Haunted Hotels in The West Country
Reputedly haunted hotels and inns in Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire
The Royal Lion, Lyme Regis
DORSET
Royal Lion Hotel. Lyme Regis. The sound of ethereal footsteps and cold spots are said to be experienced by some at this 16th century inn. And if you don’t find a spook, you can always look for dinosaur fossils nearby – Lyme Regis is at the heart of the famous Jurassic Coast. Practical information, whether interested in the paranormal or not, is available at Booking.com
Anglebury House. Wareham. This 16th century house has connections to both Lawrence of Arabia and Thomas Hardy. Ghost hunters, however, will no doubt be more intrigued to learn of its resident ghost: a friendly young girl sometimes seen by both guests and staff alike. Read reviews courtesy of TripAdvisor
Grosvenor Hotel. Shaftesbury. A ‘Grey Lady’ and spectral monks are supposed to be in residence here. But, then again, paranormal experts do seem to suggest it is one of Britain’s most haunted hotels. TripAdvisor
The Bridge House. Beaminster. Some say this ancient old inn is haunted by a ghostly lady. Alas, there’s little other documented evidence. Online reservations and reviews for The Bridge House are available through Booking.com.
The Crown Hotel. Blandford Forum. A strange presence is said to be felt by some who stay here. But apparently nothing so bad that one would be running for the exits. Thankfully. More information can be had at Booking.com.
Royal Lion Hotel. Lyme Regis. The sound of ethereal footsteps and cold spots are said to be experienced by some at this 16th century inn. And if you don’t find a spook, you can always look for dinosaur fossils nearby – Lyme Regis is at the heart of the famous Jurassic Coast. Practical information, whether interested in the paranormal or not, is available at Booking.com
Anglebury House. Wareham. This 16th century house has connections to both Lawrence of Arabia and Thomas Hardy. Ghost hunters, however, will no doubt be more intrigued to learn of its resident ghost: a friendly young girl sometimes seen by both guests and staff alike. Read reviews courtesy of TripAdvisor
Grosvenor Hotel. Shaftesbury. A ‘Grey Lady’ and spectral monks are supposed to be in residence here. But, then again, paranormal experts do seem to suggest it is one of Britain’s most haunted hotels. TripAdvisor
The Bridge House. Beaminster. Some say this ancient old inn is haunted by a ghostly lady. Alas, there’s little other documented evidence. Online reservations and reviews for The Bridge House are available through Booking.com.
The Crown Hotel. Blandford Forum. A strange presence is said to be felt by some who stay here. But apparently nothing so bad that one would be running for the exits. Thankfully. More information can be had at Booking.com.
The King's Arms, Stow on the Wold
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
The Kings Arms. Stow-on-the-Wold. Up to date information about ghostly-goings-on at this 500-year-old hotel isn’t that easy to find, but it has certainly witnessed some strange phenomena in the past. See our main Historic Hotels entry for The Kings Arms
The Ragged Cot. Minchinhampton. It is said that one of the Cot’s former landlords murdered their family many-moons ago and that their ghosts are still seen from time to time. Find out more at TripAdvisor
Tudor House Hotel. Tewkesbury. Given that it dated from the mid 1500’s, this timber-framed property is aptly named. But the apparition here is unconnected to England’s most famous royal dynasty – a black dog has previously been seen in the building. And a ‘grey lady’, too. Reviews can be found at Booking.com
Cardynham House. Painswick. Stroud is only a few miles to the south of this attractive Cotswold village house. It is said that a mysterious woman has been seen on the landing of the property from time to time. Check availability at Booking.com
Prestbury House. Nr Cheltenham. Located in what some consider the most haunted village in the UK, Prestbury House is itself reputed to be home to a fair few otherworldly residents. Horses hooves at curious times of the night, the spectre of a Civil War Royalist messenger, and a ‘hooded monk’ on the adjoining lane are just a few of the strange happenings at this Cotswold country house hotel. Learn more courtesy of TripAdvisor
The Kings Arms. Stow-on-the-Wold. Up to date information about ghostly-goings-on at this 500-year-old hotel isn’t that easy to find, but it has certainly witnessed some strange phenomena in the past. See our main Historic Hotels entry for The Kings Arms
The Ragged Cot. Minchinhampton. It is said that one of the Cot’s former landlords murdered their family many-moons ago and that their ghosts are still seen from time to time. Find out more at TripAdvisor
Tudor House Hotel. Tewkesbury. Given that it dated from the mid 1500’s, this timber-framed property is aptly named. But the apparition here is unconnected to England’s most famous royal dynasty – a black dog has previously been seen in the building. And a ‘grey lady’, too. Reviews can be found at Booking.com
Cardynham House. Painswick. Stroud is only a few miles to the south of this attractive Cotswold village house. It is said that a mysterious woman has been seen on the landing of the property from time to time. Check availability at Booking.com
Prestbury House. Nr Cheltenham. Located in what some consider the most haunted village in the UK, Prestbury House is itself reputed to be home to a fair few otherworldly residents. Horses hooves at curious times of the night, the spectre of a Civil War Royalist messenger, and a ‘hooded monk’ on the adjoining lane are just a few of the strange happenings at this Cotswold country house hotel. Learn more courtesy of TripAdvisor
Arnos Manor, Bristol
SOMERSET AND AVON
Arnos Manor. Bristol. A former merchant’s house dating from the late eighteenth century, Arnos Manor boasts what was once a convent chapel. Indeed, one of its otherworldly residents is said to be a nun, and slight poltergeist activity has also been witnessed. Oh, and figures walking up stairs that aren’t even there anymore. Booking.com
Ston Easton Park. Bath. Once rumoured to be haunted by a maid, even if you don’t encounter the unexplained at Ston Easton, you’ll still be staying in a fine period country house hotel which is highly recommended by independent reviewers. Find out what others say at Booking.com
The Crown Hotel. Wells. At the centre of the glorious little city of Wells, this 15th century coaching inn has been the location of ghostly activity in the past. See our historic hotels entry for The Crown
The George Inn. Norton St. Philip. This exceptional Grade I listed building really does offer some “time travel” ambience, and some have reported strange occurrences including mysterious ‘orbs’ in the past. Mind you, it was used by the infamous Judge Jeffreys during the Bloody Assize, so if anywhere can claim to be haunted, it must be here. See our specific page for The George Inn at Norton St Philip
The George and Pilgrim Inn. Glastonbury. Built during the late 15th century to provide shelter for those visiting the abbey (where legend says King Arthur was buried), the G&P is supposedly home to otherworldly folks. Read reviews at Booking.com
Arnos Manor. Bristol. A former merchant’s house dating from the late eighteenth century, Arnos Manor boasts what was once a convent chapel. Indeed, one of its otherworldly residents is said to be a nun, and slight poltergeist activity has also been witnessed. Oh, and figures walking up stairs that aren’t even there anymore. Booking.com
Ston Easton Park. Bath. Once rumoured to be haunted by a maid, even if you don’t encounter the unexplained at Ston Easton, you’ll still be staying in a fine period country house hotel which is highly recommended by independent reviewers. Find out what others say at Booking.com
The Crown Hotel. Wells. At the centre of the glorious little city of Wells, this 15th century coaching inn has been the location of ghostly activity in the past. See our historic hotels entry for The Crown
The George Inn. Norton St. Philip. This exceptional Grade I listed building really does offer some “time travel” ambience, and some have reported strange occurrences including mysterious ‘orbs’ in the past. Mind you, it was used by the infamous Judge Jeffreys during the Bloody Assize, so if anywhere can claim to be haunted, it must be here. See our specific page for The George Inn at Norton St Philip
The George and Pilgrim Inn. Glastonbury. Built during the late 15th century to provide shelter for those visiting the abbey (where legend says King Arthur was buried), the G&P is supposedly home to otherworldly folks. Read reviews at Booking.com
The Montagu Arms
WILTSHIRE
Black Swan. Devizes. This 1700’s coaching inn possesses cellars which predate the existing structure by some time. These, so some say, are haunted, as indeed is Room 4 where guests have reported seeing a young woman in a white dress pass through the walls. For rates and reservations, check Booking.com
Red Lion. Avebury. Set amid the extraordinary stone circle which surrounds the village of Avebury, the Red Lion is an old inn in which has formerly been voted one of the top ten most haunted pubs in the world. Spirits here include “Florrie” (who is often seen around the covered well in the bar area) as well as other unidentified men, women and children. Alas, it isn't offering accommodation at present.
The Kings Arms. Monkton Farleigh. The apparitions of a monk and wailing woman have both been reported at this history-rich inn near Bath. TripAdvisor
The Old Bell. Malmesbury. Without question, The Old Bell is one of the oldest hotels in England, with parts of the existing building thought to date as far back as 1220AD. Naturally, its resident “Grey Lady” is a lesser claim-to-fame than its ancient heritage, but is still of interest nonetheless. See our specific Historic Hotels page devoted to The Old Bell
Black Swan. Devizes. This 1700’s coaching inn possesses cellars which predate the existing structure by some time. These, so some say, are haunted, as indeed is Room 4 where guests have reported seeing a young woman in a white dress pass through the walls. For rates and reservations, check Booking.com
Red Lion. Avebury. Set amid the extraordinary stone circle which surrounds the village of Avebury, the Red Lion is an old inn in which has formerly been voted one of the top ten most haunted pubs in the world. Spirits here include “Florrie” (who is often seen around the covered well in the bar area) as well as other unidentified men, women and children. Alas, it isn't offering accommodation at present.
The Kings Arms. Monkton Farleigh. The apparitions of a monk and wailing woman have both been reported at this history-rich inn near Bath. TripAdvisor
The Old Bell. Malmesbury. Without question, The Old Bell is one of the oldest hotels in England, with parts of the existing building thought to date as far back as 1220AD. Naturally, its resident “Grey Lady” is a lesser claim-to-fame than its ancient heritage, but is still of interest nonetheless. See our specific Historic Hotels page devoted to The Old Bell