👻

Val, The Lady in Black

Intelligent Haunting • Early 1900s

The spirit of an elderly former landlady, affectionately nicknamed 'Val', is often seen in her black attire, moving between the bar and reception. She is considered a kindly presence, believed to have died in the hotel in the early 1900s and continues to watch over it.

👻 Intelligent Haunting 📅 Early 1900s 🏰 The Rose And Crown Hotel Colchester

The Story

One of The Rose & Crown's most frequently encountered spirits is 'Val', believed to be the ghost of a kindly woman who managed the bar in the early 1900s and passed away within the hotel. Described as a petite elderly woman, often dressed in Victorian-era black attire, Val is most commonly spotted around the bar and lobby areas. Staff and guests have reported seeing her shuffle past the bar towards the reception, sometimes vanishing mid-stride. Far from being a malevolent force, Val is considered a benign presence. Staff members have grown accustomed to her, with some even attributing moved glasses or gently closing doors to her, as if she is still tending to the inn. Her appearances are often brief but leave a lasting impression of a gentle guardian.

Historical Evidence

📜

Numerous anecdotal accounts support Val's existence. The Events Manager, Sue, and a colleague at reception both witnessed Val vanishing. A housekeeper was quoted as saying, 'Oh yes, I see her all the time.' A guest from London also detailed in the hotel's guestbook waking to see a kindly old woman in black by their bed, who smiled before fading away; this description matched that of Val. These consistent reports from different individuals over time lend credibility to her presence.

Where to Encounter This Spirit

🔥 Most Active Areas

Bar area
Lobby
Reception area
Near the old pantry

👁️ Common Sightings

Petite elderly woman in Victorian-era black dress
Figure shuffling from bar to reception and vanishing
Glasses moving slightly or doors closing gently
Benign presence felt by staff
Faint feminine humming late at night near the old pantry

Paranormal Investigations

🔍

The Rose & Crown has been visited by many paranormal investigators, with the hotel acknowledging that 'almost every single one of them has managed to uncover evidence of supernatural activity'. While specific investigations focusing solely on Val are not detailed, her recurring sightings are a key part of the hotel's haunted reputation and are often recounted during paranormal tours and investigations at the property. The hotel was featured on the local TV series *Ghostly East* in 2019.