Haunted Hosts

Ettington Park stands on land that the Shirley family has occupied for over a thousand years, making it one of the longest continuously held family estates in England. The current structure incorporates elements from multiple periods: mid-17th century origins, mid-18th century additions, interior alterations completed in 1824, and a substantial Victorian Gothic remodelling between 1858 and 1862. This final transformation gave the building its distinctive character, with elaborate stonework, pointed arches, and ornate decorative features typical of the Gothic revival movement. The house received Grade I listed status on 5 April 1967, placing it among the most architecturally significant buildings in the country. Approximately 70 metres east of the hotel lie the ruins of Holy Trinity Church, also Grade I listed, which adds to the estate's historical weight. The 20th century brought dramatic changes. In 1935, the property was converted into a nursing home, marking the end of its role as a private residence. During World War II, it served as a prisoner of war camp, housing captured soldiers on its grounds. A devastating fire in 1979 caused significant damage, but restoration work followed, and in 1983 the building reopened as a luxury hotel under lease to the Isis Hotel Company. Hand Picked Hotels now manages the property. The hotel gained additional fame when it was used as a filming location for the 1963 horror film 'The Haunting', directed by Robert Wise. This cinematic connection cemented its reputation in popular culture as a place of supernatural atmosphere.