Haunted Hotels in South East England
Reputedly haunted hotels and inns in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and Sussex
MacDonald Berystede Hotel
BERKSHIRE
MacDonald Berystede Hotel. Sunninghill. The “Blue Lady” some have claimed to witness here is thought to be the ghost of a former maid who died when a fire ravaged the building on the 27th of October 1886. Indeed, we even know her name, Eliza Kleininger, and that she perished trying to save a box of jewellery. The north wing is reputedly the most likely part of the house to experience strange goings-on. Read reviews at Tripadvisor
Littlecote House. Hungerford. Not just a stunning building, but also one whose supposed ghost is that of a ghastly former owner, William Darrell. Visit our main historic hotels entry for Littlecote House
The George. Pangbourne. This traditional old inn is reputed to be haunted by a witch called Betty Prince who used the site as a hiding place many centuries ago. Practical details can be found at Booking.com
MacDonald Berystede Hotel. Sunninghill. The “Blue Lady” some have claimed to witness here is thought to be the ghost of a former maid who died when a fire ravaged the building on the 27th of October 1886. Indeed, we even know her name, Eliza Kleininger, and that she perished trying to save a box of jewellery. The north wing is reputedly the most likely part of the house to experience strange goings-on. Read reviews at Tripadvisor
Littlecote House. Hungerford. Not just a stunning building, but also one whose supposed ghost is that of a ghastly former owner, William Darrell. Visit our main historic hotels entry for Littlecote House
The George. Pangbourne. This traditional old inn is reputed to be haunted by a witch called Betty Prince who used the site as a hiding place many centuries ago. Practical details can be found at Booking.com
The George and Dragon
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
The George and Dragon. West Wycombe. No one can be sure if there is more than one ghost at work at this early eighteenth century coaching inn near High Wycombe. Some say that one might be that of a girl called Sukie - lured to an accidental death by local boys pretending to be a rich suitor. Some even describe her as beautiful and paranormal weekends are often arranged in the hope she makes an appearance. Tipadvisor
Hartwell House. Aylesbury. While certainly not one of the most celebrated places to experience ghosts, this grand 17th century stately home is the location of unconfirmed reports of spooky occurrences. See our Historic Hotels entry for Hartwell House
The Crown. Amersham. A traditional old English inn, this 16th century building is reputedly the home to several different spirits. These include a “grey ghost” that’s believed to be a former maid who still likes to do a little supernatural housekeeping. Read reviews at Booking.com
The Saracens Head. Amersham. The inn themselves are happy to announce the presence of apparitions, one of which is thought to be the ghost of a 17th century barmaid. Find out more through TripAdvisor
The George and Dragon. West Wycombe. No one can be sure if there is more than one ghost at work at this early eighteenth century coaching inn near High Wycombe. Some say that one might be that of a girl called Sukie - lured to an accidental death by local boys pretending to be a rich suitor. Some even describe her as beautiful and paranormal weekends are often arranged in the hope she makes an appearance. Tipadvisor
Hartwell House. Aylesbury. While certainly not one of the most celebrated places to experience ghosts, this grand 17th century stately home is the location of unconfirmed reports of spooky occurrences. See our Historic Hotels entry for Hartwell House
The Crown. Amersham. A traditional old English inn, this 16th century building is reputedly the home to several different spirits. These include a “grey ghost” that’s believed to be a former maid who still likes to do a little supernatural housekeeping. Read reviews at Booking.com
The Saracens Head. Amersham. The inn themselves are happy to announce the presence of apparitions, one of which is thought to be the ghost of a 17th century barmaid. Find out more through TripAdvisor
The Mermaid, Rye
EAST SUSSEX
The Mermaid Inn. Rye. The cellars of the Mermaid were built during Norman times, and the existing street-level structure dates largely from the early 1400’s. As befits a hostelry of such age, this true English inn resonates with history. Moreover, it is also considered to possess numerous ghosts, and has been featured on the television series Most Haunted. See our main Historic Hotels entry for The Mermaid Inn
Shelley’s. Lewes. A “Lady in Blue”, a Cavalier and some poltergeist activity have all been reported in the past. Reviews and reservations can be found at Booking.com
The Mermaid Inn. Rye. The cellars of the Mermaid were built during Norman times, and the existing street-level structure dates largely from the early 1400’s. As befits a hostelry of such age, this true English inn resonates with history. Moreover, it is also considered to possess numerous ghosts, and has been featured on the television series Most Haunted. See our main Historic Hotels entry for The Mermaid Inn
Shelley’s. Lewes. A “Lady in Blue”, a Cavalier and some poltergeist activity have all been reported in the past. Reviews and reservations can be found at Booking.com
The Montagu Arms
HAMPSHIRE
Montagu Arms. Beaulieu. Both the Montagu Arms and its immediate surroundings are reputed to be haunted by both monks and aristocrats. And given the extremely positive independent reviews of this New Forest country house hotel, one can understand the departed wanting to stick around for a while longer. Reviews are available with Booking.com
The Angel. Lymington. Is this one of the most haunted places to stay in England? Well, quite probably if reports of poltergeist activity are to be believed. And then there’s the ghosts of a sailor, small girl, coachman and piano maestro. Practical details of interest to the traveller can be found at Tripadvisor
The Crown. Alton. It is said that several different apparitions have been seen at The Crown over the years: a gentleman in the cellars; a lady in room 3; and a dog by the fireplace. See Tripadvisor
White Hart. Andover. A female apparition is said to have been seen upstairs, while the bar of the hotel has witnessed a manifestation or two. Apparently. Find out more at Booking.com
Montagu Arms. Beaulieu. Both the Montagu Arms and its immediate surroundings are reputed to be haunted by both monks and aristocrats. And given the extremely positive independent reviews of this New Forest country house hotel, one can understand the departed wanting to stick around for a while longer. Reviews are available with Booking.com
The Angel. Lymington. Is this one of the most haunted places to stay in England? Well, quite probably if reports of poltergeist activity are to be believed. And then there’s the ghosts of a sailor, small girl, coachman and piano maestro. Practical details of interest to the traveller can be found at Tripadvisor
The Crown. Alton. It is said that several different apparitions have been seen at The Crown over the years: a gentleman in the cellars; a lady in room 3; and a dog by the fireplace. See Tripadvisor
White Hart. Andover. A female apparition is said to have been seen upstairs, while the bar of the hotel has witnessed a manifestation or two. Apparently. Find out more at Booking.com
Elvey Farm, Pluckley
KENT
Elvey Farm. Pluckley. This medieval farmstead is today a highly rated country house hotel. Moreover, it also happens to be situated in what many describe as the most haunted village in the UK; quite a claim-to-fame given the ghostly reputation of Britain. Spirits said to reside at Elvey itself include a farmer from 1900 who committed suicide, and a man in military uniform. See Booking.com and Tripadvisor.
Chequers Inn. Smarden. This pretty Kentish inn features a ‘haunted room’ in which a Napoleonic soldier is said to appear from time to time. Legend has it that he was a guest here in 1812, and was stabbed to death by a young woman intent on robbing him. See Booking.com
Eastwell Manor. Ashford. Does a white lady haunt this beautiful old manor house? Some say so. See our specific Historic Hotels page for Eastwell Manor
The George Hotel. Lydd. Almost 400 years old, this archetypal coaching inn of the period is reputed to be home to a few ghosts. Read reviews at TripAdvisor
The Woolpack Inn. Chilham. Dating from the 15th century, one of its resident spirits is said to be the “grey lady”. And she’s quite friendly, apparently. See Booking.com
Elvey Farm. Pluckley. This medieval farmstead is today a highly rated country house hotel. Moreover, it also happens to be situated in what many describe as the most haunted village in the UK; quite a claim-to-fame given the ghostly reputation of Britain. Spirits said to reside at Elvey itself include a farmer from 1900 who committed suicide, and a man in military uniform. See Booking.com and Tripadvisor.
Chequers Inn. Smarden. This pretty Kentish inn features a ‘haunted room’ in which a Napoleonic soldier is said to appear from time to time. Legend has it that he was a guest here in 1812, and was stabbed to death by a young woman intent on robbing him. See Booking.com
Eastwell Manor. Ashford. Does a white lady haunt this beautiful old manor house? Some say so. See our specific Historic Hotels page for Eastwell Manor
The George Hotel. Lydd. Almost 400 years old, this archetypal coaching inn of the period is reputed to be home to a few ghosts. Read reviews at TripAdvisor
The Woolpack Inn. Chilham. Dating from the 15th century, one of its resident spirits is said to be the “grey lady”. And she’s quite friendly, apparently. See Booking.com
Weston Manor
OXFORDSHIRE
Weston Manor. Weston-on-the-Green. The centre of Oxford and its “dreamy spires” is less than a mile away from this beautiful country house hotel. It also happens to be where a spectral coach and horses have been seen. Its most famous otherworldy inhabitant, though, is reputed to be “Mad Maud” – a nun burnt at the stake in the grounds for having an affair with a monk. Room number 7 is supposedly the place where most “activity” has been reported by a few former guests. Well, if you believe in these things, of course. Read reviews at Booking.com
Fyfield Manor. Wallingford. The area which forms the present dining room of this country house bed & breakfast is thought to be part of the original manor house built in 1120 (which would likely make it Oxfordshire’s oldest inhabited building). It may not be well documented, but a few people are said to have encountered the unexplained while staying here. Practical details available via TripAdvisor
Holt Hotel. Steeple Aston. Some say the spirit of notorious highwayman Claude du Vall lurks here, though it's a very different building to when he would have known it. Still, Room 3 is the best choice for ghost hunters, apparently. See Tripadvisor for reviews.
MacDonald Bear Hotel. Woodstock. Spooky footsteps are said to have been heard at this famous hotel near Blenheim Palace. See our Historic Hotel entry for the MacDonald Bear
The George Hotel. Dorchester-on-Thames. Olde-worlde architectural Oxfordshire charm a-plenty, and also reputed to be haunted by a despondent young girl. Booking.com
The George. Wallingford. Parts of this pretty old building date back to the 16th century. And being that old it’s unsurprising that it is alleged to possess a spirit or two. See our specific historic hotel page for The George
Weston Manor. Weston-on-the-Green. The centre of Oxford and its “dreamy spires” is less than a mile away from this beautiful country house hotel. It also happens to be where a spectral coach and horses have been seen. Its most famous otherworldy inhabitant, though, is reputed to be “Mad Maud” – a nun burnt at the stake in the grounds for having an affair with a monk. Room number 7 is supposedly the place where most “activity” has been reported by a few former guests. Well, if you believe in these things, of course. Read reviews at Booking.com
Fyfield Manor. Wallingford. The area which forms the present dining room of this country house bed & breakfast is thought to be part of the original manor house built in 1120 (which would likely make it Oxfordshire’s oldest inhabited building). It may not be well documented, but a few people are said to have encountered the unexplained while staying here. Practical details available via TripAdvisor
Holt Hotel. Steeple Aston. Some say the spirit of notorious highwayman Claude du Vall lurks here, though it's a very different building to when he would have known it. Still, Room 3 is the best choice for ghost hunters, apparently. See Tripadvisor for reviews.
MacDonald Bear Hotel. Woodstock. Spooky footsteps are said to have been heard at this famous hotel near Blenheim Palace. See our Historic Hotel entry for the MacDonald Bear
The George Hotel. Dorchester-on-Thames. Olde-worlde architectural Oxfordshire charm a-plenty, and also reputed to be haunted by a despondent young girl. Booking.com
The George. Wallingford. Parts of this pretty old building date back to the 16th century. And being that old it’s unsurprising that it is alleged to possess a spirit or two. See our specific historic hotel page for The George
Frimley Hall Hotel
SURREY
Frimley Hall. Camberley. Part of the MacDonald hotels group, Frimley Hall is a fine Victorian country house hotel said to be haunted by the spirit of a nanny. Legend has it she accidentally let one of the children in her care fall down the stairs to their death and never forgave herself. Practical information can be found through Booking.com
The Angel Posting House and Livery. Guildford. This famous old coaching inn served travellers between London and Portsmouth for centuries – and welcomed a fair few famous faces during that time. The ghost of a soldier is said to have been seen here on several occasions. See our main entry for The Angel Posting House
The King’s Arms and Royal Hotel. Godalming. There has been a building located on the site of this 17th century hotel since the early 1300’s, and Henry VIII is recorded as having stayed in the current house’s predecessor. The existing premises, however, supposedly played host to none other than Peter the Great in 1698, and some say that his spirit is still here. Reviews and availability checks can be found at Tripadvisor
Oatlands Park. Weybridge. The keenest of ghost-spotters might wish to try staying in the spookily numbered Room 1313 and spend a little time in the restaurant of the hotel after dark. Cold spots have been recorded in the former, and a “grey lady” in the latter. But experience the paranormal or not while staying here, Oatlands still possesses bags-full of history of interest to the enthusiast of past times. See our specific Historic Hotel page for Oatlands Park
Frimley Hall. Camberley. Part of the MacDonald hotels group, Frimley Hall is a fine Victorian country house hotel said to be haunted by the spirit of a nanny. Legend has it she accidentally let one of the children in her care fall down the stairs to their death and never forgave herself. Practical information can be found through Booking.com
The Angel Posting House and Livery. Guildford. This famous old coaching inn served travellers between London and Portsmouth for centuries – and welcomed a fair few famous faces during that time. The ghost of a soldier is said to have been seen here on several occasions. See our main entry for The Angel Posting House
The King’s Arms and Royal Hotel. Godalming. There has been a building located on the site of this 17th century hotel since the early 1300’s, and Henry VIII is recorded as having stayed in the current house’s predecessor. The existing premises, however, supposedly played host to none other than Peter the Great in 1698, and some say that his spirit is still here. Reviews and availability checks can be found at Tripadvisor
Oatlands Park. Weybridge. The keenest of ghost-spotters might wish to try staying in the spookily numbered Room 1313 and spend a little time in the restaurant of the hotel after dark. Cold spots have been recorded in the former, and a “grey lady” in the latter. But experience the paranormal or not while staying here, Oatlands still possesses bags-full of history of interest to the enthusiast of past times. See our specific Historic Hotel page for Oatlands Park
Amberley Castle
WEST SUSSEX
Amberley Castle. Arundel. If 4-star hospitality is as important to you as the possibility of experiencing the paranormal, Amberley Castle might well provide the answer. Stay here and you might encounter a ghost named ‘Emily’ – a servant girl allegedly seduced by a Bishop who lived here, fell pregnant, was spurned and ultimately threw herself from the battlements. See our main entry for Amberley Castle
Ockenden Manor. Cuckfield. A charming Elizabethan country manor dating from the early 1500’s, this South Downs hotel is said to be the eternal abode of a former chambermaid. Read more and check reviews for Ockenden Manor at Booking.com
Norfolk Arms. Arundel. There are records of some mild poltergeist activity having being experienced here in the past. It is, however, seemingly quieter these days. Reviews can be found at Booking.com
The George. Crawley. An old coaching inn with a ghostly resident thought to be a nightwatchman. See our main Historic Hotels entry for The George of Crawley
The White Horse. Storrington. Hilaire Belloc described this old hostelry as one of the “mortal inns, human inns, full of a common and reasonable good” in 1902. Over a century later it is still offering hospitality to visitors to the area around Chichester, Arundel and Worthing. It is also reputed to be haunted by a former landlord who loved the place so much he couldn’t stay away. See our main entry for The White Horse
Amberley Castle. Arundel. If 4-star hospitality is as important to you as the possibility of experiencing the paranormal, Amberley Castle might well provide the answer. Stay here and you might encounter a ghost named ‘Emily’ – a servant girl allegedly seduced by a Bishop who lived here, fell pregnant, was spurned and ultimately threw herself from the battlements. See our main entry for Amberley Castle
Ockenden Manor. Cuckfield. A charming Elizabethan country manor dating from the early 1500’s, this South Downs hotel is said to be the eternal abode of a former chambermaid. Read more and check reviews for Ockenden Manor at Booking.com
Norfolk Arms. Arundel. There are records of some mild poltergeist activity having being experienced here in the past. It is, however, seemingly quieter these days. Reviews can be found at Booking.com
The George. Crawley. An old coaching inn with a ghostly resident thought to be a nightwatchman. See our main Historic Hotels entry for The George of Crawley
The White Horse. Storrington. Hilaire Belloc described this old hostelry as one of the “mortal inns, human inns, full of a common and reasonable good” in 1902. Over a century later it is still offering hospitality to visitors to the area around Chichester, Arundel and Worthing. It is also reputed to be haunted by a former landlord who loved the place so much he couldn’t stay away. See our main entry for The White Horse