Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Best known for the ghost of Mary, Queen of Scots, among other restless spirits frequently reported since the hotel’s reopening.
Mary, Queen of Scots (Residual Haunting), Unidentified Shadow Figures (Intelligent Haunting)
The executed 16th-century Scottish queen, Mary Stuart, who spent her final night at the Haycock in February 1587.
One or more ghosts of unknown identity appearing as dark, human-shaped shadows in various parts of the hotel.
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)
Apparitions of a queenly woman, disembodied voices, ghostly footsteps, shadow figures, and poltergeist-like bed disturbances are all part of the Haycock’s paranormal reports.
The oldest rooms and corridors are most active – particularly those thought to have hosted Mary’s stay (a specific suite historically linked to her). The hallways of the original 16th-century wing, and some guest rooms in that wing, see many of the sightings and nighttime disturbances.
Visitors have described seeing a pale woman matching Mary Stuart’s description, sometimes standing at the end of a hallway or near a window, before fading away. Others recount waking up to a dark, human-shaped shadow beside their bed or the bed sinking as if someone invisible sat down. One guest reported hearing indistinct female murmurs in an empty room next door. Staff closing up at night occasionally hear light footfalls on the wooden stairs when no guests are around.
The Haycock’s hauntings have drawn interest; after its extensive restoration in 2021, reports of activity surged. Paranormal investigators and curious guests alike have conducted informal overnight watches. The hotel management is aware of the legends and sometimes shares the Mary, Queen of Scots story in promotional materials. The site has been featured in regional ghost tours and was highlighted in local media as one of Cambridgeshire’s most haunted places.
📅 Sample dates:2025-06-06 to 2025-06-08 • 2 adults
Dates and guest count can be changed on booking sites
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Paranormal Tip: Book rooms the oldest rooms and corridors are most active – particularly those thought to have hosted mary’s stay (a specific suite historically linked to her). the hallways of the original 16th-century wing 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.
Peterborough Museum, Conington Level Crossing (near Peterborough), Woodcroft Castle (near Peterborough), Nene Valley Railway Depot (Wansford).
Book your stay and experience Mary, Queen of Scots and the other spirits firsthand. Many guests report paranormal encounters during their visits.