Eastwell Manor
Eastwell Manor
Boughton Lees, Kent
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Paranormal Tip: Book rooms near the gardens and lakefront are primary locations for sightings of the phantom horseman for the best chance of supernatural encounters!
The Resident Spirits
Eastwell Manor is haunted by a phantom horseman, believed to be Richard Plantagenet, son of Richard III, who gallops across the estate before dramatically plunging into the lake and vanishing. The White Lady, a graceful figure with long black hair and shadowed features, glides through corridors and appears at the top of the main staircase. Additional phenomena include radios turning on and off, footsteps in empty rooms, clunking noises throughout the house, and electrical sensations rising from the floor.
The most famous ghostly tale involves a spectral horseman, believed to be Richard Plantagenet, charging across the lawns towards the manor before veering dramatically into the lake and vanishing. Known locally as the 'Swimming Horseman,' this phantom's behaviour may echo his traumatic flight from the Battle of Bosworth Field. The White Lady manifests with long black hair and shadowed features, appearing most frequently at the top of the main staircase. She walks corridors, staring at the floor before disappearing after a few paces. Witnesses have seen her in mirrors, particularly in the bar area, where she appears in a white gown before vanishing when viewed directly. Additional phenomena include electrical sensations emerging from beneath floors, a distinctive clunking noise that travels around the house, thumping sounds with no apparent source, radios turning on and off independently, and deliberate footsteps echoing from empty rooms.
Historical Background
Building Age
Main house construction dates to the 1550s (16th century).
Original Purpose
Originally built as a stately home for Sir Thomas Moyle. It subsequently served as a grand country estate for nobility, including the Earls of Winchilsea, before its conversion into a hotel.
Historical Significance
Eastwell Manor holds significant historical importance, most notably as the reputed final residence of Richard Plantagenet, alleged illegitimate son of Richard III, who lived and died there in the 1550s. The estate later became home to the Earls of Winchilsea. During World War I, it was converted into a convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers. Since the 1920s, it has operated as a hotel, preserving its rich heritage while adapting to modern hospitality. Its connections to royalty, nobility, and wartime service underscore its historical depth.
Architecture
The manor is a fine example of Tudor-Jacobean architecture, characterised by its imposing structure, period detailing, and expansive formal gardens. Significant Victorian-era modifications and additions have also shaped its current appearance. The building showcases features typical of grand English country houses, including large windows, ornate stonework, and spacious interiors, all set within a picturesque parkland estate. The blend of architectural styles reflects its long and evolving history as a residence of distinction.
What Guests Experience
Reported Activity
Sightings of a full-bodied horseman apparition galloping across grounds before plunging into the lake. White Lady apparitions with long black hair appearing at the top of stairs, walking corridors, and manifesting in mirrors. Electrical sensations rising from floors. Distinctive clunking noises moving throughout the house. Heavy thumping sounds with no apparent source. Radios and electronic devices turning on and off independently. Deliberate footsteps in empty rooms. Cold spots and white mist in entrance areas. General eerie sensations and feelings of being watched in older bedrooms.
Most Active Areas
The gardens and lakefront are primary locations for sightings of the phantom horseman, especially around dusk or in foggy conditions. Indoors, the main staircase and upper gallery are hotspots for the White Lady's appearances. The portico and entrance hall have also been sites of reported cold spots and inexplicable white mist late at night. Older bedrooms are noted for general eerie sensations.
Witness Accounts
Several guests have reported seeing a 'woman in a white gown' roaming hallways, initially mistaking her for a fellow guest in costume, only to learn no such person was staying. Staff members corroborate these accounts, with porters recalling a pale figure suddenly appearing near them before disappearing. A newlywed couple once described hearing the sound of a galloping horse outside their suite at midnight and catching a glimpse of a rider from their window, despite no horses being on the property at the time. Paranormal bloggers have consistently recounted these and similar anecdotes from Eastwell Manor.
Paranormal Investigations
Eastwell Manor’s hauntings are mentioned in various Kentish guidebooks and by local ghost tour groups. While it hasn't been featured on major televised paranormal shows like *Most Haunted*, local paranormal societies have conducted discreet, informal investigations. During these, some have reported EMF (electromagnetic field) spikes and orb phenomena near the lake. In a 2014 overnight investigation, one investigator claimed to have made contact with a spirit identifying herself as 'Eleanor', possibly linked to the White Lady. The current owners, Champneys, generally downplay the ghostly legends, focusing on the spa and luxury experience, but guest anecdotes of spooky encounters, especially around Halloween, continue to surface.
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Check Availability & RatesContact Details
Address:
Eastwell Park, Boughton Lees, Ashford, Kent, TN25 4HR, England
Phone: +44 1233 213000
Status: Operating
Special Packages
The hotel may offer occasional Halloween-themed evenings, such as a ghost storytelling dinner. However, there are no year-round ghost-specific packages; the primary focus is on spa and wellness packages.
Accessibility
The manor has partial accessibility. Some ground-floor rooms are available, and ramps are provided in main public areas. However, as a historic building, the original Manor house section does not have elevators (lifts) to upper floors. Newer wings of the hotel offer more modern accessibility features. Guests with specific needs should inquire directly with the hotel prior to booking to ensure their requirements can be met.
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