George Hotel Ghost
The George Hotel in Preston is home to a rather unsettling presence, that of Robert Clay, a man with a dark history. Legend has it that Robert Clay was responsible for the tragic deaths of two young children on the site, a crime so heinous that his spirit is said to still roam the hotel to this day. Described as a tall, bearded man with a deep voice, dressed in clothing from two hundred years ago, Robert Clay's appearances have been known to leave witnesses shaken. One poor landlord was driven out of the building, unable to cope with the mysterious presence that seemed to permeate every aspect of the hotel.
Historical records suggest that Robert Clay's alleged crimes date back to the Victorian era, a time when the George Hotel was already an established landmark in Preston. It's believed that Robert Clay killed the two children and buried their bodies in the cellar, a gruesome act that may have condemned his spirit to relive the horror for eternity. Those who claim to have seen Robert Clay describe him as a formidable figure, impossible to ignore. His presence is often accompanied by a feeling of unease, a sense that something is amiss. While some may dismiss these claims as mere fantasy, the fact remains that several people have reported similar experiences, leaving us to wonder if there's truth to the tale of Robert Clay's ghost.
The George Hotel has been a Preston landmark since the 19th century.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Preston Headless Dog Legend
General area, Preston
Preston, a town in Lancashire, is said to have been haunted by a rather unusual ghostly creature - a headless black hound. This phantom dog is believed to appear when danger threatens the town, a legend that has been passed down through the years. The headless dog is often referred to as a Shuck, a type of ghostly hound said to roam various parts of the UK. While there's no specific date or time associated with the sightings, the legend has become an integral part of Preston's folklore.
Silent Vulcan Sighting Preston
Sky near to the university campus, Preston
Preston's skies have witnessed some extraordinary occurrences, and one of the most fascinating is the sighting of the Silent Vulcan. In 1996, a student caught a glimpse of a large aircraft-like object that shot across the sky, leaving onlookers bewildered. Dubbed the Silent Vulcan due to its resemblance to a Vulcan bomber, albeit without any sound, this mysterious object moved at incredible speed towards the dock area. The student's account of this event has become a notable part of Preston's paranormal history.
The Vanishing Lady of Preston
Charnock Hotel, Preston
The Charnock Hotel on St Annes Street in Preston has a rather unsettling reputation thanks to reports of a mysterious lady who seems to vanish into thin air. It all started back in 2007 when owner Mandy Russell began noticing strange occurrences in the bar area. Staff and patrons alike would report finding items moved around and beer pumps mysteriously turned off, as if some unseen force was at play. One particularly puzzling incident involved a man who watched a woman enter the toilets, only to find the area empty when he went to investigate a few minutes later.
Stomping Horse Ghost
Round House, Blundellsands
The eerie sounds of a horse stamping its feet and whinnying loudly used to emanate from the Round House in Blundellsands, a quiet suburb in Lancashire. It was as if the ghostly equine was restless, unable to settle. The haunting was a mystery that puzzled the household until a rather remarkable discovery was made during extension work.
Ghostly Burglar Disguise
Fox and Goose Public House, Chorley
The Fox and Goose Public House in Chorley, Lancashire, has a rather unusual ghost story attached to it. Back in March 1887, the landlord and two other men were in the kitchen when they spotted a figure clad in white. The apparition made a strange noise, which was enough to persuade the men to let it leave without intervention. It was only later that the truth came to light - the 'ghost' was actually a cunning burglar who had tried to disguise himself as a paranormal entity.
The Woman in Silk
Swivel House, Didsbury
Swivel House in Didsbury, Lancashire, is a location steeped in paranormal history. This grand mansion was once home to Sam Dean, a wealthy industrialist who made his fortune selling swivels for handlooms. Following his death, a phantom woman dressed in a beautiful green silk gown began to appear within the house's walls. Her presence was marked by the soft rustling of her dress as she moved from room to room, a sound that must have been quite unsettling for those who heard it. The Woman in Silk became a well-known figure in local ghost stories, but her appearances ceased after the house was demolished, rebuilt, and renamed.