Littlecote House Hotel in Berkshire is the third most haunted building in Great Britain, says RICK HALE
Littlecote House Hotel
Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 0SU
If you are looking for an English country hotel that looks like it should be haunted, look no further than the Grade I listed, Littlecote House Hotel.
A large Elizabethan country mansion in the Royal county of Berkshire, it is a building with a long history of being haunted.
So much so, that it’s considered to the third most haunted building in England.
History of Littlecote House Hotel
The original house was built in the 13th century by the de Calstone family, who occupied the house until the 15th century.
De Calstone’s time in the mansion came to an end in 1415, when William Darrell married Elizabeth de Calstone, inheriting the sprawling house.
It was the Darrell family who pulled down the original structure in the 16th century and built the Tudor building that Littlecote is today.
A Gruesome Scandal
As with many old manor houses, Littlecote House is not without scandal. And a gruesome scandal at that.
William Darrell’s father was a man with a bad reputation. He had serious financial problems, even spending time in a debtor’s prison.
However, no crime committed by this man compared to him murdering a newborn infant by throwing the child into a fire.
An unspeakable act that brought shame upon the family.
With the onset of world war II, the United States 101st Airborne Division used the house as a home for high ranking officers.
Even then there were rumours that the house was haunted. And those rumours were confirmed when Littlecote House was turned into a hotel in 1996.
Darrell’s Stile
The murder committed by William Darrell’s father is connected to the longest lasting legend of the luxury hotel.
While hunting, the ghost of the baby Darrell killed appeared to him in 1589.
When the apparition appeared, Darrell’s horse was spooked and threw the man from the saddle killing him instantly.
His spirit has been seen standing on the spot where he was finally brought to justice.
The Black Dog
In English folklore phantom black dogs are typically regarded as a bar omen. Except in the case of the black dog of Littlecote House.
The ghost of a black Labrador has been seen sitting on the Jerusalem staircase.
Several guests have reported attempting to pet the dog only to discover their hand passing through it. They then realize they have seen a ghost.
Mother Barnes
Mother Barnes, is believed to have been the midwife who delivered the murdered child in the 16th century.
Mother Barnes has been seen throughout the hotel but is usually seen in the room where she delivered the doomed child.
During a seance, Mother Barnes, appeared sitting in a chair rocking a crying infant while sinister dark forms moved about the room.
It’s believed this frightening scene was the final moments before the infant’s death.
Why stay at Littlecote House Hotel?
Littlecote House Hotel, Berkshire is a luxury 4 star hotel that is known for its comfortable rooms and friendly service.
You can enjoy a meal and drinks at the hotel’s restaurant, Oliver’s Bistro, named after Oliver Cromwell.
All rooms are en-suite and offers all the amenities of a modern luxury hotel.
The hotel is located near some of Great Britain’s most notable tourist attractions.
If you have an interest in ancient history, you can walk among the standing stones of the megalithic Stonehenge.
Or you can visit the historic city of Bath or get close to British royalty by paying a visit to Windsor Castle.
Littlecote House Hotel is the perfect place to stay for both the history of Berkshire, and of course, its ghosts.
Have you been to Littlecote House Hotel? Tell us about it in the comments section below!
Right. My wife and I stayed at Littlecote House Hotel Friday 11/12/202 – 14/12/2020.
We stayed in the Queen Elizabeth Suite, located on the first Floor in the Old House – on the same floor of the room where Mother Barnes (midwife) was taken blindfolded to deliver the baby of the masked lady in the bed.
Not having muchninfo on what had occurred in that building, having arrived Friday afternoon, we relaxed and watched the local entertainment teammin the main building before returning back to the Old House.
The huge bedroom basically backs onto the passage that leads to the bedroom where the birth andvthen murder of the baby took place.
I usually get up between 01:00 and 03:00 every morning to use the toilet. Half asleep I walked in the dark and then suddenly, in the middle of the room I experienced a head to toe ice cold feeling which caused me to have goosebumps and hair stand on end. With a quick shudder I continued walking out the bedroom across the sitting room and into the bath / shower and toilet room.
Once finished, and with no problems I returned using the same route, all in the dark. I pushed the bedroom door open, stepped in and closed the door behind me. I walked slowly down three steps into the bedroom area and as I reached the same area inbthe bedroom, I again experienced the feeling of artic cold enveloping me head to toe and my body hairs stand on end and goose bumps top to bottom.
Got into bed and slept. I checked the room out for draughts or areas that might have a gap which would allow such a freezing feeling to occur – there were no issues found in the bedroom, and all I can say is: “Strange, very strange!!”.
That day we obtained and read up on the Old House and its ghosts. I never saw anything, but that feeling is something I have never experienced previously.
Just a coincidence? An old house with strange chills? Who knows.