RICK HALE takes us to Ruthin Castle Hotel where the ghost of a crazed axe murderer stalks
Ruthin Castle Hotel
Castle Street, Ruthin LL15 2NU
The town of Ruthin, in the picturesque Northern Wales’ countryside, is a town believed to be populated by more of the dead than the living
Several buildings and homes in this ancient town are considered to be some of the most haunted in the country.
Including Ruthin Castle, a hotel that is reputed to be haunted by a ghost that committed a desperate crime of passion.
History Of Ruthin Castle Hotel
Ruthin Castle was built by King Edward I in the 13th century, on a site that was once occupied by an iron age fort.
In 1277 CE, he gave the castle to Llewellyn ap Gryudd. A decision he would soon regret.
Llewellyn’s allegiance changed in 1282, and was considered a traitor to the crown of England.
Llewellyn was ousted and as a reward for building him the world’s greatest Army, King Edward gave the castle and lands to Sir Reginald de Grey.
The ensuing years had not been kind to Ruthin Castle and it fell into disrepair.
In 1826, the Cornwallis-West family bought the castle and replaced it with the structure we know today.
The castle was used as a hospital for people suffering from rare diseases from 1923 to 1960, when it was converted into a luxury hotel.
That was when the reports of hauntings began to come to light.
The Lady Grey
Perhaps the most active spirit in the castle is that of Lady Grey. A woman who committed a murderous crime of passion.
According to historical records, Lady Grey discovered that her husband had been carrying on a secret affair with a local peasant girl.
When she caught the two in the act, she grabbed an axe and hacked her husband’s lover to death.
When Lady Grey was apprehended, she was said to have gone completely mad. She was tried for murder and executed. But death has not ended her madness.
The apparition of a crazed woman has been encountered by both guests and staff in the corridors of the hotel.
Her favourite places to wander is the banquet hall and the battlements where she is seen wielding a sharpened axe.
And on the night when she ruthlessly murdered the peasant girl, Lady Grey has been witnessed carrying out her vengeance.
The One Gloved Ghost
The figure of a spectral soldier curiously wearing one glove has been spotted walking around the castle.
It’s believed this one gloved man was a soldier in service to King Edward and died as a result of defending the castle.
According to eyewitnesses he never interacts with people and appears to be clueless of his surroundings.
The Little Girl
The apparition of a mischievous little girl has been seen running up and down the halls in the middle of the night.
She has been known to knock on room doors awakening people as they sleep.
When they open the door to see who’s bothering them they watch as the little girl turns a corner with a giggle and vanishes from view.
What The Hotel Offers
Ruthin Castle is a hotel that prides itself on its hospitality, as well as it’s luxuriousness.
All rooms are en-suite and tastefully decorated with all the amenities of a modern hotel.
Bertie’s, the hotel’s restaurant, has a menu offering local dishes sure to please the taste buds of even the most discerning diner.
The hotel also offers a medieval banquet. Guests will be given a tour of the castle and can enjoy a feast while being entertained.
Ruthin Castle Hotel is ideally located in the beautiful Welsh countryside where you can explore the landscape.
And if you’re willing to make the drive, you can visit the Italian/Welsh town of Portmeiron.
Discover other hauntings in Wales here.
If you have ever stayed at Ruthin Castle Hotel, and had an experience, we invite you to tell us about it in the comment section.
My husband and I stayed in Ruthin Castle in Sept of 1990. It was owned and operated by Best Western Hotels. He booked the hotel and Medieval Feast as a surprise for me on our anniversary. We went to the Feast and asked we walked in the maidens were standing at the entry way each holding a bowl of salt and bread. They asked us to take a piece of the bread and dip it in the salt and then eat it, as it would keep the evil spirits away. I laughed and said no thanks but my husband ate it, we then proceeded into the banquet room and had a delightful dinner and watched the show. After dinner they directed us into the tavern for a nightcap. So mostly everyone went and and we each ordered a drink. We no more than received our drink and took one sip when I looked around and no one was there!!! Not even the bartender and the bar had been cleared off. They had told us the tavern was near the stables and the long hallway which had windows on one side and was leading into the tavern is where the Grey Lady’ grave was. I started to feel very uneasy and said we should get back into the main area as it was kind of creepy that everyone had been there one minute and then were gone. As we started down the hallway I stopped and looked out the window saying to my husband that the Grey Lady was buried out there somewhere as it was very dark and you couldn’t see. He didn’t answer so I looked up and he was just going through the big very very heavy castle door and as he was the door started closing. I yelled to him and he tried to keep the door open but was having a very hard time so I ran as fast as I could and just got through. My husband is not a believer in spiritual happenings but he was also truly shaken by these events. We went back into the hotel area and went straight to our room. He checken the wardrobe and under the bed as it was all so creepy. I will never forget what happened at that hotel and it was very exciting as well as being very very scary.