A Royal Refuge
The Fleece at Cirencester stands on Market Place in the heart of what was once Corinium Dobunnorum, the second-largest Roman town in Britain. The current building dates from 1651, constructed during the tumultuous period of the English Civil Wars when the historic wool trade town found itself caught between Royalist and Parliamentarian forces.
Charles II's Desperate Flight
In September 1651, just days after his catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Worcester, the fugitive King Charles II sought refuge at The Fleece. With a £1,000 bounty on his head and Cromwell's troops scouring the countryside, the 21-year-old monarch travelled disguised as a manservant to Lady Jane Lane. On 11 September, they passed through Cirencester and spent the night at the inn. According to hotel tradition, Charles and Lady Jane rested in what is now Room 1. Their subterfuge succeeded—despite the presence of Parliamentarian soldiers in the town, Charles remained undetected before continuing his perilous journey that would eventually lead to France. He would not return to England for nine years, until the Restoration of 1660.
From Coaching Inn to Modern Hotel
Built as a coaching inn in the mid-17th century, The Fleece served travellers passing through Cirencester on the major routes connecting London, Bath, and Oxford. The Grade II listed building retains much of its original character despite numerous alterations and extensions over the centuries. The property commemorates its royal connection in the name of its 1651 Bar & Restaurant. Following a major refurbishment in 2017, the hotel now offers 28 individually designed rooms that blend 17th-century architectural features with contemporary luxury, all while maintaining the quirky charm expected of a building with nearly 375 years of history. Resident Spirits
The Ghostly Cavalier
Staff members have reported encounters with the apparition of a cavalier in period dress wandering the corridors. Given the hotel's direct connection to Charles II and the English Civil War, many believe this spirit may be connected to that turbulent era—perhaps a Royalist soldier or even a manifestation linked to the king's desperate flight through Cirencester.
The Elderly Lady
An elderly female spirit has been seen roaming the halls of The Fleece. Her identity remains unknown, though she appears with enough regularity that multiple staff members have witnessed her presence over the years. Paranormal Activity
Visual Phenomena
Guest experiences include sightings of shadowy figures in rooms during the night. One family reported their daughter being disturbed by shadows when woken in the middle of the night, suggesting the presence of unexplained visual manifestations in the guest accommodations.
Apparitions
The most frequently reported paranormal activity involves full apparitions of both the cavalier and the elderly lady, witnessed primarily by hotel staff during their duties throughout the building.
Modern Day
Today, The Fleece operates as a boutique hotel and restaurant in the heart of Cirencester, known as the "Capital of the Cotswolds." The hotel features individually decorated rooms with statement wallpapers and period features, a popular bar and restaurant serving locally sourced cuisine, and comfortable lounges with fireplaces. Located on the town's historic market square, The Fleece provides an ideal base for exploring the Cotswolds, with the Corinium Museum, Roman amphitheatre, and Cirencester Park all within walking distance. While the hotel doesn't actively promote its haunted reputation or offer ghost tours, staff members quietly acknowledge the paranormal encounters that have occurred within its 17th-century walls.