Lady Evelyn

The Legend

On misty evenings when the light fades across the tranquil lake at Colwick Hall, guests and staff have reported a haunting vision that seems torn from another age. A woman in a flowing white gown appears at the water’s edge, her figure luminous against the gathering darkness, her face bearing an expression of profound sorrow. This is Lady Evelyn, the heartbroken Victorian spirit who has called Colwick Hall her eternal home for over a century.

The History

Colwick Hall stands as a Grade II* listed building with roots stretching back centuries, serving as the ancestral seat of the Musters family. The hall has witnessed tremendous historical drama, including the infamous Reform Bill Riots of 1831 when an angry mob attacked the property, and the tragic death of Mary Ann Musters (née Chaworth) in 1832—a woman who herself carried the burden of a broken heart, having once been the object of Lord Byron’s youthful affections.

It is within this tapestry of romantic tragedy and aristocratic sorrow that the legend of Lady Evelyn emerges. While her exact identity remains shrouded in Victorian mystery, local historians suggest she was connected to the hall during its most turbulent years in the nineteenth century. Some accounts indicate she suffered a devastating loss—perhaps a lover who never returned, or a marriage that brought only unhappiness within these grand walls.

The hall’s transformation from private residence to hotel has done nothing to diminish Lady Evelyn’s attachment to the grounds she once walked in life.

The Hauntings

The manifestations of Lady Evelyn follow a hauntingly consistent pattern. Her presence is most frequently observed near the lake that graces Colwick Hall’s picturesque grounds, where she appears as a luminous figure dressed in Victorian white—perhaps a wedding gown she never wore, or mourning dress bleached by death into spectral pallor.

Witnesses describe her movements as graceful yet melancholic, as if she is searching for something—or someone—long lost. She has been seen gazing across the water before dissolving into the evening mist. On other occasions, her ethereal form has been encountered within the hall itself, drifting through corridors with an otherworldly purpose known only to her restless spirit.

The hauntings appear most frequently during twilight hours and on anniversary dates that may hold personal significance to the departed lady.

Witness Accounts

Hotel guests have reported numerous encounters with unexplained phenomena attributed to Lady Evelyn. Cold spots materialise suddenly in corridors warmed by central heating. The sensation of being watched pervades certain areas of the building, particularly near windows overlooking the lake.

One guest staying at the hall reported waking to find a figure in white standing at the foot of their bed, only for it to vanish when they reached for the light switch. Staff members working late shifts have spoken of glimpsing a woman in period dress from the corner of their eye, only to find the space empty when they turn to look directly.

Investigation and Evidence

Colwick Hall has attracted the attention of paranormal researchers drawn by its well-documented haunted reputation. The hotel features prominently in regional ghost documentation, including coverage by Spooky Isles, which ranks it among Nottinghamshire’s most haunted locations.

The building’s listing with Historic England confirms its architectural and historical significance, lending weight to claims that such ancient walls might harbour spiritual residue of those who lived—and loved—within them.

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This ghost story is part of the haunted history of Colwick Hall Hotel. Book a stay to experience the paranormal atmosphere for yourself.