The Feathers: A History Haunted
Ghosts of the Feathers Hotel, Ludlow
The Feathers Hotel in Ludlow is famous not only for its stunning Jacobean architecture, but also for its long history of hauntings. Built in 1619 by local attorney Rees Jones, the building has stood through civil war, political drama, and centuries of travellers passing through its doors. With so much history absorbed into its old timber beams, it’s no surprise that many believe the hotel is still home to spirits from eras long gone.
Below is a look at some of the most well-known ghosts said to haunt this remarkable building.
The Mini-Skirt Ghost
One of the strangest apparitions linked to The Feathers isn’t seen inside the building at all, but out on the pavement in front of it.
Multiple witnesses have reported a young woman—around sixteen to eighteen years old—gliding across the road wearing a mini skirt. She appears suddenly, passes through parked cars, and vanishes just as quickly.
In the summer of 1974, a businessman named Mr. Ainsley was running late for a meeting. After parking hurriedly outside the hotel, he turned back to his car—only to see a young girl float straight through it before disappearing. When he told the barman what he’d witnessed, the response was chilling:
“You’re the sixth person to see her this year, sir.”
This ghost turned out to be unusually unique. A local investigator later traced the girl and discovered she was still very much alive. In the 1970s, she regularly crossed the Bull Ring to visit her aunt. The theory is that she unconsciously imprinted this moment of her life so strongly that a “living ghost” remains—an extremely rare type of haunting.
The Jealous Woman of Room 211
Room 211 is widely known as the most unsettling room in the hotel.
Guests have reported:
A heavy sense of dread
Disturbed sleep
Being physically touched or pulled
One woman staying in the room awoke to find herself being dragged out of bed by her hair. After calming herself and falling asleep again, she awoke drenched in cold water—yet the bed around her was completely dry.
Her partner, meanwhile, slept soundly, only feeling the gentle sensation of a hand stroking his cheek. It seems this particular spirit has a dislike for women, but a soft spot for men.
The Victorian Man and His Dog
Between rooms 232 and 233, staff and guests have witnessed a Victorian gentleman strolling calmly with his dog. The pair appear completely solid—until they walk straight through the wall.
These sightings are among the most frequently reported at The Feathers, suggesting a residual haunting: a moment from the past replaying endlessly, imprinted into the building itself.
Poltergeist Activity in the Lounge and Hall
The hotel’s baronial hall and lounge areas are hotspots for unusual activity. Reports over the years include:
Sudden, dramatic temperature drops
Objects moving on their own
Disembodied footsteps
The sound of children running or clapping in the early hours
These childish footsteps are heard by both staff and guests—but at times when no children are staying in the hotel.
A Preacher Searching for “Richard”
In the writing room, some visitors have encountered the spirit of a stern preacher from the era of King James I. Witnesses say he appears searching for someone named “Richard,” repeating the name with urgency before fading away.
Nobody knows who Richard was—or what the preacher wanted with him.
A Modern Encounter: Sylvia Silk’s Experience
During a haunted pubs tour, guide Sylvia Silk stayed at The Feathers and experienced the unsettling atmosphere for herself.
After struggling with the kettle in her room, she later heard a loud snapping sound. When she returned from the bathroom, she found the kettle’s electrical cord had been thrown across the room.
She spent the night wide awake, lights on, feeling an increasing sense of dread—the same experience that another tour guide had reported weeks earlier.
A Building Steeped in Shadows
Whether it is jealous spirits, wandering Victorian figures, or echoes of the living, The Feathers Hotel remains one of Ludlow’s most paranormally active locations. Its rich and turbulent history seems woven into the very fabric of the timber beams, creating a perfect stage for the ghosts that so many claim to have seen.
If you plan to visit Ludlow, a night at The Feathers may offer more than just comfort and historic charm—you may find yourself face-to-face with the past.
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