Boscastle, Cornwall
The Wellington Hotel in Boscastle is not just a historic inn, it is a renowned hub of paranormal activity, with a reputation built on centuries of ghostly sightings and unexplained events. The hotel's long and storied past seems to have left a permanent impression, with multiple spirits said to linger within its ancient walls. Guests and staff frequently report encounters with these spectral residents. Among the most prominent is the ghost of an 18th-century coachman, a figure from the inn's heyday, who has been seen walking directly through a solid wall. Another tragic figure is that of a young lady, believed to have been jilted by a lover. Her heartbroken spirit is said to replay her final moments, seen jumping through a window. The activity is particularly concentrated in certain rooms. In rooms 9 and 10, the apparition of an old woman is a common sight, seen passing through walls and calmly sitting on the beds of startled guests. Room 9 is especially noted for its oppressive atmosphere, where visitors have reported deeply unsettling experiences like losing control of their bodies, speaking words not their own, and being paralysed for up to 30 seconds. Room 21 adds to the hotel's chilling reputation with its own catalogue of phenomena, including strange noises, a bed that moves on its own, and a door that mysteriously locks itself. The eerie sounds of furniture being dragged across floors and the sight of dark shadows on the cellar stairs, where the sad ghost of a young boy is seen, complete the picture of this intensely haunted Cornish hotel.
18th century coachmana young ladyan old womana young boy
The spectral population of The Wellington Hotel is as varied as the living guests who have stayed there over the centuries. Each ghost story adds another layer to its chilling reputation. The most startling apparition for many is the 18th-century coachman. He appears without warning, a solid-looking figure dressed in the garb of his time, only to silently glide towards a wall and pass directly through it, a disorienting glimpse into a time long past. His appearance is a stark reminder of the building's origins. Equally tragic is the tale of the young lady. Her story is one of profound sorrow, as it is believed she was jilted by a lover. Her ghost is not a malevolent one, but a figure of deep despair, seen replaying the desperate act of jumping from a window, a perpetual echo of a broken heart. The activity becomes more personal and invasive in the upper rooms. In rooms 9 and 10, an old woman makes her presence known. She has been seen walking through the dividing wall between the rooms before calmly taking a seat on the edge of a guest's bed, a quiet but unnerving intrusion. The experiences in room 9, however, are far more terrifying. People staying in this room have reported a complete loss of their own free will. Some have felt an overwhelming force take control of their bodies, leaving them unable to move for what feels like an eternity, while others have found themselves speaking words and sentences that are not their own, as if another consciousness has briefly taken over. Down in room 21, the phenomena are more physical. Disembodied sounds echo in the night, the bed has been known to shake or move on its own, and the door has locked itself, trapping guests inside with an unseen force. The activity extends even to the service areas, where the sound of furniture being dragged across an empty room has been heard. On the cellar stairs, dark, fleeting shadows are often seen in the corner of one's eye, and the sad, small figure of a young boy has appeared. His story is perhaps the most poignant, as it is said he died tragically while trying to save another child, his spirit forever tied to the place of his heroic final moments.
A phantom coachman in black frock coat and ponytail who silently moves through the hotel, occasionally walking directly through walls near reception.
A tragic young woman who took her own life after being abandoned by her lover, now seen replaying her final desperate act by jumping through hotel windows.
An elderly female spirit who walks through walls between rooms and sits on guests' beds, creating intense supernatural experiences in the hotel's most haunted chambers.
A child spirit who appears on the cellar stairs, believed to be a young boy who perished heroically while trying to save another child from drowning.
16th-17th Century (built circa 1600s)
Coaching inn and harbour inn
Nestled in the picturesque Cornish town of Boscastle, The Wellington Hotel boasts a history that stretches back to the 17th century. Originally established as a coaching inn, it served as a vital stop for weary travellers and their horses navigating the rugged coastal routes of the time. For centuries, its walls have absorbed the stories of countless individuals, from local residents to visitors from afar, making it a silent witness to the flow of history in this ancient harbour town. The building itself is a testament to endurance, having stood through changing eras, local triumphs, and tragedies. Its long-standing presence in the community has cemented its status as more than just a place of lodging, it is a landmark woven into the very fabric of Boscastle's heritage. The inn's continuous operation over hundreds of years means it has been a constant backdrop to the lives, dramas, and perhaps even the deaths, of many people. This deep, layered history provides a rich context for the many strange tales and ghostly encounters that are now synonymous with The Wellington Hotel, making it a fascinating destination for anyone intrigued by the intersection of history and the supernatural.
Traditional 16th-17th Century Coaching Inn with Victorian improvements
Apparition of a coachman walking through a wallApparition of a young lady jumping through a windowApparition of an old woman walking through a wall and sitting on bedsStrange sensationsLosing control of facultiesSaying words with no controlBeing unable to move for 30 secondsStrange soundsMoving bedDoor locking by itselfSound of furniture movingDark shadows seen on cellar stairsApparition of a young boy
Rooms 9 and 10, Room 21, Cellar stairs
The ghosts of a murdered coachman, a young girl, and an old woman have been seen by staff and guests alike. In room 9 specifically, people have reported experiencing strange and deeply unsettling sensations, which include losing control of their faculties, speaking words without any conscious control, and experiencing a temporary paralysis lasting up to 30 seconds.
Featured on Most Haunted TV programme in 2004, regular ghost hunt events by Haunting Nights, multiple paranormal investigations documented
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📅 Sample dates:2025-08-20 to 2025-08-22 • 2 adults
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Paranormal Tip: Book rooms near rooms 9 and 10 for the best chance of supernatural encounters!
Address:
The Harbour, Old Road, Boscastle, Cornwall, PL35 0AQ, United Kingdom
Status: Operating
Ghost hunting experiences and paranormal investigation events capitalize on the hotel's reputation as one of Cornwall's most haunted locations. Historic coaching inn stays offer guests the authentic experience of staying in a 16th-17th century building with all modern amenities. The hotel regularly hosts supernatural enthusiasts drawn by the documented activity in rooms 9, 10, and 21, as well as the cellar stairs manifestations. Featured on Most Haunted TV programme in 2004, the hotel continues to offer ghost hunt events in partnership with Haunting Nights paranormal investigation company.
Limited accessibility due to historic 16th-17th century building constraints, with narrow staircases and period features that may present challenges for mobility-impaired guests. However, ground floor areas including the restaurant and bar are more accessible. Guests with specific accessibility needs should contact the hotel directly to discuss available accommodations within the historic structure.
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Book your stay and experience 18th Century Coachman and the other spirits firsthand. Many guests report paranormal encounters during their visits.