The Bull Hotel Hotel
34 East Street, Bridport, DT6 3LF
Boutique hotel (historic coaching inn)
The Bull Hotel's reputation as one of Dorset's most haunted establishments stems from tragic events spanning centuries, with multiple spirits said to inhabit its historic walls. The most documented apparition is that of Wadham Strangeways, the gentleman accidentally killed during the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685 whilst defending the inn from an upper window. His presence is most strongly felt in the room where he died, which was subsequently sealed up, though witnesses report seeing his figure still standing vigil at the window where he met his fate. The second major haunting involves the mysterious sounds of a child, heard most frequently in the ladies' toilets on the first floor, where staff and guests report hearing faint cries and whimpering that investigation never reveals a source for. This phenomenon has been consistently reported for decades, with the ethereal sounds often accompanied by sudden temperature drops and an overwhelming sense of sadness that permeates the area. The third regularly encountered spirit is a middle-aged lady dressed in tweed, who has been observed sitting quietly in the reception area, occasionally appearing to converse with an invisible companion. Witnesses describe her as appearing completely solid and real until she suddenly vanishes, often mid-conversation, leaving observers questioning their own senses. The hotel's troubled history extends beyond these primary spirits, with staff reporting unexplained footsteps in empty corridors, doors that open and close of their own accord, and the persistent feeling of being watched throughout the building.
Spirits: Wadham Strangeways, The Lonely Child...