The Thorn Hotel in Mistley Heath boasts a rich and eerie history dating back to the 18th century. Originally built as a coaching inn, the hotel has witnessed its fair share of tragedy and mysterious occurrences. In 1789, a fire ravaged the building, claiming the lives of several guests. Eyewitnesses reported seeing ghostly figures fleeing the flames, and since then, guests and staff have encountered apparitions of men, women, and children throughout the hotel.

One of the most well-known spirits is that of a young girl named Elizabeth, who allegedly died of tuberculosis in the early 1800s. Her spectral form has been seen wandering the halls, leaving behind the scent of lavender. The ghost of a former innkeeper, known as “Old Tom,” is said to haunt the bar area, moving objects and causing sudden temperature drops.

In the 1920s, a guest claimed to have been violently pushed down the stairs by an unseen force, while others have reported hearing disembodied footsteps and whispers. The Thorn Hotel’s haunted reputation gained further notoriety in the 1970s when a team of paranormal researchers captured an eerie photograph of a misty figure on the main staircase. Over the years, numerous guests have shared tales of unexplained phenomena, such as doors slamming shut on their own, lights flickering, and the sensation of being watched by an invisible presence. These chilling accounts have solidified The Thorn Hotel’s status as one of the most haunted locations in Mistley Heath.