The Cage in St Osyth, Essex, is a former medieval prison with a dark history of witch trials and executions. Built in the 16th century, it served as a holding cell for accused witches awaiting trial. In 1582, fourteen women were imprisoned here during the infamous St Osyth witch trials, with two of them, Ursula Kemp and Alice Newman, subsequently hanged for witchcraft.

The Cage later became a private residence but gained notoriety for its paranormal activity. Former residents have reported unsettling experiences, including unexplained noises, cold spots, and ghostly apparitions. One of the most frequently sighted spirits is believed to be that of Ursula Kemp herself, often seen wandering the rooms or garden.

Visitors and investigators have documented various phenomena within The Cage. Some have reported feeling an oppressive atmosphere and sudden temperature drops. Others claim to have captured orbs and strange mists in photographs. Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) sessions have yielded what some believe to be the voices of past prisoners.

One particularly chilling account involves a young girl’s spirit, supposedly seen peering out of the windows. This apparition is thought to be connected to a child’s skull discovered buried beneath the house during renovations in the 1900s.

The property’s reputation for paranormal activity has made it a popular destination for ghost hunters and tourists alike. Its history of witchcraft accusations and executions continues to cast a long shadow, with many believing the spirits of the unjustly accused still linger within its walls.