The Phantom Black Dog
Warner Hotels - Littlecote House
Berkshire
Unknown
A large black dog that appears solid sitting on the Jerusalem Staircase at Littlecote House, but hands pass straight through it when touched.
Understanding This Spirit Type
Animal Spirit
The ghost of a deceased animal, such as a cat, dog, or horse.
What is an Animal Spirit?
Animal spirits are the ghosts of deceased animals. Sightings or experiences can include visual apparitions of pets or other animals, unexplained animal sounds (barks, meows, purring, hooves), the sensation of an animal brushing against someone's legs, or even the feeling of an animal jumping onto a bed. These hauntings are often associated with beloved pets that had a strong bond with a person or place, or animals that experienced a traumatic end at the location.
Documented Animal Spirit Spirits (4)
Spectral Cat
The Blue Boar Hotel
Essex
Medieval to Present
A black spectral cat has been consistently reported at the Blue Boar Hotel for decades, darting through corridors and brushing against guests' legs before vanishing. This phantom feline is one of Maldon's most documented paranormal entities.
The Black Dog of Leeds
Leeds Castle Stable Courtyard Bed & Breakfast
Kent
Medieval (Associated with 15th Century)
A spectral black Labrador-like dog with curly fur, the Black Dog of Leeds is a famous omen. Its appearance is said to herald misfortune or death, a legend tied to Eleanor of Gloucester's imprisonment for witchcraft. Though rarely seen, its legend is a cornerstone of the castle's haunting.
Phantom Black Dog
Royal Victoria & Bull Hotel
Kent
Victorian (c. 1800s-1900s, possibly earlier coaching inn period)
A benevolent ghostly black dog, Labrador-sized, roams the ancient inn's corridors. Unlike the fearsome black dogs of British folklore, this friendly spirit nudges guests affectionately, brushes past their legs, and settles warmly on their beds. Likely the echo of a beloved coaching inn dog from the hotel's bustling past.