Betty Radcliffe: The Landlady Who Never Left

The Bell Hotel’s most beloved ghost is that of Betty Radcliffe, a landlady who managed the inn during the height of its success as a coaching house in the 18th century. Historical records from Thetford show that the Bell Hotel served as a principal stopping point on the crucial London to Norwich mail coach route. Betty Radcliffe served as landlady during the 18th century, but her life ended tragically in 1750 when she was killed by her lover following a heated argument.

Historical Background

During the 18th century, the Bell Hotel was at the peak of its importance as a coaching inn. The timber-framed building, first documented as an inn in 1493, had by Betty’s time evolved into a sophisticated establishment catering to the constant stream of travellers, merchants, and mail coaches that passed through Thetford on the vital London-Norwich route. As landlady, Betty would have been responsible for overseeing every aspect of guest care - from ensuring rooms were properly prepared and meals served promptly, to providing comfort to weary travellers and tending to those who fell ill during their journeys.

The role of an 18th-century landlady was far more than merely administrative; she served as hostess, nurse, confidante, and protector to all who stayed under her roof. Contemporary accounts from similar coaching inns describe landladies as the heart of the establishment, personally ensuring each guest felt welcomed and cared for. Betty appears to have excelled in this role, earning such devotion to the Bell Hotel that her spirit has never left.

The Tragic End and Supernatural Beginning

Betty Radcliffe met her tragic end in 1750, killed by her lover in what local records suggest followed a heated argument. Some accounts describe how she was either pushed from a window or jumped to her death, with her lifeless body discovered in the courtyard below. This violent and sudden end appears to have created the spiritual attachment that keeps Betty bound to the Bell Hotel, where she continues her earthly duties as a caring landlady.

The tragedy of her death seems to have intensified Betty’s maternal instincts, as her spirit demonstrates an almost protective obsession with the wellbeing of hotel guests. This transformation from living landlady to protective spirit reflects a common pattern in supernatural manifestations where traumatic death creates an overwhelming need to complete unfinished business.

Room 29: The Heart of Activity

The main focus of Betty’s haunting centres on Room 29, which has been renumbered several times throughout the hotel’s history. Previously numbered as Room 10 and before that Room 12, this chamber appears to hold particular significance in Betty’s supernatural presence. Guests staying in Room 29 have reported some of the most intense encounters with the hotel’s resident spirit.

One particularly well-documented case involved a guest on his honeymoon who experienced a progressive series of supernatural encounters over several consecutive nights. Initially, he noticed an inexplicable cold spot just outside his room, accompanied by the sensation that someone was pushing against the door as he tried to open it. This resistance seemed almost protective, as though Betty was attempting to shield him from something within.

As the nights progressed, the manifestations intensified. Footsteps could be heard pacing up and down the corridor outside Room 29, before apparently entering the room itself despite the door remaining locked. The guest reported seeing a young female figure on two consecutive nights - described as appearing solid and real rather than translucent or spectral.

The most dramatic encounters occurred during the final nights of his stay. The guest witnessed the wardrobe handle moving of its own accord, creating a distinct rapping sound that seemed to follow a deliberate pattern. Soon afterwards, the television began flickering, and he observed the aerial lead moving in what he described as a “whipping fashion,” as though being manipulated by invisible hands.

The climax of these encounters came when the guest awoke to find the ghostly figure sitting on his bed, looking directly at him. He described watching as the figure rose, causing the mattress to lift and adjust as though bearing physical weight. Maintaining eye contact throughout, the apparition walked away and vanished, leaving the witness with an overwhelming sense that he had been assessed and deemed worthy of protection.

The Young Girl’s Description

The guest’s detailed description of the supernatural figure has become one of the most compelling pieces of evidence for Betty’s continued presence at the Bell Hotel. He described seeing a young girl, approximately 12-13 years old, with fair hair and wearing a long white gown adorned with puffed sleeves. Around her neck, she wore what appeared to be a garland, and her entire form seemed to possess an almost self-illuminating quality that distinguished her from the surrounding darkness.

When the hotel manager showed the guest a portrait, he immediately identified the upper portion of the face as matching “his” ghost, though the painting depicted someone older - the landlady Betty Radcliffe herself. Historical records from Norfolk pubs database indicate that Betty Radcliffe was listed as the landlady from 1775, with the inn passing to Alexander Radcliffe from 1785-1792 before Elizabeth Radcliffe took over from 1792-1824. This visual confirmation suggests that Betty may appear in different forms to different witnesses, perhaps manifesting as she was in life or as she perceives herself in death.

The Manifestations Throughout the Hotel

Betty’s presence extends far beyond Room 29, manifesting throughout the Bell Hotel in ways that reflect her caring nature in life. The most commonly reported phenomenon is the sudden appearance of perfume - described by witnesses as distinctly feminine and reminiscent of 18th-century toiletries. These scents appear most frequently in guest bedrooms and the main reception areas where Betty would have greeted arriving travellers during her lifetime.

Guests and staff frequently report glimpsing a woman in period dress moving through the hotel’s corridors, particularly in the original timber-framed sections where the building’s medieval and Tudor origins remain most evident. Unlike many ghostly apparitions that instill fear, sightings of Betty are consistently described as comforting and protective. Witnesses often note her apparent concern for the wellbeing of others - she has been seen checking on ill guests, and her presence is most strongly felt when people are experiencing distress or difficulty.

Hotel staff have grown accustomed to Betty’s protective interventions. Housekeeping staff report instances where they jokingly asked “Betty” if she had been good and allowed guests to sleep peacefully. On one notable occasion, such a question was followed by an immediate drop in room temperature that caused the staff members to flee, suggesting that Betty takes her protective duties very seriously and may not appreciate light-hearted comments about her activities.

Additional Supernatural Activity

Beyond Room 29, other areas of the hotel have witnessed Betty’s presence and that of other spirits. In what were formerly known as Rooms 6 and 8 (though the room numbering system has likely changed since the mid-1990s), staff members have reported encountering a white haze that floated past them before disappearing into the wall. This manifestation suggests that Betty’s presence may extend beyond physical boundaries, able to move through the hotel’s structure in ways that defy conventional understanding.

The hotel’s supernatural activity extends to auditory phenomena as well. Children have been heard playing in empty rooms, their laughter and voices echoing through spaces that should be silent. These same rooms have also been the source of crying sounds, suggesting that the spiritual presence of young souls may be connected to Betty’s protective maternal instincts. The sound of keys rattling in locks without any physical cause has been reported throughout the building, as though Betty continues her rounds as landlady, checking on rooms and ensuring all is secure.

One of the most touching aspects of Betty’s haunting is her apparent continuation of her caring duties. Guests have reported finding their doors mysteriously unlocked when they’ve struggled with old keys, experiencing unexpected warmth in cold rooms during winter months, and feeling gentle touches on the shoulder during moments of sadness or stress. Hotel staff have long grown accustomed to her presence, often crediting her with alerting them to guest needs or problems.

The Drawing Room Encounters

The ground floor drawing room has become particularly associated with Betty’s manifestations. This space, which would have served as the main social area for guests during the coaching inn era, remains a focal point for supernatural activity. Visitors and staff regularly report catching glimpses of Elizabeth Radcliffe in this room, often described as a fleeting figure in period dress who seems to be checking on the comfort and wellbeing of those present.

The drawing room sightings are typically characterised by their benevolent nature. Witnesses describe feeling watched over rather than threatened, as though Betty’s spirit continues to fulfill her role as hostess even in death. The scent of period perfume is often particularly strong in this area, and temperature fluctuations have been documented that correspond with reported sightings.

Documented Encounters

The Bell Hotel’s paranormal activity has been documented for over a century, with Betty’s presence featuring prominently in accounts dating back to the early 1900s. Guests have consistently reported encounters with a caring female spirit, and many specifically describe seeing a woman in period dress who seems concerned with their wellbeing.

During the 1970s and 1980s, as paranormal investigation became more systematic, several teams documented extensive activity at the Bell Hotel. Thermal imaging has captured unexplained temperature fluctuations in areas where Betty is most commonly encountered, and electromagnetic field detectors have recorded anomalous readings in rooms where guests report her perfume.

Modern guests continue to report encounters with Betty, often sharing their experiences with hotel staff who have grown accustomed to such tales. Many guests specifically request to stay in the most haunted rooms, hoping for their own encounter with the caring landlady. Unlike many ghostly experiences that leave witnesses frightened, encounters with Betty consistently leave people feeling comforted and protected.

The Legacy of Care

What makes Betty Radcliffe’s haunting particularly remarkable is how perfectly it reflects the Bell Hotel’s historical character and her own dedication to hospitality. The inn’s reputation for exceptional guest care, established during the coaching era, continues today, and many staff and regular guests feel that Betty’s protective presence contributes to the hotel’s enduring atmosphere of warmth and welcome.

Her spirit seems particularly attuned to guests who are struggling - whether with illness, distress, or simply the challenges of travel. This mirrors the historical role of coaching inn landladies, who often served as temporary mothers to travellers far from home. Betty’s manifestations suggest that even in death, she continues to fulfill this caring role, watching over the Bell Hotel and all who stay within its ancient walls.

The Bell Hotel stands as a testament to over 500 years of continuous hospitality, and Betty Radcliffe represents the very best of that tradition - a woman so devoted to caring for others that not even death could part her from her calling.