I used to work in the Dinorben pub in Bodfari, near Denbigh - a 16th century Inn - some years ago and had a very strange experince that has stayed with me since then.
I was the last to leave the upstairs restaurant late one Friday evening. There were three ways to get into the main restaurant; the customer way (locked) the bar (locked) and the staff stairway that went between the restaurant's two kitchens.
I ventured down the stairs and began to sign out, and for some unknown reason I looked up to the top of the stairs and watched as a lady wearing a long black dress and shoulder length dark hair walked from the kitchen into the restaurant.
I walked into the downstairs kitchen explaining that I had spent time clearing up and there was someone messing around upstairs. I then realised I was one of four people left in the whole pub and the only way to get upstairs was to go past me and straight up - this did not happen, believe me.
None of the other staff were wearing anything similar to the person I saw. I was shocked to be told this often happened and that she had been around for years - customers and staff had often seen this lady. Apparently, it often happened upstairs.
You would also have an intense feeling of being watched, most of the staff commented on seeing things out of the corner of their eye, and turning round to see no-one. A few other things happened to me while I worked there but I will save that for another time. 
your comments
Pat
I worked at the Bull Hotel, Denbigh, for 3 years. The hotel was haunted room 8, room 12, the ladies' toilets. I came out of the cupboard with clean sheets, walked straight into black mass shiny buttons & 3 corned hat. I went white and could not speak for shock. The hotel is closed now, it's a shame.
Mon Mar 17 10:12:49 2008
Randolph, Germany
Why all of this talk about investigations? These seemingly nice individuals(?) have done nothing illegal or insulting. They seem to appreciate their peace and quiet. My mother was a Hughes with roots in Wales, and my only ghost story is 30 years old. I'm starting to plan my next vacation -guess where?
Tue Jan 29 08:35:40 2008
Howard
Hi, I run a paranormal group called Spirit Quest UK and we will be holding an investigation at the Dinorben Arms on Thursday 23rd August 2007. If anyone would like to join us on this investigation just visit our website and email us from there. Not allowed to post our website address here but a google search will find us. Some of the proceeds will be going to charity. It will be a fascinating night.
Fri Jul 20 11:05:51 2007
sj jones
I worked at the Dinorben for a while. I Remember several very strange experiences i had. One night me and my brother were there till late and i was downstairs on my way up the stairs and my brother was on his way down to meet me, we both heard the most unearthly noise from outside, not an animal, not human, still no ides what it was.............but we left very quickly. Another strange phenomina at the Dinorben was the beast in the bar they used to call Snodgrass.......now thats scary.
Fri Jan 26 11:08:43 2007
Dave Skinner, Bodfari.
I've drank in the Dinorben for past 7 years or so, and unfortunately never seen anything. I will however be looking out from now on!!
Tue Jan 9 08:27:53 2007
Adam from Leeds
I visited the Dinorben Arms at the weekend,
very nice pub. I had the steak which was lovely. Didn't see any ghosts but Peter, Ray, Winston and Egon were there playing pool and they said all was OK! Who you gonna call?
GHOSTBUSTERS!
Mon Jan 8 13:05:31 2007
Sophie and Emily
We are twin sisters and we go to a school that we believe to be haunted. Emily was sitting up against a wall in a classroom when sombody tapped her on the shoulder but obviously nobody was there. We have also seen a man with keys in the school holidays and when we looked back he was gone.
Fri Nov 17 10:43:40 2006
Sarah from Wrexham
Robin, Mr Healey, Mike (Bickley), Si - if you don't believe, why on earth were you looking on this site in the first place! Sounds to me like you perhaps do but don't want to admit it...
Tue Nov 7 09:48:43 2006
Barbara Davies ex Carmel
I lived in Carmel until I was 26 and as children we often played around the Monestry and Convent at Pantasaph and also the white quarries. During the summer holidays there could often be around 15 or more of us in the white quarries at Pantasaph and we would happily expore and climb the quarry, look in the 'caves' and play hide and seek. But every time we would all suddenly become uneasy and decide to go home. We always felt as if someone was watching us and the feeling of unease was so strong that even to this day (am now 39!) I can recall it. My mum used to play there as a young girl and she recalls that it was always a very eerie place. My older brother and a friend camped out at the quarries one night and something frightened them so much they packed up and came home - they were 18 or so at the time and very seasoned outdoor explorers! When questioned he can't put his finger on what spooked them but it made a 6'3'' bloke run. And then of course there is the Convent and Monestry. Anyone have any interesting stories about them? The Convent has recently been converted into flats by Dave McClean.
Thu Aug 10 12:24:40 2006
Steph McCarthy from Denbigh
I also used to work at the dinorben and had many a spooky experiance there. On a number of occasions things were moved, voices heard etc when there was no one there. There is also a constant feeling of being followed
Tue May 30 07:27:06 2006
Matthew from Sydney, Aust.
I remember staying here when I was about 8 and I thought I saw something that I didn't react straight away to. I was walking along the hallway to go downstairs and saw an image of a man heading up the stairs and past me. I think I thought it was just another guest, but a few years later when a friend mentioned that there were stories of strange sightings there, I then started to realise that I may have seen someone who wasn't a guest. I don't remember feeling scared at all, but it gives me the creeps a bit now.
Mon Feb 13 00:54:45 2006
mike {bickley}
imagination taking over
Wed Jan 4 22:33:46 2006
Emma from Newcastle
This sounds spooky but u need evidence of this and I think half the people on here make this up.
Mon Oct 31 17:46:58 2005
Mike, Wrexham
Yes there has been a book written about this haunting, it's called vertical plain I think.
Fri Jul 15 14:06:20 2005
GILL HOPWOOD
I lived at the DINORBEN ARMS since a child. My father was the proud owner of it for 36 years. It is only inhabited by two people from the past who were both very friendly and only showed themselves in one particular part of the pub.
Sat Apr 30 04:44:19 2005
Dawn - Bodfari
I live in Bodfari and was in the Dinorben last sunday watching the rugby! Next time I go I'll be keeping a look out for this lady...especially if I'm upstairs!
Thu Mar 17 15:06:31 2005
Chloe from Wrexham
Derek from Most Haunted WILL sort those ghosts out
Sun Mar 6 12:32:09 2005
Nanette, Bagillt.
The story is spooky but for sceptics to believe this story you need a lot more proof eg more pics. Get Most Haunted there, Derek will sort them spirits out!
Mon Feb 7 18:28:39 2005
Ross from Tremeirchion
Once again, some more evidence that supports the Clwydian Vale paranormal activity... I am still waiting to see for myself...
Wed Nov 17 15:40:31 2004
Maddy, Wrexham
I would just like to thank whoever has done the maps for the ghost and the ones for Wrexham. They are fantastic and make wanting to look into them very interesting. It is an excellant idea. Thank you.
Tue Oct 19 14:16:57 2004
Gareth, Denbigh
I used to work in the Dinorben and although I've never seen anything myself I know a lot of people have, and I never liked being there late on my own. I would never go to the downstairs restaraunt's furthest room on my own, it's too eerie. Ghosts that are there are a Roman soldier on the old staircase, an old 'friendly' lady and a little boy. I believe a medium used to work there (left just before I started) and she used to 'watch' the lady sitting at the table and get up to leave as customers came in, then return as the pub went quiet again!
Wed Jun 30 12:34:46 2004
We're no longer accepting comments on this page but we're still interested in your ghost stories about NE Wales
