The most haunted hotels in the UK for a supernatural staycation

We’re a superstitious bunch, us Brits. Some surveys show that up to 40 per cent of us believe in ghosts and other supernatural entities, from poltergeists to spirits. Luckily for the paranormal-obsessed travel addicts among us, there’s no shortage of supposedly haunted hotels across the country. The most haunted hotels in the UK range from celebrated, storied London havens where spectral guests play around with the lifts, to charming village stays where visitors from the realm beyond have freighted guests so much they’ve pulled the plug on their night away. From Edinburgh’s Old Town to the heart of Cornwall, these are the haunted hotels to bookmark for an otherworldly escape.

Mermaid Street, RyeDukas/Getty Images

The Mermaid Inn, Rye

Visit the chocolate box village of Rye on a bright summer’s day and it’s hard not to fall in love with its olde-worlde Sussex charm. However, come nightfall, things reportedly get a little sinister – particularly in the area’s most notorious hotel. With cellars dating back to 1156 and the rest of the restaurant and hotel being rebuilt in 1420, it’s little wonder that these walls hold plenty of secrets. Expect plenty of paranormal action as the lights go down, such as the spectral man witnessed walking through a bathroom wall in room ten (Fleur De Lys) that caused guests such a fright that they spent the rest of the night in the lounge. There have been plenty of reports of a ‘Lady in White’ from guests in room one (James), while other visitors have witnessed a duel being fought in room 16 (The Elizabethan Bedchamber).

The Langham, London

The Langham, Marylebone, London

A German prince who walks through doors first thing in the morning? An emperor who hangs out in the basement? These are just some of the tales reported from guests of The Langham, long regarded as one of the best hotels in London. Then there’s room 333, a hotspot for mysterious apparitions and unexplainable movements. Should the fear get all too much, there’s no shortage of things to keep guests entertained or calm them down, from an opulent spa to several glitzy restaurants and bars.

Jamaica Inn, Bodmin MoorGetty Images

Jamaica Inn, Cornwall

Few Cornish havens lean into their dark past quite like The Jamaica Inn, set on a rise looking over the infamous Bodmin Moor. Now a popular haven for travellers seeking a quirky stay within easy reach of the country’s natural wonders, these walls have witnessed their fair share of wickedness as smugglers passed through over the centuries. Disembodied footsteps, rolling barrels, and child ghosts led the Most Haunted team to set up for the night, resulting in one of their most active investigations. If guests of bygone times fail to make themselves known, nurse a drink and look to the horizon – you may be lucky enough to spot the Beast of Bodmin prowling through the landscape.

The Witchery, Edinburgh

The Witchery by the Castle, Edinburgh

This historic hotel in the Scottish capital draws believers and sceptical tourists in their droves, each keeping an ear out for ghostly movements in the early hours of the morning. Found in the heart of the Old Town, The Witchery has become known as one of the most haunted hotels in the UK thanks to its proximity to the Castle Esplanade and The Witches Well, where more than 300 victims were put to death for witchcraft during the reign of James VI, when paranoia around the paranormal was at an all-time high. Edinburgh has a fascinating history and, subsequently, myriad paranormal tales – get under the skin of the city’s happenings on a guided ghost tour.

Dovecote in Pluckley, EnglandGetty Images

Elvey Farm Country Hotel, Pluckley, Kent

As you’d expect, Britain’s most haunted village offers a stay that could come with complimentary freights. In the picturesque village and civil parish of Pluckley, in Kent, you’ll find Elvey Farm Country Hotel. According to Haunted Rooms, the most prolific ghost in these parts is in the spectral form of Edward Brett, a farmer who shot himself in the dairy in 1900 – a verdict at the time deemed him “temporarily insane”. Keep an eye out for Edward as he ambles through the corridors and sends whispers echoing around the dairy. An evening in the village is a bucket list outing for any budding ghost hunter, where the tales of a dozen or so resident ghosts are revealed on guided tours.

Ettington Park HotelGetty Images

Ettington Park Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon

A short drive from the Shakespearean draws of Stratford-upon-Avon lies Ettington Park Hotel, a luxurious bolthole that has long been regarded as one of the UK’s most haunted hotels. There’s evidence of human activity on this patch for thousands of years, and Norman foundations were followed by centuries of construction and remodelling to create the gorgeous property we see today. Keep watch for the female figure in Victorian clothing seen ambling along the conservatory entrance, listen out for the ghost of a man and his beloved four-legged friend in the library, and pray the spectral monk makes an appearance after nightfall.

The Savoy, LondonJACK HARDY

The Savoy, London

The Strand’s most iconic hotel has welcomed esteemed guests for more than 135 years – a few of whom have seen their fair share of ghostly happenings. While most stays pass with little more than the ring of a butler’s bell as visitors admire sweeping views of the winding River Thames, others have checked out with intriguing tales. From a young girl who enjoys operating the lift to paranormal activity on the fifth floor, there’s enough to introduce budding ghost hunters into the world beyond. There’s no shortage of stories in this corner of town, too – stay alert for an uneasy feeling in Embankment Underground Station and watch out for the ghost of William Terriss, who was stabbed to death while entering the Adelphi Theatre.