The Dolphin
The Dolphin Hotel in Southampton, England, dates back to the 15th century and has a rich history of reported paranormal activity. Originally built as a coaching inn, the building has served as a courthouse, a prison, and a place of public execution over the centuries. Many guests and staff have reported encountering the ghost of a young woman in a white dress, believed to be Molly, a maid who worked at the hotel in the 18th century. According to local legend, Molly was tragically murdered by a jealous lover, and her spirit is said to roam the corridors, particularly on the first floor.
Another frequently reported apparition is that of a male figure dressed in Tudor-style clothing, often seen in the hotel’s cellar. Witnesses have described feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness and despair when encountering this entity. Some speculate that he may be connected to the building’s history as a courthouse and place of execution.
Staff members have reported objects moving on their own, especially in the kitchen area, where pots and pans have been known to inexplicably fall from shelves. Guests have also reported hearing disembodied footsteps and whispers in empty rooms and corridors. In the hotel’s former courtroom, now used as a function room, people have reported feeling sudden temperature drops and experiencing an oppressive atmosphere.
One of the most chilling accounts involves a guest who claimed to have seen a ghostly gibbet outside their window, complete with a swinging body, reminiscent of the hotel’s dark history as a place of execution.