The Most Haunted Places in the Cotswolds: A Journey Through the Regions Spookiest Places
The Cotswolds, a region known for its picturesque landscapes and charming villages, also hides a more mysterious side. If you’re brave enough to explore, you’ll find chilling tales of ghostly apparitions, haunted castles, and spectral figures that have roamed these lands for centuries. Here are some of the most haunted spots in the Cotswolds:
Prestbury: England’s Most Haunted Village
Prestbury, reputedly England’s most haunted village, is said to be home to more than a dozen ghosts that haunt its lanes and buildings. One of the most infamous spectres is the Black Abbot, regularly seen in the church and churchyard, treading the same path with eerie precision. Another ghostly resident is a charging horseman, often spotted on his galloping steed along Shaw Green Lane and the Burgage. Legend has it that the Headless Horseman, another chilling apparition, was a royal dispatch rider who was beheaded by the Roundheads of Prestbury after a brutal interrogation.
If you’re nearby, consider visiting Amber Cottage or the Granary at Hunt Court, which stand close to these ghostly haunts.
Sudeley Castle: A Thousand Years of Hauntings
Sudeley Castle, with its 1,000-year history, is no stranger to ghostly encounters. Its halls have witnessed the footsteps of many kings and queens, including Richard III, Henry VIII, Lady Jane Grey, Elizabeth I, and Charles I. The most prominent ghost here is that of Katherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII’s six wives, who died tragically in 1548. Her spirit is said to wander the castle’s corridors and nursery, often accompanied by the haunting cries of a child. If you notice the scent of apple perfume or spot a tall lady in a green dress, you might be in the presence of Katherine Parr herself.
Nearby cottages on the Sudeley Estate such as Princess Elizabeth and Oliver Cromwell make for intriguing places to stay.
Woodchester Mansion: An Unfinished Gothic Masterpiece
Woodchester Mansion, an unfinished Gothic masterpiece, is infamous for its sinister spirits and oppressive atmosphere, making it a popular destination for ghost hunters. Those who dare to stay overnight report experiences of extreme temperature changes, unexplained sounds, and even apparitions. The mansion’s haunted reputation makes it a perfect location for a spine-chilling ghost hunt — but it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted.
Visitors can stay at nearby cottages such as Lucknow Cottage or Cotswold Way Cottage, both just a short distance from the mansion’s ghostly grounds.
Broadway Hotel: The Ghostly Grey Ladies
Dating back to the 16th century, Broadway Hotel has long been associated with paranormal activity. Guests and staff frequently report sightings of grey ladies mysteriously vanishing up the wooden stairway. However, the most commonly reported ghost has never been seen — only heard. The sound of a woman sobbing echoes through the minstrel’s gallery above the main lounge in the early hours of the morning, sending chills down the spines of those who hear it.
Stay at Box Cottage nearby.
The Ancient Ram Inn: A Hotspot for Ghost Hunters
Wotton-under-Edge is home to one of the most haunted buildings in the country — the Ancient Ram Inn. This eerie inn is said to be the dwelling place of numerous spirits, including a witch who was burned at the stake in the 1500s, the ghost of a monk known as The Bishop, and Elizabeth, a woman murdered and buried beneath the bar. The land on which the inn stands is believed to have been used for pagan burial rituals and sacrifices, adding to its dark reputation.
Nearby, you can find Christmas Cottage and New Church Cottage.
Minster Lovell Hall: The Haunting Ruins
On a misty Halloween morning, there are few places more eerie than the haunting ruins of Minster Lovell Hall. This 15th-century manor house, abandoned and demolished in the 18th century, is the site of several spooky legends. The ghost of Lord Lovell is often glimpsed wandering among its atmospheric ruins. According to the story, he was hidden in a secret chamber within the hall after the Battle of Stoke Field in 1487. Only one trusted servant knew of his hiding place, but after the servant’s death, Lord Lovell was left to his grim fate. In 1708, workmen discovered his skeleton, along with that of his faithful dog.
Stay nearby at Lovell Cottage or Betty’s Cottage.
Berkeley Castle: The Scene of a Royal Murder
Berkeley Castle, the scene of a gruesome royal murder, makes for a chilling day out in the haunted Cotswolds. King Edward II met a grisly end here in 1327, reportedly murdered on the orders of his wife, Queen Isabella, and her lover, Roger Mortimer, with a red-hot poker. The room where he died can still be visited today, and his screams are often heard echoing through the castle on the anniversary of his death.
Nearby, Down Farm Manor provides a peaceful retreat.
