Medieval scholar M.R. James first told his haunting stories to a group of undergraduates and dons at King’s College, Cambridge, at the turn of the last century.
He started a Christmas tradition for spooky stories that’s continued ever since.
And now it’s your turn to experience the atmosphere of staying in an ancient Oxford or Cambridge college this December.
Why is it that Christmas time and creepy ghost stories go hand in hand? M.R. James’ ghost stories, many of which were first told at Christmas gatherings at King’s College, Cambridge, have now become a staple of an English Christmas.
From Mark Gatiss’ eerie modern adaptations to Robert Powell’s classic BBC readings, James’ haunting tales have become as much a part of Christmas as stockings and mince pies. Now it’s possible to soak up the ancient and occasionally eerie atmosphere with a stay at an Oxford or Cambridge college this December, says a leading travel expert.
Lily Smith, from the specialist accommodation finder UniversityRooms.com, said: “Think Christmas and candlelit ancient buildings spring to mind. That’s partly because of the wonderful sound and spectacle of Carols from King’s. It’s must-see Christmas Eve viewing and not to be missed if you are staying in Cambridge.
“However, there is also a more chilling reason an ancient university town may leap to mind. Christmas has become synonymous with cosy ghost stories. Thanks to M.R. James, the famous former Provost of King’s College, Cambridge (pictured) some of the spookiest have been set in an atmospheric old college.
“At the turn of the last century, James would light a single candle and tell his haunting ghost stories to groups of undergraduates and dons every Christmas. Many of these were published in James’ first collection, “Ghost Stories of an Antiquary,” in 1904 and they have been an essential part of Christmas ever since.”
Several of Gatiss’ most famous and scary stories, such as “Oh Whistle and I’ll Come to You, My Lad,” and “The Mezzotint”, are about eerie events befalling hapless professors.
Many people will have seen Mark Gatiss’ spooktacular Christmas Eve 2021 BBC adaptation of “The Mezzotint”. The curator of a university art museum (probably based on Oxford University) is scared witless when an old engraving of a country house changes every night to show a vengeful figure returning from the grave.
If you have been hooked by the atmosphere of these unsettling stories, it’s now possible to stay at a number of Cambridge and Oxford colleges this December.
The good news is you don’t have to be a student to stay in them and many are considerably cheaper – with rooms from as little as £50 a night – than staying in a hotel in these ancient cities.
