Exeter, Devon
The City Gate Hotel harbours a collection of chilling paranormal phenomena that have persisted through decades of operation. The most prominent supernatural presence centres around the tragic figure of a former landlord who met his end in the hotel's kitchen, creating a focal point of intense spiritual activity that even affects local cats, who visibly react with fear and agitation when near the specific location. The hotel's cellar, built into Exeter's ancient city walls, experiences unexplained atmospheric disturbances including sudden cold winds that sweep through the space despite closed skylights and complete absence of external breeze, suggesting the presence of restless spirits trapped within the medieval stonework. Throughout the building, guests and staff report hearing ghostly screams and the distinctive howling of a phantom dog, sounds that echo through corridors and rooms with no identifiable source. The supernatural activity intensifies dramatically at 3am, when unearthly music fills the air and lights flicker throughout the building in patterns that defy electrical explanation. These phenomena suggest multiple layers of paranormal activity, from residual hauntings replaying tragic events to intelligent spirits attempting to communicate with the living. The combination of the building's long history as a coaching inn, its location on ancient foundations, and the documented tragedy of the landlord's death has created a perfect storm of supernatural energy that continues to manifest in various forms throughout the hotel.
The Tragic Landlord, Cellar Spirits, Residual Energy
The most documented and chilling supernatural presence at The City Gate Hotel revolves around the former landlord whose tragic end in the kitchen continues to disturb both human visitors and animal guests. Staff and long-term residents report that cats brought into the building exhibit extreme distress when approaching a specific area of the kitchen, spitting, shaking, and refusing to enter the space. This reaction suggests the presence of a deeply traumatised spirit whose emotional energy remains trapped in the location of his death. Witnesses describe sensing an overwhelming feeling of despair and anguish in this area, particularly during quiet evening hours. The cellar presents its own supernatural challenges, with guests and maintenance staff regularly experiencing sudden, intense cold winds that sweep through the space despite all skylights being securely closed. These winds are accompanied by a distinctive chill that penetrates clothing and seems to target specific individuals, suggesting an intelligent haunting rather than mere atmospheric disturbance. The phenomenon occurs even on the warmest summer days when there is no external breeze, and the sudden temperature drops have been measured at up to 15 degrees Celsius. Throughout the hotel, the most dramatic paranormal activity occurs at precisely 3am, when guests report being awakened by unearthly music that seems to come from within the walls themselves. This ethereal music, described as resembling old folk tunes or hymns, plays for several minutes before fading away. Simultaneously, lights throughout the building flicker in a coordinated pattern that electrical engineers have been unable to explain, despite thorough inspections of the wiring system. Guests in various rooms report hearing ghostly screams and the haunting howl of a phantom dog, sounds that echo through the corridors and seem to move throughout the building. These auditory phenomena are often preceded by a sudden drop in temperature and an overwhelming sense of being watched.
Mysterious entities trapped within the hotel's ancient cellar, built into Exeter's medieval city walls, manifesting as unexplained cold winds and atmospheric disturbances.
A coordinated supernatural event occurring precisely at 3am, featuring unearthly music, systematic light flickering, and phantom sounds that echo throughout the entire hotel.
The tortured spirit of a former landlord who took his own life in the hotel kitchen, creating such powerful negative energy that cats still refuse to enter the area.
18th century (built circa 1770)
Crown and Sceptre Inn - coaching inn and tavern
The City Gate Hotel stands on one of Exeter's most historically significant sites, originally serving as the Crown and Sceptre Inn from 1770. Built near the ancient Northgate, one of Exeter's four medieval city gates, this location has been a gateway to the city for centuries. The original inn was strategically positioned to serve stagecoaches arriving from North Devon, as the steep ascent of North Street required passengers to disembark to lighten the load for horses. The inn was rebuilt in 1834 to align with the new Iron Bridge roadway, incorporating part of Exeter's ancient city wall into its cellar structure. The building played a crucial role in Exeter's coaching era, serving as a vital rest stop for travellers and merchants. An ostler named Johnny Doe, responsible for the 1770 rebuilding, became a well-known local character whose saying 'one of Johnny Doe's days – better day than it turned out' entered local folklore. The inn witnessed significant historical events, including a tragic brewing accident in 1848 when brewer Shadrack Kemp fell into a boiling vat and later died. During World War II, the building served the local community through challenging times. After a period of closure from 1991-1997 and a devastating fire in 1999, the building underwent extensive £1.3 million renovations to become the boutique hotel it is today, carefully preserving its Georgian architecture and historical character whilst incorporating modern amenities.
Georgian architecture with ancient foundations incorporating medieval city wall elements
Cold winds in cellar despite closed skylights, ghostly screaming, phantom dog howling, unearthly music at 3am, lights flickering, cats showing extreme distress in kitchen area, sudden temperature drops, feelings of being watched
Kitchen (where former landlord died) - cats refuse to enter, extreme emotional distress felt; Cellar - cold winds, temperature drops, ancient foundations; Throughout building at 3am - music, light flickering, phantom sounds
Multiple guests and staff have documented the cold wind phenomenon in the cellar, with visitors reporting sudden chills that penetrate clothing even on warm days. Kitchen staff consistently avoid certain areas due to the disturbing reactions of cats and an overwhelming sense of unease. Night shift workers have logged numerous reports of the 3am supernatural symphony, with lights flickering in patterns that electrical systems cannot explain. Guests staying in various rooms have independently reported being awakened by ghostly screams and phantom dog howls, with some describing the sounds as moving through the building like an invisible presence walking the corridors.
The hotel has attracted interest from paranormal researchers due to its consistent reports and multiple types of supernatural activity. The building's ancient foundations and documented tragic history make it a compelling location for studying both residual and intelligent hauntings.
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📅 Sample dates:2025-08-28 to 2025-08-30 • 2 adults
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Paranormal Tip: Book rooms near kitchen (where former landlord died) - cats refuse to enter for the best chance of supernatural encounters!
City centre location, boutique accommodation, historic atmosphere
Central Exeter location, walking distance to train station, limited parking
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