The Schooner Hotel

The Schooner Hotel in Alnmouth holds the dubious distinction of being investigated as one of Britain’s most haunted establishments, with paranormal research teams documenting over 60 different spirits within its walls. The most prominent ghost is that of a smuggler who was hanged from the building during the early 19th century, his restless spirit frequently seen swinging from the rafters in what is now the bar area. Guests have reported waking to the sensation of someone sitting on their beds, while others have fled their rooms in terror after encountering full-bodied apparitions standing at the foot of their beds in the dead of night.

The hotel’s haunted reputation became nationally known when a paranormal investigation team captured extensive evidence of supernatural activity, including thermal imaging of unexplained cold spots, electronic voice phenomena containing distinct messages from spirits, and numerous photographs showing orbs and shadow figures. Room 28 is particularly notorious, with guests reporting violent poltergeist activity including furniture being moved, personal belongings being thrown across the room, and the terrifying apparition of a little girl who appears crying before vanishing into thin air. The spirit of a nun has also been witnessed gliding through the corridors, while staff have reported hearing children laughing and playing in empty rooms during the early morning hours.

The building’s history as a former coaching inn and its proximity to the coast, where smuggling was rampant in the 18th and 19th centuries, may explain the concentration of paranormal activity. Multiple guests have reported being touched by invisible hands, experiencing sudden dramatic temperature drops, and hearing disembodied voices calling their names. The hotel’s paranormal activity is so well-documented that it has become a destination for ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts from around the world, with some claiming that the sheer number of spirits present creates an almost constant supernatural atmosphere that can be felt the moment one steps through the door.