St. Anne’s Castle Inn (above) is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 and lays claim to be the oldest licensed premises in England. The Inn is reputedly haunted by the ghost of a witch burned at the stake in 1621. The renowned ghost hunter, Harry Price broadcast from here in 1939.

 

However, the website for the Inn states that there are possibly quite a number of non-alcoholic spirits there. These include a little girl, a small boy, a monk, a lady named Elizabeth, and an old man smoking a pipe. Patrons have also reported feelings of depression and nausea. Electrical items are interefered with and items diappear only to re-appear later.

The cottage is adjoined to the end of the Dog and Gunn Inn located on Boreham Road. Occupants have reported strange feelings of not being alone and glimpses of a figure. A paranormal research team visited and undertook an “investigation”.

The Dog and Gun Pub was the scene of unusual occurences in the 1940’s, whereby a boulder the “size of a beer barrel” was left outside the pub door. This was during the Scrapfaggot Green Poltergeist case.

The word ‘Scrapfaggot’ is an old Essex name for a witch, and some suggest that the cause of the case lies with a 17th century woman called Ann Huwghes. She was tried at Chelmsford assizes for practicing witchcraft, found guilty and sentenced to death by being burned at the stake.

 

Strange occurences pertaining to this case were said to have taken place at various locations around Great Leighs. These included the church of St. Mary the Virgin, places where pets and livestock were kept, the St. Anne’s Castle Inn, the Dog and Gun Pub and some business premises.

 

Some believed the phenomena to be genuine, whereas others suspected nothing more than a hoax.