The Castle Hotel in Wales is said to be one of the most haunted hotels in the UK with the tragic ghost of a young maid roaming its rooms for hundreds of years
Just over an hours drive away from Liverpool stands one of the UK’s most haunted hotels – The Castle Hotel in Conwy. The ancient fishing port is often overlooked as tourists head in their droves to nearby Betsy-Coed or the ever popular Isle of Anglesey. But with its imposing 15th century castle dominating the skyline, cobbled streets, a stunning 16th century Tudor house which is arguably better preserved than any other in the United Kingdom, Conwy has buckets to offer.
From cobbled streets, perfect to meander around, to quaint shops, not the mention the raft of olde world watering holes, filled with beams, cosy fires and an admirable selection of ales and wines, there’s something for everyone in this corner of Wales. Then, there’s the stunning marina, a beautiful harbour with stunning views of the castle and surrounding Snowdonia, filled with tiny fishing boats and beautiful clear waters. A perfect place to sit and while away an hour (and eat fish and chips followed by a delicious ice-cream).
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Right on the marina is the country’s smallest house and this really does have to be seen to be believed. Somehow, a family of six squeezed into these two tiny rooms (and it really is best not to ask about the lack of washing facilities). While it’s undoubtable Conwy is a stunning town – and I definitely made the most of it – this wasn’t the purpose of my visit. I was on a ghost hunt.
It was a crisp afternoon when I checked into The Castle Hotel in Conwy. A charming period property which has been welcoming guests for the last 300 years right in the heart of Conwy – plenty of time for ghosts to make it their home. The hotel has welcomed some very illustrious visitors in its time – from Queen Victoria to poet William Wordsworth and civil engineers Thomas Telford and George Stephenson.
Visitors are welcomed by the building’s stunning facade and as soon as you walk through the doors you’re greeted by a glorious, warming bar with a real fire and perfect for a quick pick-me-up on a chilly autumnal day. The lovely staff checked me into my room – 209 the most haunted in the hotel.
The Castle Hotel is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former maid, who had travelled to work there from her home in Anglesey. Her only condition…. If she died while working there, her remains would be taken back to her beloved home island, where she would be buried.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck and her wishes were ignored, with the poor maid being buried in the ancient church yard directly behind – and visible from room 209. But this is not where the story ends. Just a few weeks following her passing, strange events started happening in the hotel. Waiters reported being tripped over and water jugs would shatter with no explanation. Finally, worried enough about all the unexplained events, the girl’s body was exhumed from her final resting place and sent back to Anglesey, where she remains to this day.
That isn’t the end of the strange phenomenon. Staff to this day report hearing footsteps in empty rooms, photos along one of the corridors and moved so they no longer hang straight and lights that had previously been turned off mysteriously flicker back on. It was with this in mind I entered the ‘most haunted room’ with some trepidation and the moment I opened the curtains, I saw something that I simply cannot forget – the incredible view of the castle.
There can be few better from any of the homes in Conwy. Its majestic turrets towering over the town, bringing its hundreds and hundreds of years of history to life. During my three nights in the Castle Hotel Conwy, I sampled the delicious evening menu – would high recommend the risotto and the fish and chips looked to die for – and enjoyed several drinks in the packed and cosy bar.
Breakfasts were delicious Welsh fare and set you up perfectly for a day exploring all the town and the surrounding countryside has to offer. Sadly, during my three nights I wasn’t visited by any paranormal beings – but the stay at the Castle Hotel was unforgettable for many more pleasant reasons.