The Dark Truth About Borley Rectory: England's Most Haunted House Revealed

Borley Rectory - England's 'Most Haunted House' where 200+ documented ghost sightings still terrify visitors. This crumbling ruin was home to a murdered nun, phantom coaches, and violent poltergeists that even the BBC couldn't explain!

The most haunted house in England stood for just 76 years, yet its reputation has endured for nearly a century. Borley Rectory, dubbed by psychic researcher Harry Price as "the most haunted house in England," became a national sensation when the Daily Mirror published accounts of its paranormal activity in 1929. Although the imposing 32-room mansion was built in 1862, reports of strange occurrences began almost immediately, with the first events noted around 1863. We find this haunted rectory particularly fascinating because of the sheer volume of reported phenomena—from mysterious footsteps to unexplained bell-ringing and even writing appearing on walls.

Despite being demolished in 1944 following a devastating fire in 1939, Borley Rectory continues to captivate paranormal enthusiasts worldwide. The Reverend Guy Eric Smith and his wife reported finding a young woman's skull in a cupboard, which they believed triggered supernatural events. Furthermore, Harry Price's extensive investigation involved 48 "official observers" documenting strange occurrences during his 1937 stay. In this article, we'll explore the dark history of Borley Rectory, examine the most compelling evidence of hauntings, and uncover what made this Essex mansion earn its title as the most haunted house in England.

The Origins of Borley Rectory

Nestled on the Essex-Suffolk border, Borley Rectory emerged from the imagination of Reverend Henry Dawson Ellis Bull in 1862. The stately residence replaced an earlier rectory that had been destroyed by fire in 1841. As the newly appointed parish rector, Bull designed the home to accommodate his extraordinarily large family, eventually adding an extra wing to house his fourteen children.

Built in 1862 by Reverend Henry Bull

Reverend Bull moved into the impressive structure a year after being named rector of the parish. The property remained in the Bull family's possession for decades, with Henry Bull occupying it until his death in the blue room of the rectory in 1892. Subsequently, his son Harry took over both the clerical duties and residence until his own passing in 1927.

After Harry's death, the rectory's growing reputation for supernatural activity caused dozens of clergymen to refuse the position, leaving the house empty for several months until Reverend Smith and his family finally accepted the call in 1928.

Location and architectural style

The imposing rectory stood on Hall Road in the village of Borley, a tiny rural community in Essex comprising three hamlets that, according to recent census data, housed merely 110 inhabitants. Situated near Borley Church, the building was constructed in a distinctly Gothic Victorian style.

Built with heavy stone, wood, and brick, the rectory featured 23 rooms and possessed a distinctive pointed east frontage alongside a cramped internal courtyard. In an era before modern conveniences, the home initially lacked both electricity and plumbing—the occasional clanking sounds came only from the water pump.

Early rumors and the legend of the nun

The reverend’s wife & his grown-up daughters, some of whom allegedly witnessed the ghost of a nun

The rectory hadn't even been occupied for a full year before the first paranormal occurrences were reported. In 1863, locals began to hear unexplained footsteps within the house. Moreover, tales of Borley's ghosts emerged that same year when schoolchildren claimed to have seen the ghost of a nun.

Central to Borley's mystique was the legend of a Benedictine monastery supposedly built in the area around 1362. According to this tale, a monk from the monastery conducted a forbidden relationship with a nun from a nearby convent. Upon discovery of their affair, the monk was executed while the nun suffered the horrific fate of being bricked up alive within the convent walls.

On July 28, 1900, four of Reverend Bull's daughters and their nursemaid witnessed a ghostly apparition—a woman in white following behind a pair of girls in an opposite field. Additionally, the family was shocked to discover that the nun's path through the garden was already well-known to local villagers, who called it the "Nun's Walk".

In response to frequent sightings of a nun staring sadly through their dining room window, Reverend Henry Bull eventually had the window bricked up—a modification still visible in photographs of the property.

Ironically, this monastery legend—which formed the foundation of Borley's haunted reputation—was thoroughly debunked in 1938 when researchers confirmed it had no historical basis whatsoever. The tale appears to have been fabricated by the rector's children to romanticize their Gothic Victorian home.

The First Hauntings: Bull and Smith Families

""Oh, we are quite used to it. It doesn't bother us at all."" — Ethel Bull, Daughter of Rev. Harry Bull, resident of Borley Rectory

Strange occurrences began to plague Borley Rectory almost immediately after its construction in 1862. The seemingly peaceful Victorian mansion soon earned its reputation as the **most haunted house in England** through years of documented paranormal activity experienced by both the Bull and Smith families.

Unexplained footsteps and apparitions

Reverend Guy Eric Smith with his wife Mable and friends at the property

The first documented paranormal events at Borley Rectory reportedly occurred around 1863, when locals remembered hearing unexplained footsteps within the empty corridors of the house. These mysterious sounds became a common occurrence, often accompanied by the peculiar sound of rushing water—despite the fact that the house had neither mains water nor interior pipes.

The Bull family experienced numerous disturbing events throughout their residency. Consequently, their large family became accustomed to unexplained rappings, crashes, and heavy footsteps in vacant areas of the building. Notably, much of this activity initially centered around young Ethel Bull, whose bedroom door was singled out for nightly rapping. On one particularly frightening occasion, she reported having her face slapped by an invisible entity while lying in bed.

Perhaps the most famous apparition occurred on July 28, 1900, when four of Reverend Bull's daughters encountered what they believed was the ghost of a nun at twilight, approximately 40 yards from the house. The sisters attempted to speak with the spectral figure, but it vanished as they approached. Ernest Ambrose, the local organist, later confirmed that the Bull family was "very convinced that they had seen an apparition on several occasions".

The discovery of the skull

Following Harry Bull's death in 1927, the rectory remained vacant for months until Reverend Guy Eric Smith and his wife Mabel moved in during October 1928. Shortly thereafter, while cleaning out a cupboard, Mrs. Smith made a horrifying discovery—a brown paper package containing the skull of a young woman. This macabre finding seemingly triggered an escalation in supernatural activity throughout the residence.

Reverend Smith gave the skull a proper burial in the churchyard, but this respectful act did little to quell the disturbances. Soon after, Guy Smith experienced his own chilling encounter on the landing outside the notoriously haunted Blue Room when he heard whispering that rose to form the audible, pleading words, "Don't, Carlos! Don't".

The Smiths' daily life became increasingly disrupted by unexplained phenomena. Service bells would ring despite their cords having been cut, mysterious lights appeared behind windows when no one was present, and the couple was stalked nightly by heavy footsteps passing their bedroom. In one desperate attempt to confront the intruder, Reverend Smith leapt from behind a wall with a hockey stick—only to find himself slicing through empty air.

Involvement of the Daily Mirror

By June 1929, merely a year after moving in, the Smiths reached their breaking point. Thoroughly unnerved by their experiences, they contacted the Daily Mirror newspaper, asking to be put in touch with the Society for Psychical Research (SPR). On June 10, 1929, the newspaper dispatched a reporter to Borley Rectory.

This visit marked a turning point in the haunted history of Borley. The Daily Mirror promptly published the first in what would become a series of sensationalist articles detailing the mysteries of the most haunted house in England. These reports catapulted the previously obscure Essex rectory into national prominence.

Through the newspaper's involvement, the Smiths were introduced to Harry Price, a renowned paranormal investigator. Price visited the rectory while the Smiths still resided there, and during his investigation, he and a companion were mysteriously showered with pebbles and slate—an incident that would further cement Borley's reputation in paranormal history.

The Smiths' experiences and the subsequent media attention established Borley Rectory's notorious status in the public imagination, setting the stage for even more dramatic supernatural manifestations that would occur during the rectory's later years.

The Foyster Era: Poltergeists and Wall Writings

Marianne Foyster (at the back) with her neighbour Mrs. Fenton

The supernatural phenomena at Borley Rectory reached unprecedented levels when the Foyster family took residence in October 1930. Reverend Lionel Algernon Foyster, his wife Marianne, and their adopted daughter Adelaide would experience what Harry Price later described as "a recrudescence of all the old phenomena in a much more violent form."

Marianne Foyster's experiences

Marianne quickly became the focal point of the poltergeist activity, reporting incidents far more extreme than anything previously documented at the most haunted house in England. In fact, Price estimated that approximately 2,000 separate incidents occurred during the Foysters' five-year stay at the haunted rectory. The paranormal activity included:

• Bells ringing without cause
• Windows shattering spontaneously
• Objects being thrown violently (including stones, bottles, and candlesticks)
• Household items disappearing and mysteriously reappearing elsewhere
• Strange smells, particularly lavender

Perhaps most disturbing, Marianne reported being physically "thrown from her bed" by an unseen force. She likewise claimed to have encountered "a monstrosity" that touched her shoulder with "an iron-like touch." These reports made the Foyster era the most intense period of supernatural activity in Borley's history.

Failed exorcisms and physical attacks

The disturbing events weren't limited to Marianne. Certainly, young Adelaide was reportedly "attacked by something horrible" on one occasion. Reverend Foyster, increasingly concerned about his family's safety, attempted to perform an exorcism twice to cleanse the haunted rectory.

Both attempts proved futile. Indeed, during the first exorcism, the reverend was struck in the shoulder by a "fist-size stone," abruptly ending the ritual. This physical attack convinced many that the entities at Borley Rectory were not merely passive apparitions but active and potentially dangerous forces.

The mysterious wall messages

Perhaps the most enduring mystery from this period was the appearance of strange writings on the walls. These messages seemed specifically directed at Marianne, with one reading "Marianne, please help me get out." Others pleaded for "Rest" and "Light Mass Prayers."

The first writing appeared in spring 1931 as childlike scribbles that resembled "m's and u's, loops and letters." As has been noted in Lionel's accounts, these gradually evolved into more coherent messages. After Marianne wrote on one wall asking "I cannot understand, tell me more," the mysterious responses became more frequent.

Years later, Marianne admitted to having a sexual relationship with a lodger named Frank Pearless, and that she "used paranormal explanations to cover up her liaisons." The Foysters left Borley in October 1935 due to Lionel's deteriorating health, leaving behind a legacy of supernatural claims that would cement Borley Rectory's reputation as the most haunted house in England.

Harry Price and the Rise of the Most Haunted House in England

The Reverend Henry (Harry) Foyster Bull

No paranormal investigator has become more closely associated with Borley Rectory than Harry Price, whose meticulous documentation would cement its status as the most haunted house in England. His involvement spanned nearly two decades and culminated in two bestselling books that captivated the public's imagination.

His first visit and media coverage

Price's relationship with Borley began on June 12, 1929, when the Daily Mirror arranged for him to visit the rectory alongside reporter Vernon Wall and Price's secretary Lucy Kaye. Remarkably, upon his arrival, new phenomena immediately manifested—stones were thrown, a glass roof shattered, and a red glass candlestick smashed. During a séance in the notorious "Blue Room," the group reportedly made contact with Harry Bull through raps communicated via a mirror's wooden frame.

Following this visit, the Daily Mirror published a series of sensationalist articles that transformed the once-obscure Essex rectory into a national sensation. "At the height of it all, we were visited by dozens of coaches packed with ghost-hunters each day. People were coming from as far away as America," one witness recalled. The rectory stories soon became "practically a daily occurrence in London newspapers".

The year-long investigation with 48 observers

In May 1937, Price took an unprecedented step by renting the vacant rectory for a full year. Through an advertisement in The Times on May 25, 1937, he recruited 48 "official observers"—mostly students—to conduct weekend investigations. This team included professionals such as an army colonel, a doctor, and an engineer, Sidney Herbert Glanville.

Price provided each investigator with what became known as the "Blue Book"—the first-ever handbook on conducting paranormal investigations.

Séances and spirit communications

In March 1938, Helen Glanville (daughter of observer S.J. Glanville) conducted a planchette séance that yielded dramatic results. The session allegedly contacted two spirits:

• Marie Lairre: A French nun who claimed she had left her religious order, married a Waldegrave family member, and was murdered at Borley
• Sunex Amures: A spirit who predicted the rectory would burn down on March 27, 1938

Together with Price's 1940 book "The Most Haunted House in England," these dramatic séances propelled Borley's reputation internationally. Ultimately, Price's involvement made Borley "the best documented case of haunting in the annals of psychical research".

Skepticism, Fire, and the Aftermath

Flames engulfed the most haunted house in England on February 27, 1939, yet the controversy surrounding Borley Rectory was only beginning to ignite. What followed would challenge the very foundation of its supernatural reputation.

The 1939 fire and pig bones discovery

Captain W.H. Gregson, the rectory's new owner, claimed he accidentally knocked over an oil lamp while unpacking boxes, starting a blaze that quickly consumed the structure. However, after investigating the incident, the insurance company concluded the fire appeared to have been started deliberately. Oddly enough, a local resident reported seeing the ghostly nun in an upstairs window during the fire.

Four years after the devastating blaze, Harry Price returned to the ruined rectory. In August 1943, he conducted a brief excavation in the cellars and discovered two bones which he claimed belonged to a young woman. Unfortunately for Price, the bones received a frosty reception. The parish of Borley refused to allow them to be buried in their churchyard, primarily because local opinion held that the remains actually belonged to a pig. They were ultimately interred in nearby Liston churchyard instead.

SPR's investigation and fraud accusations

After Price's death in 1948, his reputation unraveled rapidly. Daily Mail reporter Charles Sutton came forward with a damning accusation. He claimed that during a 1929 visit to Borley Rectory with Price, he was struck by a large pebble. Upon seizing Price and searching him, Sutton allegedly found his coat pockets filled with different-sized stones.

In 1956, three members of the Society for Psychical Research—Eric Dingwall, K.M. Goldney, and Trevor H. Hall—published "The Haunting of Borley Rectory." This devastating report concluded that Price had fraudulently produced some of the phenomena himself. Their conclusion stated bluntly that "when analyzed, the evidence for haunting and poltergeist activity for each and every period appears to diminish in force and finally to vanish away."

Marianne's later confession

Perhaps the final blow to Borley's supernatural reputation came from Marianne Foyster herself. Long after leaving the rectory and following her husband's death, she admitted she had never experienced anything supernatural at Borley. Furthermore, she confessed that many reported phenomena were either natural occurrences (wind, creaky floorboards) or her own deliberate deceptions. Essentially, Marianne revealed she had staged many incidents to cover up an affair with their lodger, Frank Pearless.

Conclusion

Despite being reduced to ashes over 80 years ago, Borley Rectory continues to fascinate paranormal enthusiasts worldwide. Throughout this exploration, we've witnessed how this Victorian mansion transformed from a simple rectory into what became widely known as "the most haunted house in England."

The Bull family first experienced unexplained footsteps and apparitions, followed by the Smiths' terrifying encounters with mysterious bell-ringing and the discovery of a human skull. Subsequently, the Foyster era brought the most intense poltergeist activity, with objects hurled across rooms and cryptic messages appearing on walls. Harry Price's extensive investigations and bestselling books certainly cemented Borley's supernatural reputation.

Nevertheless, the evidence surrounding Borley's hauntings appears increasingly questionable under scrutiny. After the 1939 fire that destroyed the rectory, skepticism mounted rapidly. The Society for Psychical Research's devastating report accused Price of fraud, while Marianne Foyster eventually admitted to fabricating phenomena to conceal her affair.

What remains most compelling about Borley Rectory, therefore, isn't necessarily the validity of its haunting but rather how it became a cultural phenomenon. The rectory stands as a testament to our enduring fascination with the supernatural, regardless of whether the ghostly nun ever truly walked its grounds.

Ultimately, the true legacy of "the most haunted house in England" may be how effectively it demonstrates our willingness to believe in things that defy rational explanation. Though the physical structure vanished in flames, the legend of Borley Rectory undoubtedly lives on – part cautionary tale about uncritical belief, part enduring ghost story that still sends shivers down our spines.

FAQs

Q1. What made Borley Rectory famous as "the most haunted house in England"? Borley Rectory gained its reputation due to numerous reported paranormal activities, including unexplained footsteps, apparitions, poltergeist activity, and mysterious wall writings. The extensive investigations by psychic researcher Harry Price and sensational media coverage in the 1920s and 1930s cemented its status as England's most haunted house.

Q2. What happened to Borley Rectory in 1939? In February 1939, Borley Rectory was destroyed by a fire. The blaze was reportedly started accidentally when the new owner, Captain W.H. Gregson, knocked over an oil lamp. However, the insurance company's investigation suggested the fire may have been deliberately set. The ruins were finally demolished in 1944.

Q3. Were the hauntings at Borley Rectory ever proven to be real? While many people reported supernatural experiences at Borley Rectory, the validity of these claims has been questioned. After Harry Price's death, accusations of fraud emerged, and the Society for Psychical Research concluded that much of the evidence for haunting diminished under scrutiny. Additionally, Marianne Foyster later admitted to fabricating some phenomena.

Q4. What was the legend of the Borley nun? The legend of the Borley nun involved a supposed Benedictine monastery built in the area around 1362. According to the tale, a monk and a nun engaged in a forbidden relationship, resulting in the monk's execution and the nun being bricked up alive in the convent walls. However, this story was later proven to be a fabrication with no historical basis.

Q5. How did Harry Price contribute to Borley Rectory's fame? Harry Price played a crucial role in popularizing Borley Rectory's haunted reputation. He conducted extensive investigations, including a year-long study with 48 official observers. Price also wrote two bestselling books about the rectory and its phenomena, which significantly increased public interest in the site and solidified its status as "the most haunted house in England."

Q6. Is Borley Rectory really haunted? While Borley Rectory was famously dubbed 'the most haunted house in England' by investigator Harry Price, its paranormal claims remain controversial. Over 200 documented incidents include ghostly nun sightings, poltergeist activity, and mysterious wall writings. However, the Society for Psychical Research later discredited many reports, and resident Marianne Foyster admitted to faking some phenomena. The truth likely lies between genuine, unexplained events and human exaggeration.

Q7. What happened to the Borley Rectory nun? The legendary 'Borley nun' was said to be the spirit of Marie Lairre—a French nun who allegedly abandoned her convent to marry a Waldegrave family member, only to be murdered at Borley. Séances claimed she haunted the property, appearing near the 'Nun's Walk' path. However, historians found no evidence of Marie's existence, and the entire monastery backstory was likely fabricated by the Bull family children in the 1800s.