Perched on the rugged terrain of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, this hotel is renowned for its chilling tales and rich history, tracing back to the 1750s.

As we find ourselves in the midst of the spooky season, there’s nothing quite as terrifying as spending a night in a hotel reputed to be one of the most haunted in the UK. The Jamaica Inn, an old coaching inn with a dark past believed to involve smuggling and paranormal occurrences, has become infamous.

Originally built in 1750 as a coaching stop, the hotel now serves as a pub, restaurant and hotel, with a dedicated area for learning about the alleged ghostly encounters. The Grade II-listed building exudes charm – and spine-chilling stories – with its traditional oak beams and cosy rooms.

However, before it became a popular spot for food and overnight stays, it was a notorious hub for the Cornwall smuggling trade. Its isolated location on the moors made it a prime spot for smugglers transporting goods like tea, brandy and silks from the sea, hidden beneath the floors and panels.

The isolation of the Jamaica Inn was its greatest asset during those times, often frequented by shadowy figures under dimly lit lanterns. Despite its modern touches, it was creepy enough to inspire English author Daphne du Maurier to base her entire murder mystery novel on her stay there in 1936, reports Cornwall Live.

Taking its name from the precise spot where it stands, Jamaica Inn became a runaway success with readers and was subsequently transformed into a film helmed by Alfred Hitchcock.

It marked the final British picture he would direct before departing for Hollywood, where he would cement his reputation as one of cinema’s most celebrated figures, accumulating up to six Oscar victories.

Thus, despite its shadowy and occasionally unlawful past, the inn was preserved for eternity in du Maurier’s fictional masterpiece, as she found herself captivated by the brooding heritage and spectres of the establishment and its bleak landscape.

Fast forward to the 20th century, and the Jamaica Inn has evolved into something of a regional icon, where weary travellers pause to discover its enduring legacy.

One delighted guest posted on TripAdvisor: “Had a thoroughly enjoyable two-night stay. The views from the inn were amazing onto the moor. The atmosphere was as expected from an old smugglers’ inn, full of mystery and intrigue!”.

Another visitor, eager to encounter a phantom or sense the presence of the smugglers who once trod these very boards, recounted their spine-tingling encounter.

They wrote: “We had done some research before arriving and saw that some rooms in the new, and many rooms in the original, areas have had activity from the paranormal…”

They recounted tales of their terrifying night’s sleep – or lack thereof. “Within a few minutes I was in the bathroom getting ready for a shower and heard a very loud male whistle from inside the room (corner nearest the bedroom). When asking my partner if she had whistled and getting a response of ‘absolutely NO’ I suddenly felt on edge.”

It’s no secret that while the hotel has morphed into a modern-day cosy pub and inn frequented by travellers, its chilling history is renowned for a reason. While many other visitors claim to have never had experiences of the sort, others can’t help but let their imaginations run wild.