Ettington Park Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon is officially recognised as one of the most haunted hotels in the United Kingdom. Named the most haunted hotel in the UK by the AA, guests and staff have reported seeing various spectres and hearing disembodied voices throughout the property.
Historical Background
The Shirleys, one of Warwickshire's oldest families, owned Ettington for many years with their lineage traced back over a thousand years. Archaeological evidence points to human habitation in the area for at least 2,000 years, with the possibility that a Roman villa once existed on the site. In 1935, the mansion became a nursing home and was used as a camp for prisoners of war during World War II. The property has been home to people, nurses, prisoners of war, and many ghost stories throughout its 2,000 year history.
Most Famous Ghost - The Lady in White
The hotel's most popular ghost is that of a woman dressed in a white gown who glides along the corridors of the hotel at night and then just disappears into the walls, frightening guests and hotel staff. She can also be seen at the veranda, always around dusk. Among Ettington Park's many spirits is its resident ghost, the Lady Emma, who notoriously disappears into walls.
Other Notable Spirits
- Mary the Servant Girl: A servant girl named Mary, who is said to have died in a fall, has been spotted on the main staircase. She is also reported to haunt the Oak Room Restaurant.
- The Victorian Lady: An elderly Victorian lady with a 'strong presence' calls the conservatory her home. The old woman in Victorian clothing has been seen and heard walking along the conservatory entrance.
- The Man and His Dog: Several people have witnessed the ghost of a man and his beloved dog wandering in the library and vanishing quickly. A ghost of a man and his dog appeared one night before Christmas Eve, crossing the reception area and disappearing into the library.
- John Pritchard: The corridor by Long Gallery has an apparition thought to be that of John Pritchard, the architect who designed Ettington Park.
- Edward Shirley: The ghost of Edward Shirley has been reported inside the hall.
- The Drowned Children: The Stour Corridor is apparently haunted by two children thought to have drowned in the River Stour, who also possibly haunt the Stour Suite.
- Military Officer and Others: The Long Gallery features the apparition of a military officer and an old lady, along with temperature changes.
Paranormal Activity by Location
- The Library experiences moving books, temperature changes, female and male apparitions (one dressed as a priest), voices being heard, and the sounds of a billiards game.
- The Drawing Room has reports of female voices singing and sightings of a ghostly young boy, with curtains and doors apparently opening and closing on their own. A Walter Scott novel titled 'St Ronan's Well' constantly falls to the floor, always open to a page with a curse.
Former night manager Michael Kenny spoke of floating candlesticks over the mantelpiece in the reception area on Christmas Eve, and ""shadowy presences"" at the entrance and reception.
Photographic Evidence
A writer named Martyn Sutton captured what appears to be a ghostly child's hand resting on his face near his temple while photographed in the drawing room, though he saw nothing out of the ordinary while sitting in the room.
Media Recognition
The hotel was used to photograph the exterior shots of Hill House in the classic 1963 horror film ""The Haunting"" starring Claire Bloom, Julie Harris and Richard Johnson, due to its neo-gothic architecture and scary appearance. It was also featured in the cult classic ""The Watcher in The Woods."" Ettington Park Hotel continues to welcome brave guests who seek paranormal experiences in one of Britain's most historically rich and actively haunted properties, where centuries of history have left an indelible supernatural imprint on the grand Victorian mansion."