The Talbot Hotel

A weight pressing a guest firmly down in bed, moving furniture, and a picture that jumps off the wall have been mentioned as occurring here. This latter picture depicts the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, and legend has it that it is her spectre who inhabits these walls, particularly two of the top rooms and the staircase where she walked en route to her execution (it is on the staircase that strong perfume has also been detected). She has been seen at the bottom of the foot of the bed in one of these rooms, wearing a long black dress. She has also been observed looking out of a window but in this case, only by men. Additionally, cold spots, footsteps and a woman singing and crying have been mentioned; this latter incident was reported on the anniversary of Mary's execution and is said to go on for hours on the top floor. In some of the bedrooms, various phenomena have been reported, such as a swirling white mist and a figure in a long black dress. Interestingly, it is said that manifestations occur after alterations have been made to the building.

In late 2025, ghost researcher Karin Beasant adds a new phantom to the inventory; "A man in Tudor period armour has been seen in the Whitwell suite underneath the haunted bedrooms. On a wedding a guest congratulated the Assistant Manager for supplying a staff member dressed up in said costume."

Link: Northants Live.

Website