7 Haunted Places Where You Can Actually Spend the Night

By Jess McHugh
October 18, 2017
Credit: Getty Images/Glowimages RF
With Halloween fast approaching, and many of us already getting into the spirit by carving pumpkins and eating too much candy corn, there's no reason not to apply that same passion for the spooky and the macabre to your next trip.

The U.K. has a host of castles, hotels, and inns where visitors can stay for a weekend and explore eerie legends for themselves. Friendly ghosts, former smugglers, and other spooky apparitions all haunt the moors and valleys of Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

Beyond their haunted lore, these locations — compiled with help from Visit Britain, the official British tourism board — offer the chance for visitors to enjoy architecture from hundreds of years ago, while serving as a jumping off point to explore the surrounding countryside, culture, and culinary experiences.

This list is far from an exhaustive run-down of all of the haunted locations in the U.K., but here are seven of our favorite places where tourists can actually spend the night.
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Ettington Park Hotel, England

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This 19th-century country house set in a lush valley is said to be haunted by several different spirits, including Lady Emma, a woman in a white gown who glides along the hallway.

Rooms at Ettington Park Hotel are approximately $124 for Halloween night.

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Drover's Inn, Scotland

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Located in Loch Lomond, this quaint inn plays host to an entire family of ghosts, according to local legend. In 1792, a young family was caught in a snowstorm while attempting to seek shelter at Drover's Inn. They all perished, and guests of the inn report having seen the entire family, finally safe.

Rooms start at just $46 per night.

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Ballygally Castle, Ireland

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Only 35 minutes from Belfast on the Antrim coastline, the Ballygally Castle dates from the 17th century and overlooks Ballygally Bay. Friendly ghost Lady Isabella Shaw is said to wander the rooms after she was imprisoned by her cruel husband.

A one-night stay on Halloween starts at $145.

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Black Swan Hotel, England

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Dating back five centuries, this hotel is the perfect launching pad to explore the culture and culinary offerings of York. Several different ghosts have been sighted here, including a man with a bowler hat, and a pair of disembodied legs.

Rooms at the Black Swan Inn start at approximately $145.

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Jamaica Inn, England

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With its smuggler's past, Jamaica Inn Hotel has played host to a variety of ghosts since it was built in 1750.

Prices for Halloween night start at $85.

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Gwydir Castle, Wales

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Situated at the foothills of Snowdonia, this gorgeous Welsh castle dates all the way back to the 15th century, when it served as a royal residence. Gwydir Castle is known as one of the most haunted houses in Wales, including the spirit of a dead servant girl allegedly murdered by a wealthy homeowner.

Rates begin at approximately $125 per night.

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Skirrid Mountain Inn, Wales

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Back when the building was a criminal court, approximately 180 people were tried and put to death here, according to local legend. Now guests can enjoy cozy accommodations and highly rated pub food.

A room for two people, including breakfast, costs approximately $118.

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