The Victorian Mansion
The Ayrlington stands as a handsome English Heritage listed building constructed of golden Bath stone in 1874 by architect J Elkinton Gill. This Victorian mansion was built during an era of significant expansion in the Bathwick area, which had been developed as a Georgian New Town in the late 18th century following the construction of Pulteney Bridge in 1774. The building occupies a prime position on Pulteney Road South, offering exceptional views across Bath to the medieval Abbey. During the Victorian period when The Ayrlington was constructed, Bath was experiencing profound social change—the city's churchyards were being closed due to overcrowding, and new cemeteries were being established throughout Bathwick to accommodate the deceased.
Bathwick's Georgian Legacy
The Bathwick Estate was commissioned by Sir William Pulteney and designed by architect Thomas Baldwin, with most construction occurring between 1788 and 1792. The grand houses were built on former marshland, with facades designed by prominent architects while individual developers created the interiors behind them. This means each building, though outwardly similar, possesses unique internal features and quirks—characteristics that may contribute to The Ayrlington's paranormal activity. Spirits of the Past The elegant Victorian house now operates as a luxury 5-star guesthouse with 19 individually themed rooms, some featuring four-poster beds and antique furniture. Yet within these beautifully appointed chambers, guests encounter more than period décor. The phantom presence manifests through multiple phenomena: mirrors moving of their own accord, electronics activating without human intervention, and most disturbingly, the partial apparition of a figure whose boots and lower legs have been witnessed on multiple occasions. The scratching sounds within the walls—initially dismissed as vermin—carry with them an inexplicable sense of dread that prevents guests from relaxing. Some speculate these sounds and the oppressive atmosphere may be connected to the building's Victorian origins, a period when death and mourning were omnipresent in Bath society. The identity of the spirits remains unknown, though their continued presence suggests unfinished business within the walls of this 150-year-old mansion.
Modern Day
Today, The Ayrlington welcomes guests to its award-winning oriental gardens and elegantly themed rooms, maintaining its status as one of Bath's premier accommodations. The property has earned numerous accolades including five stars from Visit Britain and multiple Bath in Bloom garden awards. Staff members are aware of the building's supernatural reputation, with at least one employee acknowledging guest reports of phantom figures. The paranormal activity appears most concentrated in specific rooms, though manifestations have been reported throughout the property, suggesting multiple entities may reside within this Victorian treasure.