Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
The Haycock Manor Hotel is renowned as one of England's most haunted coaching inns, with multiple spirits from different historical periods. Most famous is Mary, Queen of Scots, who allegedly spent her final night here before execution. Shadow figures roam the corridors, whilst a Civil War-era Royalist officer and a mysterious gardener complete the hotel's spectral residents.
Mary, Queen of Scots (Residual Haunting), Unidentified Shadow Figures (Intelligent Haunting), Richard Braithwaite (17th Century Royalist), The Gardener with Trug (Unknown Era)
The executed 16th-century Scottish queen, Mary Stuart, who spent her final night at the Haycock in February 1587.
The spirit of Richard Brathwaite, 17th-century poet, author of Barnaby's Travels, and Civil War Royalist officer, lingers in the ancient corridors where he once sought refuge.
One or more ghosts of unknown identity appearing as dark, human-shaped shadows in various parts of the hotel.
An elderly man carrying a gardening trug continues his eternal rounds through the Haycock's walled garden, tending plants that exist only in spectral memory.
16th century (est. circa 1580s)
Coaching inn on the Great North Road
A famous stopover on the London–York route; Mary, Queen of Scots spent her final night of liberty here in 1587 en route to Fotheringhay Castle for execution. The inn’s name comes from a local legend of a man who floated downriver on a haycock (haystack) – hence Wansford-in-England.
Tudor-era coaching inn, now a luxury country hotel (Grade II listed)
Royal apparitions, shadow figures, period-dressed men, garden phantoms, disembodied voices, footsteps, bed disturbances, temperature drops, scent of lavender, and overwhelming sensations of melancholy characterise the hotel's paranormal activity.
Original 16th-century wing rooms and corridors, particularly the suite associated with Mary's stay. Main staircase for shadow figures around 3 AM. Walled garden area for the gardener phantom. Bar area after closing time. Historic chambers with original Tudor features.
Guests report Mary's figure at bedroom windows gazing toward Fotheringhay, shadow figures standing motionless at bed-ends before dawn, a man in Civil War era clothing in the oldest corridors, and an elderly gardener visible through garden windows. Staff describe discovering mysteriously lit candles in locked rooms and feeling watched during night duties. Multiple witnesses describe bedclothes being tugged gently but persistently by invisible hands.
Featured by Haunted Rooms® for paranormal investigations. Reports intensified dramatically after the 2021 restoration, suggesting renovation work disturbed dormant spiritual energy. Regional ghost tour companies highlight the Haycock as a premier haunted destination. Informal investigations have recorded electromagnetic anomalies, EVP phenomena, and significant temperature drops in active areas. The hotel's reputation extends beyond Mary Queen of Scots to encompass multiple historical periods of paranormal activity.
📅 Sample dates:2025-08-08 to 2025-08-10 • 2 adults
Dates and guest count can be changed on booking sites
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Paranormal Tip: Book rooms near original 16th-century wing rooms and corridors for the best chance of supernatural encounters!
Address:
London Road, Wansford, Cambridgeshire, PE8 6JA, UK
Phone: +44 1780 782223
Status: Open (recently restored)
Luxury stay packages, dining packages. No specific paranormal packages advertised, but its haunted reputation is a feature.
Wheelchair friendly. Specific accessibility of rooms and areas should be confirmed directly.
Help others discover this haunted hotel
Book your stay and experience Mary, Queen of Scots and the other spirits firsthand. Many guests report paranormal encounters during their visits.