The Two Upper Floor Ladies

Among the most benevolent and comforting presences at The Golden Lion Hotel are the two female spirits who have made the upper floors their eternal domain. Unlike the solitary figure of the spectral fisherman, these ladies appear to work in harmony, moving through the Georgian corridors with a sense of purpose and care that has brought comfort rather than fear to countless guests over the generations.

The Caring Guardians

These two spirits manifest as elegant figures in period dress, typically described as wearing flowing gowns that suggest they lived during the Georgian or Victorian eras when The Golden Lion was at the height of its prominence as a coaching inn. Witnesses consistently report that rather than appearing threatening or disturbing, these ladies emanate a profound sense of warmth and protection, as though they continue to fulfil the duties of hospitality that defined their mortal lives.

Historical Context and Possible Identity

During the 18th and 19th centuries, when The Golden Lion served as a vital coaching inn on the route to Weymouth’s bustling harbour, the establishment would have been managed by families who lived on the premises and dedicated their lives to providing comfort and safety to travellers. The innkeeper’s wife and her female staff were responsible for the welfare of guests, ensuring their rooms were comfortable, their needs attended to, and their safety maintained during what could be dangerous times for travellers.

The two upper floor ladies may well represent former innkeepers’ wives or senior female staff members whose dedication to their guests was so profound that it transcended death itself. Their presence suggests women who took their responsibilities seriously, who perhaps worried about the welfare of those in their care, and who found their greatest satisfaction in ensuring that every visitor felt welcomed and protected within the inn’s walls.

Manifestations and Encounters

Guests staying in the hotel’s period rooms have reported awakening to the gentle sound of footsteps in the corridors - not the heavy, threatening footfalls that characterise many haunted locations, but the soft, measured steps of women moving with quiet efficiency about their duties. These sounds are often followed by brief glimpses of two figures in flowing period dress, seen peripherally as they move through the building’s upper levels.

The most remarkable aspect of these encounters is the emotional response they provoke in witnesses. Rather than the fear or unease typically associated with ghost sightings, guests consistently report feeling comforted and cared for. Some have described the sensation of being gently checked upon during the night, as though invisible hands were ensuring their blankets were properly arranged or their comfort maintained.

Staff members have noted that rooms where the ladies have been sighted often seem to require less attention than others - as though someone has already ensured everything is in perfect order. Housekeeping staff occasionally report finding rooms that appear to have been tidied or straightened beyond what would be expected, with an attention to detail that speaks of genuine care for guest comfort.

The Nature of Their Presence

Unlike residual hauntings that simply replay past events, the two upper floor ladies appear to demonstrate intelligence and awareness of the living world around them. Their activities seem to respond to the needs of current guests rather than merely echoing past behaviours. This suggests they may be what paranormal researchers term “guardian spirits” - entities who have chosen to remain in a location to continue providing protection and care to those who need it.

The ladies’ apparent ability to work together, moving in coordination through the building, suggests they may have been companions in life - perhaps a mother and daughter team, sisters, or close friends who worked together to manage the inn’s hospitality services. Their continued partnership in death speaks to a bond that was strong enough to transcend the grave and maintain their shared commitment to the welfare of others.

Guest Testimonials and Documented Encounters

Over the decades, The Golden Lion has collected numerous guest testimonials describing encounters with the two ladies. A recurring theme in these accounts is the profound sense of being watched over and protected. Business travellers staying alone have reported feeling less isolated than expected, as though caring presences were ensuring their wellbeing throughout the night.

Families with young children have noted that their little ones often sleep more peacefully at The Golden Lion than elsewhere, sometimes speaking of “nice ladies” who visited them during the night. These innocent observations, untainted by adult expectations or fears, provide some of the most compelling evidence for the benevolent nature of these spirits.

A Legacy of Hospitality

The two upper floor ladies represent the finest traditions of English hospitality - the dedication to guest welfare that transformed simple inns into places of genuine comfort and security. Their continued presence at The Golden Lion ensures that this tradition lives on, that the values of care and protection that defined the establishment’s golden age continue to welcome and comfort modern visitors.

In an age when travel has become increasingly impersonal and automated, the presence of these caring spirits offers something profoundly human - the assurance that someone, somewhere, is watching over travellers with the same dedication and warmth that has characterised The Golden Lion for over three centuries. They serve as a bridge between past and present, ensuring that the spirit of true hospitality that built this establishment’s reputation continues to grace its halls for generations to come.