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Best Western Exeter Lord Haldon Country Hotel

Dunchideock, Devon

Built in the 1700s (early 18th century) Country Hotel (18th-century mansion) 25 Rooms 3 Ghosts

The Resident Spirits

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The hotel is reportedly haunted by multiple spirits: a distraught, drenched 18th-century servant girl ('The Drowned Maid'); a large man with rolled-up sleeves ('The Burly Man') seen in a window; and a young, possibly faceless, girl who knocks on doors.

Known Ghosts:

The Drowned Maid (18th-century servant girl), The Burly Man, The Young Girl (child spirit)

The Drowned Maid: A tragic 18th-century servant girl who was allegedly impregnated by an aristocratic guest and subsequently drowned in the estate's ornamental waters to conceal the scandal. Her soaking wet apparition roams the corridors, leaving wet footprints and cold spots, accompanied by an overwhelming sense of sadness. Her haunting appears to be residual, replaying the traumatic energy of her tragic end. The Burly Man: An imposing male figure with rolled-up sleeves, consistently seen in the lounge window. His working-class appearance suggests he may have been a former servant or tradesman with a particular attachment to this area of the house. His quiet, observational presence suggests an intelligent haunting, though his identity and reason for remaining are unknown. The Young Girl: A child spirit believed to be connected to the Palk family, possibly Catherine or Emelia Palk, daughters of Sir Robert Palk who died young in the 1780s-1790s. She is known for knocking on guest room doors at night, sometimes described as faceless. Her gentle presence represents childhood innocence seeking attention, continuing patterns established in life within what was once her family home.

Meet Each Spirit

The Burly Man

Intelligent Haunting Late 18th century|Unknown

A large, imposing figure with rolled-up sleeves, known as 'The Burly Man', is frequently sighted in the lounge window of the Lord Haldon Country Hotel, his origins shrouded in mystery.

Most Active Areas:

Lounge window Lounge area
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The Drowned Maid

Residual Haunting 18th century

The sorrowful spirit of an 18th-century servant girl, tragically drowned on the estate, is said to manifest as a soaking wet apparition, leaving a chilling trail in her wake.

Most Active Areas:

Corridors Top of the buil... Grounds near or...
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The Young Girl

Child Spirit Late 18th century (1780s-1790s)

The spirit of a young girl, sometimes described as faceless, is reported to knock on guest room doors at the Best Western Exeter Lord Haldon Country Hotel, believed by some to be connected to the Palk family.

Most Active Areas:

Guest room door... Former family q... Main corridors
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Historical Background

Building Age

Built in the 1700s (early 18th century)

Original Purpose

Country home of the Haldon family, later the Palk family estate.

Historical Significance

Originally an early 18th-century mansion belonging to the Haldon family, later owned by the prominent Palk family. The current hotel is built within the surviving stable block of the original Haldon House, which was largely demolished in the 1920s. The Palk family, particularly Sir Robert Palk, were significant figures in the area during the late 18th century. The estate tragically witnessed the deaths of Catherine and Emelia Palk, daughters of Sir Robert Palk, who died young in the 1780s-1790s.

Architecture

Current hotel constructed within the surviving stable block of the original early 18th-century mansion. The main Haldon House was demolished in the 1920s, but the hotel retains the historical connection to the estate.

What Guests Experience

Reported Activity

Soaking wet apparitions with wet footprints on dry floors, dramatic temperature drops and cold spots, mysterious knocking on guest room doors at night (particularly in dead of night), feelings of profound sadness and despair, sudden appearances and disappearances in lounge window, dripping water sounds without visible source.

Most Active Areas

Corridors and upper reaches of building (Drowned Maid), lounge window and lounge area (Burly Man), guest room doors and main corridors (Young Girl), areas near former family quarters and ornamental water features on grounds.

Witness Accounts

Consistent anecdotal reports from guests and staff describing wet apparitions, mysterious knocking, and window sightings. Reports passed down through generations maintain consistent details across various accounts, lending weight to the stories.

Paranormal Investigations

No specific paranormal investigation history provided in the source material.

Experience These Encounters Yourself

Ready to witness the paranormal activity firsthand? Book your stay and join the ranks of guests who've encountered the supernatural.

Check Availability & Rates

Book Your Stay

Price Range: £100 - £180 per night
Rooms: 25
Spirits: 3 Ghosts

📅 Sample dates:2025-08-30 to 2025-09-01 • 2 adults
Dates and guest count can be changed on booking sites

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Paranormal Tip: Book rooms near corridors and upper reaches of building (drowned maid) for the best chance of supernatural encounters!

Contact Details

Address:
Dunchideock, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7YF

Phone: +44 1392 832483

Status: Operating

Special Packages

Wedding packages and conference venue.

Accessibility

Check with hotel, lack of disabled access reported by guests.

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12 haunted sites and 5 attractions within 10-15 miles

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Location Details

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Best Western Exeter Lord Haldon Country Hotel & Surroundings Legend

Hotel
Unknown
Apparition
Poltergeist
Attraction

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