The Commercial Hotel: Chester’s Coaching Inn with Spectral Guests
The Commercial Hotel, nestled near St. Peter’s Church on Chester’s Northgate Street, began as a 17th-century coaching inn along bustling trade routes. Rebuilt in the Georgian era, its whitewashed walls and timbered charm reflect Chester’s historic allure. Once a rest stop for travelers and merchants, it thrived during the city’s market heyday. Today, it’s a welcoming pub and hotel, but its centuries-old beams creak with Chester ghost stories that hint at lingering guests.
The inn bridged Chester’s medieval past to its Georgian growth, serving ale and shelter by the fire. Its prime spot near the city center soaked up tales of joy and loss—some say not all visitors left. The Commercial Hotel fuses history with a haunted twist, drawing fans of Chester ghost stories to its cozy embrace.
Alleged Ghost Stories
One tale whispers of The Highwayman’s Shade, a 17th-century rogue who hid here post-robbery, betrayed and hanged. His cloaked form skulks near the bar, coins jingling faintly—patrons feel a tug at their pockets as he drifts by. Another story tells of The Coachman’s Bride, a woman who waited in vain for her lover in 1750, dying heartbroken. Her soft sighs waft from upstairs, and a white veil flutters in empty windows. These Chester ghost stories cast The Commercial Hotel as a spectral haven.