Ah, Hallowe’en (aka Halloween, Allhalloween, All Hallows’ Eve, or All Saints’ Eve). Whilst bulk-buying fun-size chocolates, fake fangs and witches’ brooms, the nation’s thoughts turn to things macabre.

Writers, painters and filmmakers have long fed our fascination with the unknown and supernatural. As real estate buffs, and spurred on by the spirit of Hallowe’en, we thought we would take a look back through the ages at buildings around the UK with colourful and eerie pasts.

Happily, I can confirm that all Redwood projects are free of paranormal activity – nor do we plan to put in a call to the Ghostbusters any time soon!

 

‘The Cage’ in St Osyth, Essex

At one point dubbed “Britain’s most haunted house”, this 16th Century cottage was originally used as a prison, most notably during the witchcraft trial of Ursula Kemp, its most famous inmate. So far, so eerie.

 

Chillingham Castle in Alnwick, Northumberland

This 12th Century stronghold became Chillingham Castle in 1344. It now boasts some of the highest levels of paranormal activity in the country, and offers regular ghost tours.

The Eagle pub, Cambridge

Legend has it that centuries ago, there was a death in an upstairs room. Since then, the upstairs window has been open, regardless of the seasons, to allow freedom for the ghost who is now said to haunt the building. Some suggest that a clause to keep the window open permanently has been written into the Eagle’s lease.

 

Hever Castle, Kent

The apparition of Anne Boleyn is said to roam the grounds to this day, with a particular predilection for appearing beneath an oak tree (where it is claimed she and Henry VIII had courted).

Enfield, North London

Made famous in the 1970s by the the ‘Enfield poltergeist’, said to have terrorised two sisters within the household – since then, the story has been immortalised in film, including The Conjuring.

The Jamaica Inn, Cornwall

Located on Bodmin Moor, this former coaching house and smuggler’s den is considered one of the most haunted spots in the country. The inn inspired Daphne DuMaurier’s eponymous novel and continues to boast several ‘ghosts-in-residence’.