Hopcroft Holt Hotel, Steeple Aston
The Hopcroft Holt Hotel began life as a coaching inn in the fifteenth century. So many people, both good and bad have crossed its threashold, including as legend has it, various infamous highwaymen. Are you ready to discover the secrets of this paranormal gem tucked away in the Oxfordshire countryside?
History
The property began life as a coaching inn in 1475 and its use has remained consistent until the presense day. It has seen many face lifts and refurbishments, the most recent having finished in 2001 turning the property in to an 86 bedroom hotel.
The most notorious customer of the coaching inn was said to be Claude Duvall the infamous highwayman who was born in Normandy, and visited Britain to become the footman of the Duke of Richmond. Shortly after he found himself the leader of one of the most famous bands of highwayman roaming the southwest at that time.
Cladue Duvall's link to the coaching inn was said to be so entrenched that it lead him to kill both the landlord and his wife. The landlord was found at the bottom of the stairs, while his wife was found in a chair by the fireplace. It was this crime that lead to Duvalls hanging, although it is said that despite his crimes, Duvall was so popular that many appealed against his sentence.
Paranormal Activity
There have been reports of paranormal activity at the Hopcroft Holt Hotel. These include:
* The sounds of loud footsteps in the rooms and corridors of the hotel.
* Feelings of being watched, particularly in the case of women.
* Unexplained voices from the attic area.