Skip to main content

Ghost of Elizabeth Bessie Hewitson

Whitworth Hall County Park Hotel, Spennymoor, Durham Apparition Victorian

Whitworth Hall County Park Hotel in Spennymoor is home to a rather intriguing ghost story. They say that Elizabeth Bessie Hewitson, dressed in black, still walks around the building, even though she died back in the 1800s. It's not just Elizabeth that's said to haunt the hotel, another ghost, a male, is reported to have died of a broken heart. The atmosphere around here can be quite eerie, especially if you're exploring the hotel and its grounds on a dark evening.

The story of Elizabeth Bessie Hewitson dates back to the Victorian era, a time of grandeur and opulence for many English country houses. Whitworth Hall, now a hotel, was once a grand residence. Elizabeth's ghostly apparition, dressed in black, has been seen by numerous people over the years. While there's little information on the male ghost, it's clear that both spirits are said to roam the hotel's corridors. The hauntings here have become a part of local folklore, attracting those interested in the paranormal.

Historical Context

The hotel was once a grand Victorian residence.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Hotel
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
Unknown
Postcode Area
DL16

Nearby Haunted Places

Unknown 0.9 mi

Tall Man

, Byers Green

The Old Marquis of Granby in Byers Green is a pub with a reputation for being haunted by a tall man. This former watering hole has seen some strange occurrences, including a stool moving across the room on its own. A plumber who witnessed this bizarre event was so spooked that he fled the site. The identity of the tall man remains a mystery, but his presence is certainly making an impact on those who visit the pub.

Historic Public House Georgian
Read Full Story
Apparition 1.4 mi

The Floating Face of Spennymoor

Area of land next to old railway line, Spennymoor

Deep in the heart of the Rosa Shafto nature reserve in Spennymoor, a rather bizarre and unexplained sighting took place back in 1982. Four children were out and about in an area of land next to the old railway line when they stumbled upon something that would leave a lasting impression on them. A large, solid, white face was spotted floating alongside a silver birch tree. The children's reaction was immediate - they fled home as fast as their legs could carry them, with at least one of them experiencing nightmares about the incident for years to come.

Nature Reserve Late 20th Century
Read Full Story
Apparition 2.9 mi

Cockfield Club Ghost Voices

Cockfield Workingmen's Club, Cockfield

Cockfield Workingmen's Club has been at the centre of paranormal activity in this small Durham village. Over two separate ghost hunts in 2009 and 2010, investigators reported strange occurrences including tapping on mirrors and disembodied voices. These events suggest that the club may be home to restless spirits, but the exact nature of these ghostly apparitions remains a mystery. Despite plans for further investigation, a charity stakeout scheduled for 2013 was cancelled due to health and safety concerns.

Working Men's Club Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 3.1 mi

The Pale Woman of Kirkbean

Road between village and Prestonmill, Kirkbean

This stretch of road between Kirkbean village and Prestonmill has long been associated with a spine-tingling apparition - a woman in white. Locals have reported seeing her walking along the treetops and occasionally on the road with mortal travellers. Her ethereal presence seems to be confined to this particular spot, leaving many to wonder about the story behind her haunting. Was she a local resident, a traveller, or a spirit from another realm? The mystery remains, but one thing is certain - the Pale Woman of Kirkbean has become an integral part of local folklore.

Road Victorian
Read Full Story
Shuck 3.1 mi

Mainsriddle Black Dog Haunting

Road between village and Prestonmill, Mainsriddle

The stretch of road between Mainsriddle village and Prestonmill has long been associated with a mysterious presence, once referred to as Dairymaid's Hollow. It's here that locals claim to have encountered the Hound, a black dog said to roam the area. In the late 19th century, three women reported hearing the sound of something passing by, which they believed to be a black dog, although one of them suggested it could have been the call of a peacock. The incident remains one of the few recorded sightings of this elusive creature.

Road Victorian
Read Full Story
Dragon 3.4 mi

Limbless Worm of Bishop Auckland

Wooded area, Bishop Auckland

Deep in the heart of a Durham woodland, a legendary creature was said to roam, striking fear into the hearts of locals. The Limbless Worm, a long and hostile beast, was rumoured to attack both man and beast with equal ferocity. Its true nature remains a mystery, with some speculating it may have been a wild boar that was mistaken for a more fantastical creature. What is certain is that the worm was eventually slain by a member of the Pollard family, bringing an end to its reign of terror.

Woods Medieval
Read Full Story