Lady Emma

The Legend

The Long Gallery at Ettington Park Hotel falls silent after midnight. Staff working late shifts report a particular quality to this silence, broken only by the soft rustle of fabric moving through empty space. Then she appears: a woman dressed entirely in white, her form distinct against the dark wood panelling as she glides along the corridor. She does not walk so much as drift, her feet obscured by the hem of her gown. Those who have encountered her note that she pays no attention to the living. Her trajectory carries her forward until she reaches the wall, whereupon she passes directly through the solid stone and disappears.

The hotel staff call her Lady Emma. They have done so for decades.

The History

Ettington Park’s documented history stretches back over a thousand years, with the Shirley family maintaining ownership for much of that time. The current Gothic revival mansion took shape between 1858 and 1862, though earlier structures on the site date to the mid-17th century. The building received Grade I listed status on 5 April 1967, recognising its architectural and historical significance.

The identity of Lady Emma remains uncertain. Staff tradition holds that she was a governess employed by the Shirley family during the Victorian period, though parish records have not confirmed her name or the circumstances of her connection to the property. What survives is her presence: documented repeatedly across the decades since the house became a hotel in 1983.

The property’s use changed dramatically through the 20th century. In 1935, the mansion became a nursing home. During World War II, it served as a camp for prisoners of war. A fire in 1979 caused significant damage, but restoration work allowed the building to reopen as a luxury hotel under the Isis Hotel Company. Hand Picked Hotels now manages the property.

The Hauntings

Lady Emma’s manifestations follow consistent patterns. She appears in the corridors, on the staircase, and in the library. Witnesses describe her white dress with remarkable consistency, noting that the fabric appears to move naturally, producing an audible rustle that often precedes her visual appearance.

Her most striking behaviour involves passing through walls. Multiple accounts describe her reaching what should be an impassable barrier and continuing forward without pause. The phenomenon suggests her route predates current wall placements, following pathways that existed in earlier configurations of the house.

The library has become particularly associated with her presence. Guests seated there at night have watched her drift past doorways. One account describes her pausing briefly, her head turning as though listening to something, before resuming her silent progress.

Ettington Park maintains an official log of guest ghost sightings. This unusual practice acknowledges the frequency of reported encounters. Lady Emma features prominently in these records, though she shares the register with other entities: a grey lady at the foot of the stairs, child spirits connected to a drowning tragedy involving two Shirley boys in the River Stour, a monk near the ruined chapel, and a man accompanied by his dog in the library.

Witness Accounts

Staff members have provided detailed descriptions over the years. The woman in white appears solid from a distance but becomes translucent as observers draw closer. Her features remain indistinct. Several accounts mention that she seems unaware of modern furnishings, passing through chairs and tables that stand in her path.

Guests have reported tactile sensations accompanying her appearances: sudden cold spots in corridors, the brush of fabric against bare skin when no one visible stands nearby. One recurring detail involves the sound of her dress, a sustained rustling that continues for several seconds after she vanishes from sight.

The veranda and conservatory entrance have also produced sightings, though these sometimes involve a different figure described as an old woman in Victorian clothing. Whether this represents Lady Emma in different attire or a separate entity remains debated among staff.

Investigation and Evidence

Ettington Park’s paranormal reputation reached a wide audience through its connection to cinema. The hotel’s exterior served as the filming location for the 1963 horror film ‘The Haunting’, directed by Robert Wise. The production team selected the property specifically for its atmosphere and ghostly associations.

Paranormal investigation teams have conducted sessions at the hotel over the years. Reports from these visits describe electromagnetic fluctuations in the Long Gallery, unexplained temperature drops in the library, and audio recordings capturing what investigators interpret as disembodied voices.

The hotel’s official sighting log provides the most consistent documentation. Entries span decades and include dates, times, locations, and witness descriptions. The accumulation of these reports, coming from guests with no prior knowledge of the hotel’s reputation, supports the pattern of recurring activity centred on specific areas of the building.

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