of the most popular spots in the area for a romantic break.
However, dig into the buildings past and you'll discover some horrifying and gruesome secrets that have earned it the title of Sheffield's most haunted hotel.
Its most famous spirit is known as the White Lady, who has stalked the room and halls of Mosborough since she was murdered in the 1600s by a married squire who she was having an affair with. After falling pregnant, she threatened to tell his wife, and in a moment of desperation he slit her throat.
The wailing and angry voices which are said to echo through the halls are thought to be their last argument.
The room where the killing took place is now known as the John Lord Darcy Suite, and is the oldest room in the hotel.
Her large black dog reportedly pined to death after she was slain, and now patrols the grounds of the building searching for his owner.
Some say it can be heard howling in the night. Others tell a tale of a seamstress who was minding a very sick baby at the hall, when the spectral beast bounded across the room to where the woman was sitting and mouthed her wrist for just a moment. It then let go before ambling past the cot and vanishing into the wall.
By morning the child had died and the woman bore the teethmarks of the dog for the rest of her life.
Another more recent story tells of a visit by a local medic, Dr. Pilcher, who had heard the tales of the ghostly happenings in the hall, but remained cynical. To prove he was correct in dismissing the tales, he stayed overnight in the hall, in the room where the White Lady was murdered, with no incidents of note to report.
In the morning, he was woken by a staff member who came in with a cup of tea, only to freeze in his tracks. The pair looked down to see the sheets and pillowcases dripping with blood and large pool on the bedding flowing onto the polished floor.
The doctor was reduced to a quivering wreck and he was driven home by a member of staff. He immediately resigned as a doctor and never returned.
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