For some, the idea of staying in a haunted property would be the stuff of holiday nightmares but for a growing number of ghost hunters it’s a holiday adventure.

 UK travel and tourism specialist iknow-uk, which lists more than 12,000 holiday cottages, hotels, B&Bs and guest houses as well as things to do, places to go and places to eat on its 15 regional websites, has seen a growing number of holidaymakers searching for a break that will leave them scared witless.

 Marcus Simmons, managing director of iknow-uk, said: “The idea that ghosts really could exist is fascinating and we’ve got lots of properties on our websites that would appear to have resident ghosts.

 “Although it’s not for everyone, thanks to TV shows like Most Haunted there’s a growing number of people who are interested in ‘ghost busting’ and having their own encounter with a spooky character.

 “Whether or not you’re a believer, there are plenty of places in the UK where things might just go bump in the night!”

 To help would-be ghost hunters on their way, iknow-uk has put together a list of all the properties on its website where ghostly goings on are the norm…

Ship Inn Pub and Duddon Sands Hostel, Kirkby in Furness

iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk

 Many of the visitors to the Ship Inn and accompanying Duddon Sands Hostel have experienced some spooky sights with reports of inexplicable noises and shadowy figures in the pub bar and items flying off the top of cupboards and work surfaces in the kitchen. 

The Ship Inn ghost is believed to be the spirit of a young girl who lived in the pub with her family from her birth in 1859. Previous owners of the pub have held a séance and made contact with a young girl named Elizabeth S. Kendall who is listed in both the 1871 and 1881 census documents, but then disappears, after reportedly dying at the age of 19 of a pneumonia-like illness.

South Wing, Hunmanby

iknow-yorkshire.co.uk

 South Wing, is a 17th century building that was the one time home of the Mitford family including the famous Mitford sisters. It has had numerous roles over the years and acquired quite a history.

 A growing number of guests have reported seeing ghosts in the house and one even sent the owners a picture of a shadowy suited figure reflected in a mirror over the staircase. The owner’s mother in law also saw this person in her bedroom when she stayed at the house and mentioned him several weeks before this picture was taken.

Stonehouse Apartments, Whitby

iknow-yorkshire.co.uk

 Famously featured in Bram Stoker’s Dracula and a favourite place to visit for those in the gothic culture, Whitby has its fair share of spooky goings on and none more so than the Stonehouse Apartments.

Located above The Stonehouse Emporium, which stocks gothic clothing, books and accessories, the apartments were being renovated when the burly builders refused to work alone in the building in the evenings as they had heard somebody playing the grand piano in the deserted shop below.

Abbey House, Tweed Valley

iknow-scotland.co.uk

Abbey House has great historical significance sitting on the site of the former Coldstream Abbey which is where the wounded from the battle of Flodden Field were brought. 

The house was built from the ruins of the abbey after it was burnt to the ground in 1543 by the Earl of Hereford.   The stone floor in the dining room was lifted about 1890 and a stone coffin was found. Various remains, foundations and Monks mortar have been found and a spectral nun is said to haunt the Nun’s Walk which is a path running along the river at the foot of the garden. The house sleeps eight and is available throughout the year. 

Eventology Bus Tours, Blackpool

iknow-blackpool.co.uk

 For those who are interested in ghost hunting, but feel that staying in a haunted property would be too much for their nerves to take, a new tour in Blackpool has just launched on iknow-northwest.co.uk.

Eventology Blackpool takes would-be ghost busters on an open top bus tour to see some of Blackpool’s most haunted sights and to hear its legends including the tale of an entire lost village that was lost in the waves.

The number of Brits searching for last minute Christmas and New Year breaks has surged in the past two weeks, with Yorkshire and the Lake District proving the most popular destinations with festive holidaymakers.

Low Penhowe bed and breakfast in Yorkshire

iknow-uk, the UK’s leading tourism and accommodation directory, has seen a significant increase in searches for Christmas and New Year holidays over the past two weeks, with over 36 per cent of people favouring Yorkshire as their yuletide holiday of choice.

The Lake District and Lake District accommodation is following closely behind Yorkshire in the festive popularity poll, with just under 20 per cent of people opting to visit the region for their Christmas or New Year get-away.

Marcus Simmons, managing director of iknow-uk, said: “The north is definitely beating the south of the country hands-down in terms of popularity this Christmas, with north-west cities also polling high in the list of places people are looking to spend their holiday season.

“Maybe now that weather men are hinting there could be a white Christmas this year, people are being enticed by the thought of a romantic break away in a cosy country cottage.  Or perhaps the recession has meant that people have been working so hard that they feel they deserve a nice short break away before the New Year.  Whatever the trigger, we’ve definitely seen a significant increase in last-minute Christmas holiday searches across all of our sites compared with other years.”

Scotland and Scotland accommodation has also proved popular in the past two weeks, with almost 10 per cent of visitors searching for breaks north of the border – with a particular focus on Hogmanay holidays.

Founded by Marcus in 2003, iknow-uk now operates 13 regional websites for accommodation providers including hotels, guest houses, holiday cottages and B&Bs.  The sites are visited by almost a million users each month.

Holiday home owners looking to list on one of iknow’s websites, should visit www.iknow-uk.com.

The owners of one of the UK’s most haunted buildings are daring guests to visit them this Halloween, following a series of ghostly goings-on.

Brave holiday-makers are being challenged to visit the Ship Inn Pub and accompanying Duddon Sands Hostel in Kirkby in Furness, after reports of strange sounds and spooky sightings from staff and guests.

Spooky goings on at The Ship Inn and Duddon Sands Hotel

Judith Barton, whose husband Tony owns the pub and hostel said:  “We’ve had a lot of visitors who have heard inexplicable noises or seen strange shadowy figures, especially in our pub bar.  For example, our private lounge is above the main bar of the Ship Inn and, even when there is no-one at home, staff below have heard loud footsteps tracking the full length of the room.

“We’ve also had reports of items flying off the top of cupboards and work surfaces in the kitchen, and many guests have said that they feel strangely cold when they enter the bar area – even on hot days.”

Judith added: “We’ve had lots of different people reporting sightings – even when they are sober!  Several different people have claimed to have seen a small shadowy figure in the men’s toilet, and staff often report seeing unexplained movements out of the corner of their eye.”

The Ship Inn ghost is believed to be the spirit of a young girl who lived in the pub with her family from her birth in 1859.  Judith said: “The previous owners of the property held a séance in the pub to try and establish who could be responsible for the ghostly goings-on.  They said they made contact with a young girl named Elizabeth S. Kendall, and we’ve since looked her up on the local census returns.  She is listed in both the 1871 and 1881 census documents, but then disappears, after reportedly dying at the age of 19 of a pneumonia-like illness.

“We think Halloween is a perfect time for people to come along and visit us, and we’re encouraging them to let us know if they see or hear anything unusual.  We’re hoping Elizabeth will make another appearance, and that we can maybe find out more about her life and why she’s here in the building.”

The Ship Inn and Duddon Sands Hotel has had sightings of 'ghost like' figures

The Ship Inn pub and Duddon Sands Hostel are listed on tourism and accommodation website www.iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk, which offers UK holidaymakers a wide choice of accommodation options across this popular tourist region.

Marcus Simmons, managing director of www.iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk, says that spooky stories such as the one at the Ship Inn can prove intriguing for many visitors: “We’re finding that many people are interested in visiting these ghostly guest houses and pubs, as a way of spicing up their weekend away.  Sometimes people like to push themselves out of their comfort zone, and a Halloween trip to a haunted house can certainly add a bit of excitement!

“Despite the recession we are seeing a definite increase in the number of people visiting UK destinations such as the Lake District, and with or without these spooky stories, we’re sure this will continue into the New Year.  We’re definitely hoping that this interest in domestic tourism will continue, and Brits will keep on investigating the unrivalled holiday destinations that are right here in the UK.”

Founded by Marcus in 2003, iknow-uk now operates 12 regional websites for accommodation providers including hotels, guest houses, holiday cottages and B&Bs.  The sites are visited by almost a million users each month.

For holiday home owners looking to list on one of iknow’s websites, which cover popular tourist regions across the UK should visit www.iknow-uk.com.

Neil and Nicola Worthington own one of the most easily recognisable houses in Britain – Nora Batty’s Cottage as featured in the longest-running sitcom in the world, Last of the Summer Wine.

Nora Batty

The Worthingtons bought the house in West Yorkshire four years ago, and converted the property into a Homfirth holiday cottage for let to the public.

After spending months trawling around local furniture auctions and car boot sales, the Worthingtons managed to transform the cottage into what is now known as The Nora Batty Experience.

Guests staying at the cottage enjoy accommodation packed full of original props and memorabilia from the series as well as more than 800 photographs of cast and crew taken over the 36 years that the series has been running.

As the cottage remains a live film set, guest can also watch filming taking place outside of the cottage and around Holmfirth, as well as being able to meet members of the cast and crew.

Neil Worthington (40) and his wife Nicola (38) bought the row of cottages in Holmfirth in 2005 as they were keen to move into the holiday accommodation market and were big fans of the series.

Neil said: “Last of the Summer Wine has been running for 30 series with another commissioned for 2010. Fans all over the world love the opportunity to visit Holmfirth, stay at the cottage and become part of the whole Last of the Summer Wine experience.

“When we first bought the cottage, choosing the right furnishings was vital and the BBC has been really helpful in donating lots of props used over the years on the show to help us achieve an authentic look.

“At the end of the day, we are accommodating the show’s most enthusiastic and eager fans, so it’s important that they feel they are getting the most realistic experience we can provide, in surroundings that we think Nora herself would have approved of.”

Nora and Compo doing what they did best!

Kathy Staff, who played the character of Nora Batty until shortly before her death in 2008, joined the show during its first series in 1973, leaving for a short time in 2001, but then rejoining the cast in 2002.

In the new series, being filmed at the moment and set to be aired next year, the character of Nora’s sister Stella played by Barbara Young lives in the cottage which is still a central focal point of the show.

The Nora Batty Experience is the only location in England where you are can stay in an active film set, and Neil and Nicola still get a real buzz from owning such a unique property.

Neil continues: “It’s not unusual for us to have more than 100 tourists a day taking photos of the house from the main street, especially during our peak season in summer.

“We’re very proud to own what is such a unique property celebrating the longest-running comedy programme in Britain, in such a beautiful location too.”

The Nora Batty Experience is listed on tourism and Yorkshire accommodation website iknow-yorkshire, offering UK holidaymakers a wide choice of accommodation options across this popular tourist region.

Marcus Simmons, managing director at www.iknow-yorkshire.co.uk, says that the Nora Batty Experience is one of the most popular properties listed on the site.

He said: “What Neil and Nicola have achieved with the cottage is fantastic and their hard work and attention to detail has clearly paid off, as they attract visitors from all over the world.

“Yorkshire as a region is one of our best performing sites and traffic to www.iknow-yorkshire.co.uk has increased by 12.5 per cent this summer compared to last year.”

For holiday home owners looking to list on one of iknow’s website, which cover popular tourist regions across the UK, a month’s free trial is currently available.

For more information, visit www.iknow-uk.com.

This summer more than 60 percent of Brits are shunning foreign breaks in favour of holidaying at home and research has found that more people than ever before are taking their own mini tours of the UK.

The current travel trend in the UK is Britpacking

Research, carried out by tourism and hospitality website iknow-uk, revealed that more than half of the population, 52 percent, will take more than one UK break or split their holiday between different UK destinations this year.

More than three quarters said they would be taking less foreign breaks this year and 65 percent said the recession had encouraged them to visit more tourism attractions in the UK this year.

iknow-uk.com claims bookings for hotels, B&Bs, self catering apartments and holiday parks are up 35 percent on last year.

Marcus Simmons, iknow-uk’s managing director, said: “Britpacking is a new and emerging trend.  We’ve seen the ‘staycation’ hit the UK this year as more people opt for UK breaks.

See the family itineraries on the Britpacking site

“This trend has seen Brits fall back in love with the UK and realise what it has to offer and we are now seeing more people doing their own tours of the country during their summer breaks or taking multiple short breaks in different regions.”

Tourism attractions across the UK have also seen a rise in visitors.  Since the beginning of July, visitor numbers to National Trust properties have risen by 50 per cent compared to the same period last year, supporting the growing rise of the explorer Britpacker.

Marcus added: “The feedback we’ve received from customers indicates that people are really enjoying the opportunity to explore places in the UK they were never aware of before, even if they are travelling on a budget.

“With an increase in the number of self catering opportunities available it’s never been easier to go on a spontaneous UK break. To help people along we’ve launched a website www.britpacking.co.uk to help people map out their Britpacking adventures.”

Founded by Marcus in 2003 with the iknow-yorkshire website, iknow-uk now operates 12 regional websites for accommodation and hospitality providers including hotels, guest houses, holiday cottages and B&Bs.

iknow-uk’s websites cover the UK’s most popular tourist regions and are visited by almost a million users each month.

For more information, visit www.britpacking.co.uk