Haunted Hotels in North West England
Reputedly haunted hotels and inns in Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, and Merseyside,
The Pied Bull, Chester
CHESHIRE
The Pied Bull. Chester. The origins of the Pied Bull are thought to be 11th century, although it is doubtful that anything of the original structure remains. That said, the existing building is certainly old, and it is reputed to be the oldest continually licensed premises in the entire city. The inn is also more than happy to boast of its apparitions: one a cellar-man from the early 1600’s, and another a 19th century chamber maid. Reviews can be found at both Booking.com and LateRooms.com
Ye Olde Kings Head. Chester. Poltergeists and ghostly children are all said to have been reported at this 17th century pub. In fact, it even claims to be the residing place of no fewer than 13 “spirits”. Online reservations can be made at LateRooms.com
The George and Dragon. Chester. Some have reported hearing the sound of marching feet at this Victorian establishment. Perhaps it is connected to the Roman legions who would have passed along the via decumana upon which it stands. See LateRooms.com
Barcelo Shrigley Hall. Nr Macclesfield. An early nineteenth century country house hotel said to have been the site of paranormal activity. See Booking.com and LateRooms.com
Hartford Hall. Northwich. Originally a manor house and nunnery, Hartford Hall is situated in the village of the same name just a short distance to the south west of Northwich itself. Dating back to the 17th century, legend has it that the building is haunted by a nun who was buried within the walls of a nearby abbey. LateRooms.com
The Lion & Swan. Congleton. Parts of this typical timber-frame Cheshire house date from the 16th century. However, whether the allegedly scantily clad dark-haired young woman said to haunt the place dates from so long ago we’ll never know. Practical information can be found at Booking.com
The Pied Bull. Chester. The origins of the Pied Bull are thought to be 11th century, although it is doubtful that anything of the original structure remains. That said, the existing building is certainly old, and it is reputed to be the oldest continually licensed premises in the entire city. The inn is also more than happy to boast of its apparitions: one a cellar-man from the early 1600’s, and another a 19th century chamber maid. Reviews can be found at both Booking.com and LateRooms.com
Ye Olde Kings Head. Chester. Poltergeists and ghostly children are all said to have been reported at this 17th century pub. In fact, it even claims to be the residing place of no fewer than 13 “spirits”. Online reservations can be made at LateRooms.com
The George and Dragon. Chester. Some have reported hearing the sound of marching feet at this Victorian establishment. Perhaps it is connected to the Roman legions who would have passed along the via decumana upon which it stands. See LateRooms.com
Barcelo Shrigley Hall. Nr Macclesfield. An early nineteenth century country house hotel said to have been the site of paranormal activity. See Booking.com and LateRooms.com
Hartford Hall. Northwich. Originally a manor house and nunnery, Hartford Hall is situated in the village of the same name just a short distance to the south west of Northwich itself. Dating back to the 17th century, legend has it that the building is haunted by a nun who was buried within the walls of a nearby abbey. LateRooms.com
The Lion & Swan. Congleton. Parts of this typical timber-frame Cheshire house date from the 16th century. However, whether the allegedly scantily clad dark-haired young woman said to haunt the place dates from so long ago we’ll never know. Practical information can be found at Booking.com
Edenhall, Penrith
CUMBRIA
Edenhall. Penrith. Ghost-hunters visiting the 17th century Edenhall are advised to try room 25 and the bar area. Apparently. Reviews available at Booking.com and LateRooms.com
Kirkstone Pass Inn. Ambleside. The highest inhabited building in the whole of Cumbria, and said to be the third highest inn in the whole of England, the Kirkstone Pass is listed in records dating back as far as 1496. It is also reputed to be brim-full with ghosts. See TripAdvisor
Muncaster Castle. Ravenglass. Supposedly one of the most haunted castles in the world, Muncaster even organises its own ‘Ghost Sits’. One of its otherworldly residents is known as ‘Tom Fool’ (a mischievous fellow) while the White Lady sometimes encountered in the grounds is thought to be the spirit of one Mary Bragg who was murdered close to the gates around 200 years ago. It is said, though, that the Tapestry Room is the real place to be for a spot of paranormal activity. Read visitor feedback at TripAdvisor
Overwater Hall. Keswick. There is little documented evidence of ‘manifestations’ in recent times, but some say that Overwater Hall is haunted by a certain ‘Black Lady’. Read reviews and check availability via LateRooms.com
Dalston Hall. Carlisle. Featured on TV’s Most Haunted programme, Dalston Hall is certainly the sort of place anyone fancying their chances of sighting a spook or two should consider. Otherworldly residents include a grey lady known affectionately as “Lady Jane”; a maid who inhabits Room 4; and a handyman (which certainly makes a change from the ubiquitous hooded monk). The most ancient part of this beautiful castle is the Pele Tower, which is thought to have been constructed around 1500. See Booking.com
Edenhall. Penrith. Ghost-hunters visiting the 17th century Edenhall are advised to try room 25 and the bar area. Apparently. Reviews available at Booking.com and LateRooms.com
Kirkstone Pass Inn. Ambleside. The highest inhabited building in the whole of Cumbria, and said to be the third highest inn in the whole of England, the Kirkstone Pass is listed in records dating back as far as 1496. It is also reputed to be brim-full with ghosts. See TripAdvisor
Muncaster Castle. Ravenglass. Supposedly one of the most haunted castles in the world, Muncaster even organises its own ‘Ghost Sits’. One of its otherworldly residents is known as ‘Tom Fool’ (a mischievous fellow) while the White Lady sometimes encountered in the grounds is thought to be the spirit of one Mary Bragg who was murdered close to the gates around 200 years ago. It is said, though, that the Tapestry Room is the real place to be for a spot of paranormal activity. Read visitor feedback at TripAdvisor
Overwater Hall. Keswick. There is little documented evidence of ‘manifestations’ in recent times, but some say that Overwater Hall is haunted by a certain ‘Black Lady’. Read reviews and check availability via LateRooms.com
Dalston Hall. Carlisle. Featured on TV’s Most Haunted programme, Dalston Hall is certainly the sort of place anyone fancying their chances of sighting a spook or two should consider. Otherworldly residents include a grey lady known affectionately as “Lady Jane”; a maid who inhabits Room 4; and a handyman (which certainly makes a change from the ubiquitous hooded monk). The most ancient part of this beautiful castle is the Pele Tower, which is thought to have been constructed around 1500. See Booking.com
Dunkenhalgh Hall
LANCASHIRE
Dunkenhalgh Hall. Accrington. Reputedly the abode to the spirit of a young 18th century French woman called Lucette. Legend has it that the unfortunate girl fell madly in love with a man while caring for the children of the then owners, the Petre family. Having fallen pregnant, her suitor failed to return as he had promised and, being tormented by other members of staff, she drowned herself in the nearby river. Reviews can be found at Booking.com
Dunkenhalgh Hall. Accrington. Reputedly the abode to the spirit of a young 18th century French woman called Lucette. Legend has it that the unfortunate girl fell madly in love with a man while caring for the children of the then owners, the Petre family. Having fallen pregnant, her suitor failed to return as he had promised and, being tormented by other members of staff, she drowned herself in the nearby river. Reviews can be found at Booking.com
The Adelphi, Liverpool
MERSEYSIDE
The Adelphi. Liverpool. Most of the accommodation featured on this Haunted Hotels section of Nights In The Past are either smaller inns or old country houses. The Liverpool’s Adelphi is neither of those, having been built as recently as 1914 and boasting 402 en suite rooms (albeit Edwardian style in the main). That said, it is allegedly still quite a ghostly place to stay, especially on the fifth floor. Reviews can be found at Booking.com & LateRooms.com
Childwall Abbey Hotel. Liverpool. Some say that this heritage-rich old building is home to a spirit from the fifteenth century. See our main Historic Hotels entry for Childwall Abbey.
The Adelphi. Liverpool. Most of the accommodation featured on this Haunted Hotels section of Nights In The Past are either smaller inns or old country houses. The Liverpool’s Adelphi is neither of those, having been built as recently as 1914 and boasting 402 en suite rooms (albeit Edwardian style in the main). That said, it is allegedly still quite a ghostly place to stay, especially on the fifth floor. Reviews can be found at Booking.com & LateRooms.com
Childwall Abbey Hotel. Liverpool. Some say that this heritage-rich old building is home to a spirit from the fifteenth century. See our main Historic Hotels entry for Childwall Abbey.