Lumley Castle Hotel in Durham has intrigue, conspiracy and lots of hauntings – enough to scare the Australian cricket team. RICK HALE introduces us to Lumley Hotel Castle Ghosts!
Lumley Castle Hotel
Ropery Lane, Chester Le Street, DH3 4NX
Lumley Castle Hotel is a Grade 1 listed 14th century building in the north of England, near the city of Durham
Lumley Castle has long been believed to be haunted by several spirits and all have been encountered by numerous people.
However, two spirits with with two very divergent agendas are experienced the most. One appears to be a trickster spirit.
While the other spirit seems to take pleasure in terrifying whomever crosses her path.
Conspiracy In Lumley Castle Hotel’s History
Lumley Castle began its long history in the 14th century as a manor house built by Sir Ralph Lumley when he returned from the wars in Scotland.
By all accounts, Sir Ralph, was loyal to the king of England. All that changed when it was discovered that he was involved in a conspiracy to overthrow King Henry VI.
Sir Ralph was found guilty and beheaded for his part in the plot. All of Lumley’s lands and the castle was given to the Earl of Somerset.
In 1421, Thomas Lumley, restored the family name and bought back the castle.
Since then, Lumley castle has been a residence for University college of Durham. But it was in 1976, when it became a hotel, that the castle gained it’s ghostly reputation.
The Vengeful Ghost Of Lily Lumley
The oldest ghost story of Lumley Castle, concerns the 14th century lady of the manor, Lily Lumley.
According to legend, Lily was murdered by two Catholic priests when she refused to convert to the Catholic faith.
To hide the body, the priests threw it down a well on the property.
However, Lady Lily refused to stay quiet.
Since becoming a hotel, the vengeful wraith of Lady Lily has been witnessed wandering the corridors of the castle.
She is said to let out a bone chilling shriek as she flys towards whomever is unlucky enough to encounter her. She vanishes just before she strikes, Leaving a very frightened witness.
The castle made headlines in 2005, when the Australian cricket team fled the hotel in the middle of the night in their under garments.
When questioned, they claimed a horrific ghost chased them from the hotel. Not one of them returned after their harrowing experience.
Black Jack at Lumley Castle Hotel
The second most active spirit in the hotel has been affectionately called, Black Jack by the staff.
No one knows who Black Jack was in life, but unlike Lady Lily, this spirit enjoys playing innocent pranks.
Black Jack has been known to steal guests belongings and hide them in strange places.
He does have a destructive side though.
Black Jack is known to push glasses off tables and likes slamming doors in the middle of the night.
Other Lumley Castle Hotel Ghosts
There are several other, less active ghosts in the castle.
Screaming and laughing children have been heard on the top floor when no living children are present.
The apparition of a strange man has been seen sitting at the bar. He watches guests for a few moments then vanishes leaving an icy chill.
And lastly, anomalous lights have been witnessed flying around the darkened corridors late at night when everyone is asleep.
Haunted Lumley Castle offers 72 uniquely decorated rooms that bring the old and new together.
The castle’s restaurant, The Black Knight is sure to satisfy the foodie among its guests.
And if you’re looking to unwind after a long day of either searching for the castle’s ghosts, or exploring Durham, afternoon tea is served in The Library Bar.
Lumley Castle Hotel is every bit the haunted English castle offering scares and comfort for those who stay.
Watch Lumley Castle History Video
Have you been to the Lumley Castle Hotel – do you have any Lumley Castle Ghost Stories? Tell us about it in the comments section below!
I spent a night at the castle just 3or so months ago. It’s splendid! Excellent food, beautiful bedroom, the castle itself and staff are wonderful. But I didn’t experience any of the ghosts!
William – you’re lucky, sounds like an wonderfully spooky place!
Would you like me to forward the photo that my daughter and grandson had taken at your Castle one evening while they were on vacation? It has a face in the picture that shouldn’t have been there! They didn’t see the photos until they got back to the USA. I have the photo and it is a must to see picture.
Yes please – send through to david at spookyisles.com
I look forward to seeing it 🙂 DS
My daughter and grandson spent a night in the Lumley Castle. They enjoyed the feast, was enthralled by the decor, and thought the service was absolutely top notch. Their names were Sheila and Ian Brody. They had a picture taken there after dinner, I looked at it and found something very unusual. The picture shows my daughter and grandson sitting down together, the odd thing is there is a face just behind my grandsons head just floating there. The face is jolly and smiling, but it is a bit odd. What do you think of that.?
I stayed here just a year ago and it’s incredible. Beautiful, fantastic rooms, wonderful staff, outstanding food. But the ghosts left me alone. I want to stay again soon
Hi,
Yes my wife and I stayed in the King James suite 31.08.19. Had a few raps and bumps, found a cologne bottle standing upside down next morning (staff prank?), nothing too bad. But, when looking through my iPhone pics next day found loads of square orbs in same repeating formations. Thought it was dirt on lens. But wife’s iPhone pics are very much the same. Glowing square orbs, when zoomed in, are made up of glowing vertical bars. Contacted Lumley who got all defensive saying no one has ever reported anything ever basically, staff or guests! Odd for a hotel priding itself on its haunted reputation. Annoyed at their reaction so posted here.
Steve
Thanks, Steve, great to hear a first-hand account of the spooky goings-on – makes me want to go there even more, even if the staff are a bit hesitant to admit it’s haunted!
My grandad was a security guard there before it was converted into a hotel. He talks of endless nights alone in a completely empty castle and the strange things he’s experienced. My favourite being, during the night he did his standard walk around the outside perimeter of the castle- to his surprise he noticed a flickering light emitted from a window on the wall of the castle (bearing in mind this was before there was any source of electricity) upon noticing the light he headed directly for that room, racing through the corridors to find the room completely empty, there wasn’t a single sign of life except for the faint smell of burning, somewhat similar to the smell of a candle being blown out. This is only one of the many stories
I’ve never been to England or to Lumley Castle, but sure would love to go there. As far as the story of Lily Lumley goes, there might be some truth to it.If Sir Ralph Lumley was married before Eleanor Neville, it might be the name Lily came about because she was a beautiful woman, and people couldn’t recall her first name. I don’t think Lily was a common name of the time period.Did Sir Ralph by the way have any sisters? If so maybe one of them could be the lady of the legend. During this era, there were the Lollards.How active they were in the area I don’t know, nor do I know if there were any monasteries close by. But it’s possible this lady converted to the Lollard beliefs. Somehow word got to these monks who tried to convert her.When she refused, she was thrown in a well. This story too could have also come from France.There was a noble lady in France who was a Cathar . When the Crusaders came to either kill or convert them, she refused to give up her beliefs, and got thrown down a well. I can’t recall her name nor the town in France right now,but this woman was a real historical person. Maybe when all this Coivd-19 is finally over, or mostly stopped, I can take a vacation and stay at this lovely castle.
Stopped at lumley for my daughters wedding at room number 62 both my wife and myself and my young daughter tried to turn the lights off.they would not turn off my other daughter came to the room at approximately 8.30 my wife explained to that they would not turn off then tried the switch and it worked. On checking out told reception staff who said did I have to many no need to tell big stories me my wife and daughter all tried next day they worked strange but true lights were on all night
Stopped at lumley for my daughters wedding at room number 62 both my wife and myself and my young daughter tried to turn the lights off.they would not turn off my other daughter came to the room at approximately 8.30 my wife explained to that they would not turn off then tried the switch and it worked. On checking out told reception staff who said did I have to many no need to tell big stories me my wife and daughter all tried next day they worked strange but true lights were on all night spooky
In 1970.71 I was a security guard at lumley castle , I worked mon to thurs 7 to7 nights sat &sun day shift . Too much occurred to say here,from footsteps to incidents with my dog. Alone in the castle clocking security keys .15 of them . On reflection as an older person it was frightening. Never forgotten….
I think I should write a more detailed account of patrolling the castle alone. With a Tilley lamp & a back up torch. Despite the incidents the castle took a hold of you, You wanted to go back on duty and did not want any other site, I stayed. It really got to you!!!
I stayed here with my husband for our wedding anniversary a number of years ago. In the King James Suite. Beautiful room, but felt slightly on edge in the evening. After our meal we retired to the four poster bed to watch some TV. My husband went to the bathroom, and what I can only describe as an orb, floated in front of my face and up towards the canopy on the bed. It looked like a small bubble that you might find after squeezing the dish soap.
Sounds amazing, how did you feel when it was happening? Did you feel it was paranormal at the time?