England’s Most Haunted House

For over 80 years, Borley Rectory in Essex was plagued by paranormal activity. The Victorian building became famous through Harry Price’s investigations, and even its destruction by fire didn’t end the story.

The Building

Borley Rectory:

• Built 1862-1863
• Victorian Gothic
• Remote location
• Essex countryside
• Imposing structure

The Legend

Prior history:

• Medieval monastery site
• Nun and monk legend
• Forbidden romance
• Execution story
• Ancient haunting

The Phenomena

Reported activity:

• Phantom footsteps
• Bells ringing
• Objects moving
• Ghostly nun
• Mysterious lights

The Nun

Most famous apparition:

• Seen in garden
• Gliding figure
• Habit and veil
• Multiple witnesses
• Decades of sightings

The Bull Family

Early residents:

• Reverend Henry Bull
• Built rectory
• Family experienced phenomena
• Multiple generations
• Documented events

The Foysters

1930-1935:

• Reverend Lionel Foyster
• Wife Marianne
• Intense activity
• Wall writings
• Poltergeist peak

The Wall Writings

Mysterious messages:

• Appeared spontaneously
• Addressed to Marianne
• Childlike script
• Pleading tone
• Photographed

Harry Price

Famous investigator:

• Investigated 1929-1938
• Rented rectory
• Team of observers
• Documented everything
• Published findings

The Seances

Price conducted:

• Multiple sessions
• Entity named “Marie Lairre”
• Murdered nun story
• Bones prediction
• Later found?

The Fire

February 1939:

• Rectory burned
• During residence
• Mysterious cause
• Predicted by entity
• Building destroyed

The Excavation

After fire:

• Bones found
• In cellar
• Human remains
• Nun victim?
• Controversy

Skeptical Views

Critics argue:

• Price manipulated
• Some fraud possible
• Natural explanations
• Exaggerated
• Debate continues

Significance

Decades of documented paranormal activity made this the template for haunted house investigations.

Legacy

Borley Rectory, even in ruin, remains synonymous with English hauntings—a case that shaped modern ghost hunting.