Layer Marney Tower, located near Colchester in Essex, England, is a Tudor palace gatehouse built in the early 16th century. Construction began around 1520 under Henry, 1st Lord Marney, a prominent courtier of King Henry VIII. The tower stands at 80 feet tall, making it the tallest Tudor gatehouse in Britain. The structure was intended to be part of a grand palace, but construction halted after Lord Marney’s death in 1523.

The tower has a rich history of paranormal activity. One of the most frequently reported apparitions is that of Lord Marney himself, often seen wandering the grounds or peering from windows. Visitors have described encounters with a ghostly figure dressed in Tudor-era clothing, believed to be the restless spirit of the tower’s original owner.

Another commonly reported phenomenon is the sound of phantom footsteps echoing through the empty corridors. Staff and guests have heard these unexplained noises, particularly at night when the tower is closed to the public.

The ghost of a young boy has been sighted on multiple occasions, typically on the stairs or in the upper rooms of the tower. Witnesses describe him as appearing sad or lost, and some speculate he may be connected to a tragic accident that occurred during the tower’s construction.

Paranormal investigators have documented unexplained temperature drops, electronic voice phenomena (EVP), and strange orbs of light in photographs taken at the site. Some visitors have reported feeling sudden chills or an overwhelming sense of being watched while exploring certain areas of the tower.

The Long Gallery, in particular, is known for its eerie atmosphere and frequent reports of paranormal activity. Guests have described feeling a presence following them through this area, and some have even claimed to have been touched by unseen hands.