Borley Rectory — Borley, Essex, England (1862–1944)

The burned ruins of Borley Rectory with brick chimneys standing among trees
Ghost / Haunting Historical case When: Built 1862; burned 1939; demolished 1944  ·  Where: Borley, Essex, United Kingdom

Status: Explained (mostly) — later investigators concluded that much of the famous evidence was exaggerated or fabricated.

About the pin: The rectory no longer exists; the pin is on the village.

The burned ruins of Borley Rectory with brick chimneys standing among trees
Borley Rectory after the 1939 fire.
Credit: Unknown photographer · Licence: Public domain (per Wikimedia Commons) · Source

Borley Rectory was built in 1862 for the rector of Borley parish in Essex. The paranormal researcher Harry Price called it “the most haunted house in England.” After a newspaper began running stories in June 1929, Price visited and reported objects thrown, “spirit messages” tapped out and a ghostly nun.

In 1939 the rectory was badly damaged by a fire that started when the new owner knocked over an oil lamp; the insurance company concluded the blaze seemed to have been started deliberately. The house was demolished in 1944.

After Price's death, other researchers re-examined his claims and argued that many of the events were fraud or exaggeration, and the case is now often used as an example of how a haunting story can grow in the telling.

Sources: Wikipedia: Borley Rectory

Historical case. This is a summary written by the Department from the published sources listed above, in our own words. It is a historical case added to the map for context, not a reader submission. Reports are claims or findings as described in those sources; they are not proof of anything, and where an official or widely accepted explanation exists we say so. For entertainment and curiosity only. Spotted a mistake, or know more? Add a verification note below, or email paranormaldepartment1@gmail.com.

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