Hopcroft’s Holt HotelNr Steeple Aston, Banbury, Oxfordshire
One of Oxfordshire’s most haunted hotels is 'The Holt'.
Originally a coaching inn back in the 15th century, a regular visitor, Claude Duval, a highwayman is often reported walking the corridors within the building. Claude was born in Normandy and visited Britain as a footman to the Duke of Richmond. Arriving in the country, Duval quickly became the leader of a notorious gang of highwaymen. He obtained popularity with the females - many that knew him appealed against his hanging. It is said that the notorious highwayman murdered Spurrier (the landlord - of the hotel), who was later found unconscious at the bottom of the stairwell and his wife, who was also discovered dead in a chair below a fireplace.
Claude frequently visited the hotel - bedding the landlord’s daughter and constantly keeping away from the authorities who were forever searching for him.
Guests have often heard heavy footsteps walk the corridors and rooms of the hotel. Female guests in particular have regularly reported the feeling of being watched, mainly in room 3. In the 1970s, the landlord’s wife was awoken by a figure standing over her. Calling out to her husband, she turned the light on and noticed her husband was beside her in the bed - she began to question who or what the figure was.
Another time, the landlord and his staff had heard voices coming from the attic. The landlord took his companion - his dog - and cautiously entered the attic only to find nothing there. However, he soon became un-nerved when his dog began barking and growling whilst looking in one direction, unwilling to move.
In 1977, a guest felt petrified when his bed began vibrating fiercely late in the night.
To this day, The Hopcroft’s Holt Hotel continues the theme of Claude with reference to his existence with drawings on menus and signs in and around the property.
The building was renovated in 2001 holding 86 rooms within its three-floor premises. The hotel lies just outside of Steeple Aston - a village situated just 9 miles from the historic market town of Banbury - and is nearby to many local attractions including Oxford, Blenheim Palace and the Bicester Designer Outlet.