A HAUNTING BREAK

For most people, the thought of unwanted ghostly visitors lurking in their hotel would send a shiver down the spine, but for others its half the fun. If cold spots, mysterious noises and ghoulish sights are your idea of the perfect holiday accommodation then a haunted break could make the ideal getaway.

If you’re a fervent history fan, why not combine your interests and enjoy a taste of the Tudor lifestyle at Bolebroke Castle? This historic hunting lodge in Sussex featured in the film The Other Boleyn Girl and became the setting for Henry VIII’s courtship of Anne Boleyn. Any ghost-hunters in the making should not be left disappointed as many ghostly sightings have been reported in the castle, including the figure of a headless women thought to be Anne Boleyn. If this is not enough to whet your appetite, Bolebroke Castle features stunning tapestries depicting scenes from the Tudor period, one of the finest Elizabethan staircases in existence and an exhibition devoted to Henry VIII.

The ghost of Mary Queen of Scots is said to haunt the Talbot Hotel in Oundle, Northamptonshire. The hotel features the oak staircase brought from the ruins of nearby Fotheringhay Castle, and it was

down these steps that Mary walked to her execution. The Talbot Hotel is full of Elizabethan features and the oak beams, open fires and transom windows enhance the sense of history.

Spooky Encounters

If the prospect of grisly, phantom royals is too chilling an ordeal, you might prefer a stay in eerie mansion Gorse Hill. This Georgian mansion is set in 17 acres of Surrey countryside but hides a dark past. Formerly owned by a Lloyd’s underwriter who lost his fortune aboard the ill-fated vessel Titanic, the creepy house has been the setting for many reported strange occurrences throughout its history.

Located in the charming seaside village of Whitby that stands on the edge of the North York Moors, Bagdale Hall Hotel comprises of three historical buildings, with the earliest dating back to 1516. Browne Bushell, a naval officer who was executed for piracy in 1651, is rumoured to haunt his former home - he has been seen and heard walking the stairs.

If you visit the Lumley Castle Hotel in Chester-Le-Street, County Durham, then you might have a spooky encounter with Lady Lily Lumley, the 14th century lady of the manor. It is rumoured that she was murdered by two priests after refusing to follow the Catholic faith, and she is said to wander the corridors and rooms of the castle to this day. There is also Black Jack, a mischievous, cheeky and playful spirit that is said to tease guests by moving belongings around.

For a weekend break with a difference, why not try one of these haunted hotels – you never know, you might just meet one of their uninvited guests…