The Wellington Hotel is located on the north coastline of Cornwall, England. It's said to be one of the oldest coaching inns in the region, and it overlooks Boscastle's harbour. As for when this location as built, there is some contradiction. Some sources say the building dates back as far as the 1500s, but others say it possibly originated during the 1600s. This hotel was a victim of the Boscastle flood during 2004; but despite significant damage being caused, no one died during the flood and the Wellington Hotel has since been restored.

Oddly, this building seems to have no grisly history to speak of unless searching for hauntings instead of history; however, there are still tales of it being haunted. The location has a guestbook detailing experiences within room 9, and there is a poor review on tripadvisor which goes into detail on a guest's unexpected experience during the night. Interestingly, the experience which sparked interest in the paranormal happenings here is said to date from the 1970s. During this time period, a guest woke to find a woman standing at the foot of their bed, and this woman disappeared when the lights were turned on.

History

The Wellington Hotel is located on Dunn Street, which is in the village of Boscastle, Cornwall. The Hotel's official website says the building dates back to the 16th century, also known as the 1500s. It has been said by a different source that the building was built during the year of 1550, which supports what the official website has said. Two sources which contradict this are 'Historic England' and 'Haunted Rooms'. Haunted Rooms says the location dates to the 17th century, also known as the 1600s, and Historic England somewhat agrees by saying the location possibly has 17th century origins. If it was just Haunted Rooms which contradicted the official website, then I would believe the official website. However, Historic England is an organisation which helps to document and protect the historic locations of England. This means I'm inclined to believe Historic England when they say the Wellington Hotel possibly originated during the 1600s.

Historic England has also said that the location was extended and remodelled during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries; also known as the 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s. They have also said that the location was largely rebuilt during 1853, and that the original plan of the coaching inn is uncertain. I have found that the location was originally known as the Bos Castle Hotel until 1852 when it changed it's name to Scott's Wellington Hotel. While the original name is correct, I don't know how accurate 'Scott's Wellington Hotel' is. The sources 'Haunted Rooms' and 'Spooky Isles' have both cited 'Scott's Wellington Hotel', but I've found no information on this name elsewhere.

Looking at historical based websites, it seems the name was changed to 'The Wellington Hotel'. I suspect 'Scott's Wellington Hotel' has been falsely cited as the name from 1852 because from 2011 the owner's last name was Scott. This leads me to believe an article has been misinterpreted, or misquoted, somewhere down the line as it could be said that from 2011 the location was "Scott's" Wellington Hotel. I could be wrong on this speculation though, and so it's just something to bear in mind. As for why the hotel was renamed during the year of 1852; it was to honour the Duke of Wellington following his death in the same year.

I have managed to find the names of two past employees who worked at the hotel. One is Ernest Henry Squire, who was an ostler. Ernest was employed at the hotel to look after the horses. The other name is Richard Pickard. Richard was a porter at the hotel who was born during 1869 in Boscastle and he died during 1938. These two people were both featured in a photo dating from the July of 1913. As for other names in connection to the hotel, a few well known people have stayed here. The most prestigious name is that of King Edward VII. Thomas Hardy, who created 'Far From the Madding Crowd' and 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles', also stayed here. It was in this location that Thomas met his wife, Gemma Gifford, while he restored the nearby St. Juliot's Church. His third book 'A Pair of Blue Eyes' is said to gain a lot of inspiration from the scenery of Boscastle. The lamps used in the building were possibly designed by Thomas Hardy, and it's said they were originally used in St. Juliot's Church.

Sir Henry Irving, a victorian actor, has also stayed at the Wellington Hotel. Someone else who has stayed here is Guy Gibson VC. Guy was the leader of the Dambuster's raid during World War Two, and it's said he once described the hotel as his 'favourite hostelry'. During 2001, the owner of the Wellington Hotel was Victor Tobutt. As I've found no specific details on the location changing hands until 2010, it's possible that Victor was the owner during the Boscastle flood of 2004; however the location has apparently changed hands a number of times until the Scott ownership. During the Boscastle flood, significant damage was caused and you can see where the water came up due to a water mark on the bar. Luckily, some of the hotel's most valuable guest books were not in the building at the time of the flood. These guest books date back to 1860.

The hotel has been restored since the flood. This was done during 2004 by the Changing Rooms team as one of their last projects. I have found a contradicting detail saying this renovation occured during 2011, but a BBC News article reporting on it dates back to the 4th of November 2004. Specifically, they worked on the Waterloo Restaurant within the hotel. The 2011 renovation likely did occur, but was not done by the Changing Rooms team. Instead, the 2011 renovation was likely the result of the new Scott management. Jonathan Scott first bought the Wellington Hotel during 2010, although it has been said that he and Lesley Scott aquired the hotel during 2011. I believe 2010 is the correct date as the source citing this date has gone into detail by saying Christie & Co were the ones to sell the hotel to Jonathan Scott.

Jonathan owned the hotel for at least 10 years until it was bought by St Austell Brewery. An article dating from the 11th of August 2022 reported on this sale, and it was Christie & Co who brokered the deal between Jonathan and St Austell Brewery. On the 4th of November 2024, scaffolding was erected for essential work, and the location has been closed due to it currently undergoing refurbishment. However, the Wellington Hotel is set to reopen during the spring of 2025. The hotel has fourteen bedrooms, three aparthotel suits, a pub bar, and a restaurant. It has been awarded two AA rosettes for it's quality of food, and it's been nicknamed 'The Welly'. Apparently the River Jordan flows under the building, and the bar is called 'The Long Bar'. The Wellington Hotel is a grade II listed building, and it was first listed on the 17th of December 1962.

The Tripadvisor Review

The following documents a review which was posted on tripadvisor about The Wellington Hotel. I've decided to include it in this article as a few sources have mentioned this specific experience when discussing the hauntings, and I believe context along with the original account is key. I will feature screenshots of the review at the end of the article as proof that this review did exist at the time of writing this article in the event of the review being removed. Following this segment, I have also documented the response from the manager at the time as I feel this is equally important to hear both sides. I will discuss both the review and the manager's response in detail in the 'My Thoughts' segment towards the end of the article.

DON'T STAY HERE...IT'S A NIGHTMARE!!!!!

Review of The Wellington Hotel

Reviewed 23 Jul 2009

My experience at this hotel was something I wouldn't wish upon anyone. Upon arrivial and noticing it was a very old building I jokingly asked the receptionist who showed us to our rooms if the hotel was haunted. She laughed and said she hadn't seen any ghosts but had seen a couple of odd shadows.She did not elaborate on this and said nothing else. She then took me to my room which was no.9.

My friend and I then went out for the day and later returned and decided to sit in the lounge area of the hotel prior to going out for an evening meal. We noticed a book saying hotel History and decided to have a look in it. Inside was a history of the building etc. and then a section devoted to the hauntings of the building especially those of room no.9!! including a staff member seeing the figure of a woman walk through the door when the room was vacant. It also has a photo of the area outside the door of room 9 with a ghostly figure standing there. It also states how most haunted have done an episode there and how there have been strange goings on in the bar as well as room 9.

Being concerned about this I asked the evening receptionist about the hauntings in my room and she said that a few people had complained of someone coming into the room at night and strange sounds. I felt very apprehensive of spending the night there but as I was already checked in and all my stuff unpacked I didn't want to make a scene and ask for a different room but did feel annoyed that I had not been made aware of the fact that the room i had been given was clearly known to be haunted.

I went to my room and went to bed but left the tv on low so it wasn't too dark etc. I awoke the next morning at around 6.30 am and felt quite pleased that I had not been woken in the night and all was well. I decided to lie in bed and watch tv for a bit as it was still quite early. What happened next I have to say frightened the life out of me. I was lying on the bed when suddenly I felt a really strange sensation and said to myself "oh my god it's here" as those words ran through my mind I suddenly felt what can only be desribed as someone walking up the bed behind me and then a rush of cold air and then total paralysis of my body....I couldn't move I was frozen. I kept thinking if I can just reach the phone I can call my friend but i couldn't. This feeling lasted about 30 secs and then as quickly as it came ...it left me and I felt normal again. I hastily got up and went to my friends room and relayed the whole event. I am a 43 year old woman.. I don't drink and am not on any medication and am very clear about what happened to me and certainly did not imagine this incident.

I went down to tell the receptionist who happened to be the manager and she was not sypathetic at all. She told me that the mediums they have had there told them 'the spirits are friendly'. I told her I didn't find that incident very friendly and that they should get someone there to try and get rid of whatever it is. She was very rude to me and said "she didn't care about what happened and that we should leave!! I was gobsmacked i had just been through the most frightening experience of my life and she was totally indifferent despite knowing full well that the room is haunted (the history book). All I wanted was for her to show a little understanding and perhaps apologise for my ordeal. She was extremely rude to me over this whole incident.

I do think that like there is a real estate law regarding selling property to people with an entity in it and the law stating you must inform them....this should also apply to renting people hotel rooms. The Wellington know sroom no.9 is haunted but are not informing the people that stay in it and I think this is wrong as had I been told I would have opted for another room. I just think out of fairness people should be informed. Not everyone will go into the lounge and read the history book so unless the staff inform you you won't know.

I think this whole business let the hotel down as otherwise it was ok. The attitude of the manager was nothing short of disgusting and aside from my terryifying encounter her attitude alone would put me off staying here again.

The Manager's Response

The_Wellington, Manager at The Wellington Hotel, responded to this review

Responded 30 Jul 2009

The management refrains from expressing personal opinions about paranormal activity in an attempt to be respectful of guest’s individual views.

We are often asked if we have heard of any ghost stories in the hotel. In response to this demand there is an information folder in the resident’s lounge documenting past employee and guest “experiences”. We are obviously unable to confirm or deny these reports.

We apologise if this information at anytime made you feel apprehensive about staying in Rm 9. A jovial personality showed no signs of distress. Had we been made aware, we would have happily moved you immediately.

We readily admit that you were told to leave the premises. We are happy to discuss people’s grievances so that we may improve the services we offer. However, this does not extend to a toleration of verbal and finally physical abuse.

Hauntings

In addition to what has been documented in the tripadvisor review, a few different spirits have been reported. Apparently the staff and guests have reported three different ghosts. These ghosts are a coachman, a little girl, and an old lady. The coachman has a long ponytail, wears a black frock coat, and walks through the hotel walls. This coachman is believed to be one from the 1700s who lost control of his horses and drowned in the harbour. It's also said he watches people silently from the shadows, and upon being seen he turns and walks away. It's also been speculated that the coachman could be a stable lad or a pirate. The former owner, Victor Tobutt, was working at the reception desk when he saw the figure of a man silently drift past. The man wore leather gaiters, boots, a frock coat, and a frilled shirt. He has been described as being in the style of a 1700s coachman. The man apparently disappeared through a wall, and when Victor described to the employees what he saw, the man completed the description for Victor.

The old lady has also been seen walking through walls and doors both in and around room 9. One guest has said they've been woken by an elderly lady and were pinned to the bed by her in the night. They said it only lasted thirty seconds, but it felt like an eternity. This could very well be the same experience as detailed in the tripadvisor review as the 30 seconds detail is the same, however other details such as it 'lasting an eternity' are different. The same goes for the spirit being an elderly lady. The little girl is said to haunt rooms 15, 16, and 17. She is said to skip down the corridor out of those rooms, smiles at guests, and walks through walls and doors. People think that she wants to play hide and seek. Apparently, this girl is called Emily and she alledgedly fell to death from a hotel window during the 1800s. Guests and staff have heard child's laughter and footsteps near where she supposedly died.

It's unclear if the little girl has been seen with the coachman, and if all three have been seen together. The wording in sources on these three was a little unclear regarding if they were independant or appeared together. Room 9 has been said to be the most haunted part of the location, and so there is a section in the hotel's guestbook which is dedicated to guest's experiences in this room. Thomas Hardy and his wife are also claimed to haunt the building. They have been seen strolling arm in arm around the grounds and the halls of the hotel. Apparently a man who alledgedly killed himself in the location also haunts the building.

Another account says that an employee and retired policeman, by the name of Bill Searle, saw a misty shape which looked like a cloak drift across the landing and then it disappeared through the wall of a guest's room. It's said Bill saw this happen twice, and that it's thought he saw the spirit of a young girl who had flung herself from the ramparts of the tower's hotel in despair. Also, another guest has reported that his dog was taken out of his room by a ghost as if the ghost was taking the dog for a walk. The guest who reported this is said to have been a writer.

A dark shape apparently floats down the stairs and into the cellar. In the cellars, there are cold spots, noises, and feelings of unease. Objects in the hotel have been said to move on their own, and the lights turn on and off without apparent reason. Doors open and close, and knocking sounds have been reported. It's also said that an elderly man has been seen in the bar area. This man is said to wear old fashioned clothing, and disappears when approached. It's been speculated that this man is either a former inn keeper or a regular visitor. As for the event which renewed interest in this location's haunted reputation, this occured during the 1970s. A guest woke to find the figure of a woman standing at the foot of their bed, and this woman disappeared when the lights were turned on.

Summary Of Hauntings

1. Emily, young girl, fell to death

2. A coachman/stable lad/pirate, 1700s, walks through walls, black coat, long ponytail

3. Little girl, walks through doors and walls - rooms 15, 16, and 17 and their corridor

4. Old lady, walks through doors and walls - in and around room 9

5. Thomas Hardy, strolls with Gemma

6. Gemma Gifford, strolls with Thomas

7. A man, killed himself

8. Dog walking ghost

9. Dark shape - goes downstairs and into the cellar

10. Elderly man/former inn keeper/regular visitor, old fashioned clothing - bar area

11. Cold spots - cellars

12. Noises - cellars

13. Feelings of unease - cellars

14. Objects move on their own

15. Lights turn on and off

16. Doors open and close

17. Knocking sounds

My Thoughts

I do suspect the 30 second experience is the same as the tripadvisor review as that seems too specific a detail for two seperate accounts to share. Regarding the review, I suspect the review makes great exaggerations. In the manager's response, they imply the guest was verbally and physically abusive towards the staff. They also say the guest seemed happy to stay in room 9, and this was backed up by the fact they were never moved to a different room. If the guest was as bad as the management response indicates, then I believe the guest likely will have vastly overexaggurated in order to paint themselves in a better light.

As for their experience, I believe it did happen and that it was due to a couple of things. I think sleep paralysis likely occured, and it was influenced by the guest's knowledge of room 9. They admit in their review that when they felt the episode coming on, their mind immediately went to it being down to a ghost due to their comment of thinking 'it's here' in response. They also described being paralysed. Plus, this experience occured during the early hours of the morning when they could still have been feeling tired and may have begun to drift off again without realising. After all, it was said the experience came on when they were lying on the bed. As a result, I think the whole thing was likely a sleep paralysis episode.

As for the other hauntings, I do suspect Thomas Hardy and his wife could be present. I also believe the spirits of coachmen, past owners, and past residents could be present. As for the deaths connected to hauntings, such as that of Emily, and that of the man who killed himself; I am hesitant to believe these details. When searching the history of the location, no sources discussed any deaths independently to the hauntings. This doesn't mean the events didn't happen, but it makes them feel more like cliche ghost stories as opposed to historical events. It's always best to be suspicious of events which are exclusively connected to tales of ghosts, because people make these things up all the time for publicity and profit.

Thank You!

Thank you for reading this article! I've published it a bit later than intended, but it was unfortunately delayed by the Christmas and new year period. The next article will be published on Friday the 10th of January, and it will serve as both a thank you for 2024 and an outline for 2025. There are a couple of things I'm wanting to tweak through the year, so it will be good to discuss and outline those things. The following article will be published on Monday the 13th of January, and it will document a haunted location in Kent.

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Tripadvisor Review Images

Below are the screenshots I've taken of the tripadvisor review and management response. As I had to take three seperate screenshots, I've made sure to keep a bit of the previous image so that you can see for sure that all three images follow on from one another and that nothing has been cut out. The images are purely so that, in the event of the review being removed from tripadvisor, you can see the original complaint which led to one of the tales around room 9.