Haunted Hotels in The East of England
Reputedly haunted hotels and inns in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk
Flitwick Manor
BEDFORDSHIRE
Flitwick Manor. Flitwick. Some say that the wandering spirit supposedly here is that of former inhabitant Mary Brooks (who refuses to leave the house on account of her daughter’s early death), while others believe it to be a long-dead housekeeper. Either way, there have been reports of footsteps and flickering lights for which there is no rational explanation.
Practical information can be found at Booking.com
Flitwick Manor. Flitwick. Some say that the wandering spirit supposedly here is that of former inhabitant Mary Brooks (who refuses to leave the house on account of her daughter’s early death), while others believe it to be a long-dead housekeeper. Either way, there have been reports of footsteps and flickering lights for which there is no rational explanation.
Practical information can be found at Booking.com
The Lamb, Ely
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
The Lamb. Ely. Curious lights and the sound of footsteps are reported to have been experienced at this ancient and historic old inn. But that might well be the tip of the spectral iceberg given that few are willing to divulge their own encounters at what was once known as the Slaughtered Lamb. And if somewhere with a name like that isn’t the home of something spooky, nowhere will be. Read reviews and check availability with Booking.com
The Golden Lion Hotel. St. Ives. Thought to date from the early 1600’s, this old coaching inn is alleged to be the site of some rather noisy young ghosts which may be those of gypsy children who perished in its grounds. Reviews at Booking.com
The Haycock Hotel. Wansford. Alas, there is scant supporting documentary evidence available for reputed sightings at the Haycock. But if ghosts really do exist, then this old coaching inn - which has witnessed much of English history passing by outside and through its doors - would certainly be the sort of place to find them. See our specific history page for The Haycock Hotel
The Old Ferryboat. St. Ives. A little bit of legend and folklore is to be expected at a place that is one of the oldest inns in England. And so it is with the Old Ferryboat: reputedly built upon the grave of a young woman called Juliet from the 11th century. Her burial spot is said to be marked by a granite slab, and that she’s been known to make a guest appearance on March 17th. See our specific page for The Old Ferryboat
The Lamb. Ely. Curious lights and the sound of footsteps are reported to have been experienced at this ancient and historic old inn. But that might well be the tip of the spectral iceberg given that few are willing to divulge their own encounters at what was once known as the Slaughtered Lamb. And if somewhere with a name like that isn’t the home of something spooky, nowhere will be. Read reviews and check availability with Booking.com
The Golden Lion Hotel. St. Ives. Thought to date from the early 1600’s, this old coaching inn is alleged to be the site of some rather noisy young ghosts which may be those of gypsy children who perished in its grounds. Reviews at Booking.com
The Haycock Hotel. Wansford. Alas, there is scant supporting documentary evidence available for reputed sightings at the Haycock. But if ghosts really do exist, then this old coaching inn - which has witnessed much of English history passing by outside and through its doors - would certainly be the sort of place to find them. See our specific history page for The Haycock Hotel
The Old Ferryboat. St. Ives. A little bit of legend and folklore is to be expected at a place that is one of the oldest inns in England. And so it is with the Old Ferryboat: reputedly built upon the grave of a young woman called Juliet from the 11th century. Her burial spot is said to be marked by a granite slab, and that she’s been known to make a guest appearance on March 17th. See our specific page for The Old Ferryboat
Red Lion, Colchester
ESSEX
The Red Lion. Colchester. This celebrated old inn is reputed to be home to one Alice Miller who, it is said, was most “foully done to death” in the 1630’s. Guests hoping to make her acquaintance are advised to spend time in the hotel’s upstairs bar. Other otherworldly residents include a hooded figure which some believe to be a monk (no surprises there), and a young boy who is most often seen in the restaurant. See our specific history page for The Red Lion
The Mistley Thorn. Nr Manningtree. Thought to date from around 1723, this former coaching inn is today a popular little boutique hotel and restaurant. Clearly to the taste of otherworldly folks, several ghosts have been seen here, including one who is thought to be Matthew Hopkins – the notorious 17th century Witchfinder General. See TripAdvisor
The Sun Inn. Dedham. Could the young woman sometimes seen here be the last to have been executed for witchcraft in the county? Whatever the truth, it is said that around noon is the best time to catch a glimpse of her if she deigns to appear. TripAdvisor
The Red Lion. Colchester. This celebrated old inn is reputed to be home to one Alice Miller who, it is said, was most “foully done to death” in the 1630’s. Guests hoping to make her acquaintance are advised to spend time in the hotel’s upstairs bar. Other otherworldly residents include a hooded figure which some believe to be a monk (no surprises there), and a young boy who is most often seen in the restaurant. See our specific history page for The Red Lion
The Mistley Thorn. Nr Manningtree. Thought to date from around 1723, this former coaching inn is today a popular little boutique hotel and restaurant. Clearly to the taste of otherworldly folks, several ghosts have been seen here, including one who is thought to be Matthew Hopkins – the notorious 17th century Witchfinder General. See TripAdvisor
The Sun Inn. Dedham. Could the young woman sometimes seen here be the last to have been executed for witchcraft in the county? Whatever the truth, it is said that around noon is the best time to catch a glimpse of her if she deigns to appear. TripAdvisor
The Brocket Arms
HERTFORDSHIRE
Brocket Arms. Ayot St. Lawrence. This beautiful 14th century inn is allegedly haunted by a priest who was both tried and executed here. What his crime is supposed to have been we cannot be sure, but the building itself was formerly the monastic quarters for the nearby church. See TripAdvisor
Down Hall. Hatfield Heath. This 16th century country house hotel even runs its own “haunted house weekends” which suggests something spooky. For practical details see Booking.com
The George. Bishop’s Stortford. A mist-like Grey Lady is said to have made appearances here in the past. Read guest reviews at TripAdvisor
Brocket Arms. Ayot St. Lawrence. This beautiful 14th century inn is allegedly haunted by a priest who was both tried and executed here. What his crime is supposed to have been we cannot be sure, but the building itself was formerly the monastic quarters for the nearby church. See TripAdvisor
Down Hall. Hatfield Heath. This 16th century country house hotel even runs its own “haunted house weekends” which suggests something spooky. For practical details see Booking.com
The George. Bishop’s Stortford. A mist-like Grey Lady is said to have made appearances here in the past. Read guest reviews at TripAdvisor
The Bell, Thetford
NORFOLK
Bell Hotel. Thetford. Many experts in the paranormal say that this is one of the most haunted inns in England. Indeed, many of its guests are those seeking an encounter with otherworldly beings. 15th century in origin and with religious connections, it’s no surprise that one of the ghosts here is said to be a hooded monk (the sort of which seem to get everywhere). Check availability via Booking.com
Scole Inn. Diss. Thought to have been built during the 1650’s, The Scole Inn is thought to be the abode of a spirit called Emma – a woman some say was murdered by her husband who suspected her of having an affair. The best place to stand a chance of meeting her, apparently, is the staircase (where she manifests herself as a ‘white lady’). Read reviews at Tripadvisor
The Old Hall Inn. Sea Palling. It is said that the ghostly figure of a woman has been seen sitting in the lounge in addition to a fair few other inexplicable events. See what others think at TripAdvisor
Tudor Rose Hotel. Kings Lynn. Dating from circa 1500, the Tudor Rose is said to be home to several ghosts including a ‘grey lady’ who most often makes herself seen in the restaurant. Other paranormal hotspots include room number 7 and the back bar. More information can be found at TripAdvisor
Bell Hotel. Thetford. Many experts in the paranormal say that this is one of the most haunted inns in England. Indeed, many of its guests are those seeking an encounter with otherworldly beings. 15th century in origin and with religious connections, it’s no surprise that one of the ghosts here is said to be a hooded monk (the sort of which seem to get everywhere). Check availability via Booking.com
Scole Inn. Diss. Thought to have been built during the 1650’s, The Scole Inn is thought to be the abode of a spirit called Emma – a woman some say was murdered by her husband who suspected her of having an affair. The best place to stand a chance of meeting her, apparently, is the staircase (where she manifests herself as a ‘white lady’). Read reviews at Tripadvisor
The Old Hall Inn. Sea Palling. It is said that the ghostly figure of a woman has been seen sitting in the lounge in addition to a fair few other inexplicable events. See what others think at TripAdvisor
Tudor Rose Hotel. Kings Lynn. Dating from circa 1500, the Tudor Rose is said to be home to several ghosts including a ‘grey lady’ who most often makes herself seen in the restaurant. Other paranormal hotspots include room number 7 and the back bar. More information can be found at TripAdvisor
The Bull, Long Melford
SUFFOLK
The Bull. Long Melford. A splendid piece of East Anglian Tudor architecture, the ghost that inhabits the Bull might just be that of Richard Evered who was murdered here in the mid 1600’s (or so the story goes). Apparently, the place to improve your chances of seeing him is Room 4, although some say that he still walks the hallways. Read reviews online at Booking.com.
The Swan. Lavenham. There are over 300 listed buildings in Lavenham, and the 15th century Swan is one of them. Those hoping for a meeting with the building’s female ghost should try room 15. See Booking.com
The White Hart. Blythburgh. This old 16th century inn was once a courthouse and the scene of ghostly activity. Alas, not so much of late, but independent reviews suggest that it remains popular with those who stay here. Practical details are available courtesy of TripAdvisor
The White Horse. Risby. Dating, in parts, from the early 1500’s, the White Hart near Bury St. Edmunds has even been investigated by paranormal experts in the past. In fact, it boasts several apparitions including a gloomy man in a black coat. Guest reviews are available at Tripadvisor.
The Bell. Walberswick. Six centuries old, the Bell is one of those places where ghosts are said to have been seen, but little other information exists. See TripAdvisor
The Bull. Long Melford. A splendid piece of East Anglian Tudor architecture, the ghost that inhabits the Bull might just be that of Richard Evered who was murdered here in the mid 1600’s (or so the story goes). Apparently, the place to improve your chances of seeing him is Room 4, although some say that he still walks the hallways. Read reviews online at Booking.com.
The Swan. Lavenham. There are over 300 listed buildings in Lavenham, and the 15th century Swan is one of them. Those hoping for a meeting with the building’s female ghost should try room 15. See Booking.com
The White Hart. Blythburgh. This old 16th century inn was once a courthouse and the scene of ghostly activity. Alas, not so much of late, but independent reviews suggest that it remains popular with those who stay here. Practical details are available courtesy of TripAdvisor
The White Horse. Risby. Dating, in parts, from the early 1500’s, the White Hart near Bury St. Edmunds has even been investigated by paranormal experts in the past. In fact, it boasts several apparitions including a gloomy man in a black coat. Guest reviews are available at Tripadvisor.
The Bell. Walberswick. Six centuries old, the Bell is one of those places where ghosts are said to have been seen, but little other information exists. See TripAdvisor