Bosworth Hall in Leicestershire is haunted by a tragic love story, one that is gruesome, gory, and horrifying
Some ghosts never leave because they don’t know they’re dead. Others stay because they know all too well.
Bosworth Hall, a stately mansion in Leicestershire, may be beautiful on the outside, but behind its grand façade lies a chilling legacy of betrayal, blood, and a daughter’s dying cry for help.
The ghost of Ann Dixie, now known as the Grey Lady, is said to roam its corridors, bound by the brutal trap that ended her life.
Dark History of Bosworth Hall
Bosworth Hall, located near Market Bosworth in the village of Husbands Bosworth, dates back to the 17th century.
It is a Grade II listed mansion, built in the Jacobean style and later expanded by various generations of its wealthy owners. Once home to the powerful Dixie family, the hall served as a symbol of aristocratic influence in the region.
Sir Wolstan Dixie, one of the most notorious heads of the household, held the title of Lord Mayor of London before retiring to Bosworth.
Known for his authoritarian rule and eccentric behaviour, he ran his estate with an iron fist. The house passed through several hands over the centuries, eventually becoming the Bosworth Hall Hotel & Spa, a luxury destination that masks its darker past behind polished chandeliers and manicured gardens.
But beneath the charm, the house has never quite escaped its most tragic tale.
Hauntings of Bosworth Hall
Ann Dixie, the daughter of Sir Wolstan, fell in love with someone far below her social station—a gardener employed on the estate.
When her father discovered the affair, his rage knew no limits. Rather than dismiss the man or send his daughter away, Sir Wolstan devised a cruel and calculated plan.
He set mantraps in the grounds, hoping to maim or kill the lover. But fate turned on him.
One night, as Ann went to meet her forbidden partner under cover of darkness, she triggered one of the traps. Her leg was caught in its vicious metal teeth. No one came to her aid. She bled to death in agony, alone in the woods surrounding the estate. Her death was hushed up by the family, but whispers of the horror spread, becoming local legend.
It is said that Ann never found peace. Visitors to Bosworth Hall report seeing a pale grey figure drifting through hallways and gliding past doorways.
Some say she pauses near the windows that overlook the gardens—searching, perhaps, for the man she died to love.
But Ann is not the only spirit said to linger here.
A phantom servant has been seen in the Bow Room, tidying up tasks left undone centuries ago. Guests speak of cold spots, disembodied footsteps, and flickering lights with no cause.
One tale tells of a bloodstain, soaked into the wood and impossible to remove, marking the place where Ann’s fate was sealed. No amount of cleaning has ever erased it.
Even in daylight, staff at the hotel speak cautiously about certain parts of the building. Some refuse to enter rooms alone. Others won’t talk at all.
Visiting Bosworth Hall Hotel & Spa
Bosworth Hall is located at Husbands Bosworth, Market Bosworth, CV13 0LP
It was part of the Dixie family for nearly 300 years, before being sold in the 1880s due to gambling debts and later to Britannia Hotels.
It is now a functioning hotel and spa, open to the public. You can stay overnight in one of its elegant rooms, dine in its restaurant, and stroll the grounds where the tragedy unfolded.
Paranormal investigation groups occasionally host events there, with guests encouraged to explore the hall’s haunted history after dark.
