A few weeks ago, Lay Your Head Here’s sister site, My Several Worlds, featured a Halloween article on spooky travel destinations around the world. This week, we are adding to the fun by featuring an accompanying article based on some of the world’s most haunted accommodations. Do you have what it takes to spend the night in one of these scary places?
1. San-Zhi Pod Village, Taiwan
This abandoned luxury vacation development on Taiwan’s northeastern coastline is known as one of the most haunted destinations on the island. There are several stories surrounding its abandonment, the most popular being a series of mysterious accidents that forced all further construction to a complete halt. The area was demolished towards the end of summer 2009, but that hasn’t stopped locals and tourists alike from visiting the haunted grounds.
2. The Walnut Tree Inn, Kent, England
The Walnut Tree Inn was once home to a gang of murderous smugglers. One night, during a rowdy game of poker, two members of the game became embroiled in a dispute that ended in bloodshed. Since then, visitors to the inn have reported hearing ghostly footsteps and horrible screams in the night.
3. Glamis Castle, Scotland
Glamis Castle of Angus, Scotland, has a long history of scaring the pants off guests and visitors. The castle is said to be haunted by both the Grey Lady, who frequents the castle’s chapel, and the White Lady, a woman thought to be burned at the stake on charges of witchcraft and conspiracy. Other ghostly tales involve the Monster of Glamis. The person behind this story, Thomas Bowes-Lyon, would have been a Lord of Glamis. According to legend, he died on the day he was born. Another story disputes his death and instead claims that Bowes-Lyon was born with severe deformities. It is said that he lived out the rest of his days in a secret chamber within the castle and his spirit has haunted the castle ever since.
4. Berry Pomeroy Castle, England
The 13th century castle of Berry Pomeroy is said to be the home of a White Lady, the spirit of a woman by the name of Margaret Pomeroy, who was imprisoned in the castle dungeons by her own sister. Her anguished ghost is said to haunt the bowels of the castle dungeons. Occasionally, her spectral figure appears on the castle ramparts.
5. The Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana, United States
The Myrtles Plantation was built in 1796 and is known today as one of America’s scariest B&Bs. According to legend, the plantation is cursed for being built on ancient Indian burial ground. Up to twelve murders allegedly occured on the grounds of this spooky plantation.
6. Akasaka Mansion, Tokyo, Japan
This haunted mansion in Tokyo is full of paranormal activity, such as sudden changes in room temperature and ghostly apparitions appearing in the bedrooms. A night spent here is bound to be a spine-tingling evening of haunted fun.
7. Babenhausen Barracks, Germany.
The ghosts of German soldiers from WWII are said to haunt the Babenhausen Barracks in Germany, which have since been turned into a museum. Visitors here have reported hearing ghostly voices and marching footsteps.
8. Monte Cristo, Australia
The Monte Cristo Mansion in Junee, New South Wales, is said to be Australia’s most haunted destination. According to legend, the owner of the house, Mrs. Crawley, lost her mind after her husband’s death. She spent the remainder of her life in her home, emerging only twice in 23 years. When she passed away, her ghost remained to keep watch over the house. Visitors to the mansion have reported seeing floating apparitions, strange voices, and lights going on and off with explanation.
9. Waverly Inn Sanatorium Boutique Hotel, Louisville, United States
The Waverly Hills Sanatorium was once a former hospital for patients suffering from tuberculosis. It is estimated that 63,000 patients died here, and not just from the ravages of disease. Reports of patients being mistreated and questionable experiments also contribute to the sanatorium’s creepy history. The abandoned building has been the site of several paranormal camp-outs and has also been featured on the Sci-Fi Channel. It is set to open in 2010 as a first-class hotel and spa.
Torture rack in dungeons. Image source.
10. Chillingham Castle, Northumberland, Northern England
Several years ago, the bones of a young boy were discovered along with pieces of blue cloth in the walls of a passageway. Since then, visitors to Britain’s most haunted castle have reported seeing a young boy dressed in blue clothing appear in the halls and passages and hearing haunting cries in the night.
