Pangbourne, Berkshire
The George Hotel is primarily haunted by the legendary spirit of Betty Price, a figure from early 17th-century folklore. According to local legend, Betty sought refuge in the inn's cellars whilst fleeing witch persecution during the early 1600s. She drowned during flooding whilst hiding in the waterlogged cellars. Before her death, she allegedly cursed the innkeeper and all who had betrayed her location to the authorities. Her vengeful spirit is said to roam the hotel corridors, seeking revenge against those who wronged her. While Betty Price herself cannot be historically verified, the legend incorporates authentic elements of witch persecution patterns and the inn's documented flood-prone location at the Thames confluence.
Betty Price (vengeful witch spirit) and possibly other unidentified spirits
Betty Price's spirit is described as a vengeful presence manifesting throughout the hotel. Guests and staff report seeing a shadowy female figure in waterlogged period dress moving through corridors, particularly near the cellar entrance. Her appearances are accompanied by sudden temperature drops and oppressive malevolent atmospheres. Witnesses describe the sensation of cold, wet hands grasping at them, believed to be Betty's waterlogged spirit making contact. The most chilling encounters occur near the cellar, where people report hearing desperate splashing, muffled cries, and scratching sounds, as if Betty is still trying to escape her watery death. Staff have reported feeling watched when alone, and some guests have found wet footprints appearing on dry floors with no explanation. The legend states her curse continues to affect the establishment with unexplained mechanical failures and general misfortune.
Betty Price is the legendary witch spirit said to haunt The George Hotel. According to local folklore, she died whilst hiding in the inn's flooded cellars during the early 17th century witch persecution period, cursing those who betrayed her location before drowning in the rising Thames waters.
12th century origins (dating back to 1293 as documented inn)
Coaching inn and tavern on the main route between London and the west country
One of Berkshire's oldest inns, The George has served travellers continuously for over 700 years since its documented establishment in 1293. Located at the strategic confluence of the River Pang and Thames, the inn occupies a site of continuous hospitality in a village with Saxon origins dating to 844 AD, when Pangbourne was recorded as 'Paegingaburnam' meaning 'streams of sons of Paega.' The building was remodelled and renamed The George Inn in the 16th century during England's golden age of coaching travel, becoming one of the busiest coaching inns on the London to West Country route. Its strategic location made it essential for merchants, officials, and travellers, with courtyards regularly filled with coaches and horses. The proximity to the Thames provided commercial advantages but created the regular cellar flooding that became central to its supernatural reputation. The inn's literary heritage connects to Jerome K. Jerome's 'Three Men in a Boat,' whose protagonists ended their river journey at the nearby Swan Hotel, and Kenneth Grahame, who lived in Pangbourne from 1924-1932. The modern hotel incorporates 'Wind in the Willows' themes into its décor, reflecting this literary connection. The George gained supernatural notoriety through the Betty Price legend from the early 17th century witch persecution period. While Betty Price herself remains unverified folklore, her story reflects authentic historical patterns of witch persecution and the inn's documented flood-prone location. The building represents nearly eight centuries of English hospitality history, from medieval river crossing to modern literary-themed hotel.
Traditional English coaching inn architecture with Tudor and Georgian elements. The building features exposed timber beams, low ceilings, and original stone construction typical of medieval hostelries, with later additions reflecting its continuous use through the centuries.
Paranormal activity includes sudden temperature drops throughout the building, particularly near cellar areas and in guest rooms directly above. Staff and visitors report oppressive, malevolent presences, especially during nighttime hours. Electrical equipment malfunctions without explanation, doors slam shut on their own, and objects are found moved from original positions. Guests report disturbing dreams and feelings of being watched whilst sleeping. The sound of dripping water is heard even when no plumbing issues exist, and the smell of stagnant water sometimes permeates rooms with no apparent source. Cold spots appear randomly throughout the building, with some guests reporting bedcovers being tugged or feeling the weight of someone sitting on their bed during the night. Maintenance workers have reported tools going missing and being found in impossible locations.
The cellars and basement areas are considered the epicentre of Betty Price's haunting, as this is where she allegedly drowned. The main corridors, particularly those leading to cellar areas, experience frequent supernatural activity. Guest rooms directly above the cellar show heightened paranormal activity, with Room 7 being particularly active. The main staircase and landing areas are common sites for sightings and cold spots. The dining area, which incorporates part of the original inn structure, experiences unexplained phenomena, especially during evening hours. The hotel's original 17th-century sections show the most consistent paranormal activity.
Multiple sources report encounters with a wet, grimy woman wandering the hotel halls. Guests have called reception reporting mournful cries of a woman outside their rooms, whilst others report loud knocking on doors in the middle of the night, only to find empty hallways when they investigate. A guest in 2019 reported waking to find wet footprints leading from bathroom to bed, despite the bathroom being dry. Staff members have quit after experiencing repeated supernatural encounters, particularly night workers. Local residents acknowledge the haunting as common knowledge. Multiple guests have independently reported similar dreams of a woman in old-fashioned dress, and both staff and guests report feeling watched when alone in the building.
The George Hotel is recognised as Berkshire's most haunted location and features regularly on regional ghost tours and paranormal investigations. The hotel attracts ghost tourism due to its reputation, with the Betty Price legend serving as the central focus of paranormal interest. Local historians have documented the legend as part of Pangbourne's folklore. While specific documented investigations remain limited, the location's haunted reputation makes it popular with paranormal enthusiasts and amateur ghost hunters who report various phenomena in the cellar areas.
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📅 Sample dates:2025-08-30 to 2025-09-01 • 2 adults
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Paranormal Tip: Book rooms near the cellars and basement areas are considered the epicentre of betty price's haunting for the best chance of supernatural encounters!
Address:
The Square, Pangbourne, Reading, Berkshire RG8 7AJ
Phone: +44 1189 842237
Status: Operating (restaurant and hotel)
Offers wedding services and can host events like birthdays, board meetings, conferences, and christenings. Room upgrades available including luxury spa robes, toiletries, flowers, champagne, and chocolate. The hotel features Dulce Domum restaurant with global cuisine and The Village Bar for pub-style dining.
Accessible parking available. As a historic building with period features, guests with specific accessibility needs should contact the hotel directly to discuss requirements.
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