Walworth Castle Hotel

Recently I had cause to visit this gem, nestled in the countryside on the outskirts of Darlington.
Despite living nearby for many years, I had never visited before and as I drove up the driveway to the castle I was blown away by the wonderful sight ahead of me.
Before that day, I had no idea that such an historic castle was sitting on my doorstep. I had heard of it but never had cause to visit, nor did I know that this majestic Grade 1 listed building dates back to the mid 1100s and has such an interesting history.
It has changed hands several times but originally belonged to the Hansard family. In its time, it has played host to a king and was used as a detention centre for prisoners of war, including during WWll.
It is also said to be the home of several ghosts.
During my visit, discussion at my table turned to my book (a guest had purchased it) and this led naturally enough to the possibility of ghosts at the castle.
It was during a trip to the bar that I was fortunate enough to hear about a staff member’s personal experience. Daniel, the young bartender told me that the lid of a coffee container flew off and across the bar., narrowly missing his head. There was no reasonable explanation for it and it hadn’t happened before or since. He also told me that one Christmas recently, when the hotel was closed to visitors, one member of staff was staying alone in the castle and reported hearing footsteps at certain points in the hotel.
Later, when the guests were leaving, Ashley, the lovely head waitress offered to give me a private tour of some of the areas reputedly said to be the most haunted.
We began in the Earl’s room. It is a small library, circular with a beautiful domed ceiling and book shelves full of old books. As I stepped through the door, the chill hit me noticeably. Ashley explained that the room is always cold, no matter the time of year.
Next, she took me down to the dungeons. These were not open to the public for many years but the current owner decided to host a Halloween event, inviting ghost hunters amongst others. These told of the presence of a small girl, amongst others in the dark recesses of the cold, damp dungeons.
It was here that during the Peasants Revolt, Wat Tyler was held and an escape tunnel was dug out into the surrounding fields. The entrance to this tunnel can still be seen today, safely locked behind an iron grille.
Here too, high ranking German prisoners of war were held during the Second World War. It is a grim place and one can only imagine the suffering of those held there in the cold, damp dark, no windows to shed any sunlight bringing some much longed for warmth.
Ashley then led me up a winding staircase, explaining that there is the story of a young maid who was impregnated by the Lord and was bricked up behind a wall on the staircase. Her ghost is said to have been seen stepping out of the wall on the stairway.
Guests at the hotel have reported their teacups rattling, while chambermaids report having their hair pulled.
A young woman has been seen sitting in an armchair and a young woman, perhaps the same one has been seen walking the corridor towards what was once the bridal suite.
Some guests have reported an invisible weight sitting on their beds, while others have heard crying from behind the wall where the pregnant maid is said to have been bricked up.
Ashley took me into the current bridal suite, a magnificent set of rooms in which James l stayed on his journey from Scotland to London for his coronation.
All in all, this lovely castle hotel has quite a history and a host of ghostly residents. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to see some of this wonderful castle and hear first hand some of its stories.
I’d like to thank Ashley and Daniel for sharing their stories with me.

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