Steeped in rich history and quirky, local traditions, some dating back to the 1300s, there’s a tale to tell of ghoulies and ghosties and things that go bump in the night. As Halloween approaches and we near the witching hour, here’s some spooky updates, ghost stories and tempting (trick or) treats from the Great Inns of Britain.
Renowned as the landing spot for Bram Stoker’s
Dracula you would expect the
White Horse and Griffin to have many ghosts in its closets.
Throughout the years they have shared their customers spooky experiences with the supernatural, particularly with their previous proprietor, Mrs Bowler. She was a woman best avoided, she took her judgement on people very soon and if she took a disliking to you, you knew about it. One night, she slipped and fell on the inns steps, went unconscious and then passed away, since her death, customers have reported feeling very welcome in the inn, or very unwelcome.
Her story spread and in the 1980s there was even an offer for customers to attempt to stay the night, and if they managed it they would win £50…
No one managed it.
Since then there have been customers who would have to get up and leave in the night due to an overwhelming feeling of dread, and some say that Mrs Bowler haunts the place to this day.
The White Horse and Griffin have shared other spooky stories on social media, check them out and book your next break at Whitby’s oldest coaching inn… if you dare.
Just a few miles from the
Rose and Crown is the Bowes Museum, who are hosting a
Halloween Family Fun Day. There’s Halloween excitement for all the family, make a witch’s broom, a magic lantern or some spooky spiders. They have many crafty activities to keep you out of mischief and a pumpkin trail to follow outside. A day full of surprises!
After your day out, head back to The Rose and Crown for dinner, where the kitchen team create great tasting food that utilises the best of local produce.
Shibden Hall is only a short drive from
Shibden Mill Inn and is one of the most haunted buildings in the area. The hall was owned by the Lister family from 1615 until 1933, Its most famous occupant was Anne Lister who inherited the estate in 1826 following the death of her uncle James. The most prominent and enduring of Lister’s affairs was with Ann Walker, who is also considered to be the cause of most hauntings at the hall, her spirit haunting the red room where she barricaded herself in the years after Lister’s death and attempted to take her own life.
Tony Sharpe, an attendant at the hall for twenty-six years recalls an encounter at dawn with a nebulous black shape moving overhead and on several occasions the smell of pipe-smoke in the cellar and tower, thought to be an echo of the last occupant Dr. John Lister.
There are also reports of a former curator who witnessed a cat pass straight through her office wall; the ghost of a girl drowned in a nearby pond, who only appears in summer; and finally the manifestation of a headless coachman who drives around the grounds by night in a distinctive yellow-liveried coach made for Lord Lonsdale in the 18th Century and now on display at the Hall.
Find out more about the hauntings here.
There’s lots of magical mischief and mystery taking place just down the road from the
Peacock, Rowsley. Enjoy autumnal fun and Halloween horrors in the farmyard at
Chatsworth House this half-term holiday. There’s frighteningly good fun around every corner, If you’re feeling brave you could even go on a mysterious journey on their spooky tractor and trailer ride – who knows what lies in store?
After a day of fun head back to your base at The Peacock, and enjoy triple AA rosette dining and a roaring fire in the bar.
For over 750 years, the Ingilby family have lived and died at
Ripley Castle, and there was no death more tragic than Dame Alicia Ingilby who died of a broken heart having lost both her children to meningitis – and who drifts gently and sadly around the castle mourning her loss. Her children however are mischievous hauntings. They have experienced many disappearing items such as keys and silver spoons. Strangely they are particularly naughty when there are babies in the castle as well.
Your visit to Ripley Castle is complementary with your stay at The Boar’s Head, pop in and say hello to Sir Thomas and Lady Emma Ingilby, who still reside in the castle and look after the estate to this day.
We hope you enjoyed our Spirit Guide and we wish you a suitably spooky and happy Halloween from the Great Inns of Britain.
