History of The Cage of St Osyth
St Osyth, a charming village nestled on the Essex coast, whispers tales of a past far richer and, at times, far darker than its idyllic present suggests. Among its historical treasures, one structure stands out, a stark reminder of a bygone era of injustice, fear and oppression: The Cage. More than just a building, The Cage has ties to St Osyth’s dark history, particularly its infamous witch trials and the role it would play as the town’s lock-up. The building has also built a reputation amongst paranormal investigators, with many claiming it to be one of the UK’s most haunted houses.
The Town Lockup (c. 1500 – 1908)
The story of The Cage, in its earliest iterations, likely began as a functional necessity for the small village. Before it earned its chilling reputation, this rudimentary structure served as the town lock-up – a place where minor offenders, vagrants, or those awaiting transport to larger courts would be held. Imagine it as the village’s holding cell, a place for temporary confinement before more significant justice was dispensed elsewhere.
It was a means of ensuring order within the community, a visible deterrent, and a temporary holding space for those who disrupted the peace or broke the law. The structure itself, would have been a cold place of isolation, where many undoubtedly spent time reflecting on their past indiscretions.
The St Osyth Witch Trials (1582)
The Cage’s history has become intertwined with a far more sinister chapter in history: the St Osyth Witch Trials of 1582. This period, fueled by fear, superstition, and often economic hardship, saw a wave of accusations sweep through the village, leaving a trail of innocent lives destroyed. During this era, The Cage likely took on a more significant and terrifying role. It wasn’t just a place for petty criminals; it likely became a holding cell for those accused of witchcraft. The accused, often women, would have been held within its confines, awaiting their fate – interrogations, examinations, and ultimately, if found guilty, execution.
Perhaps one of the most infamous individuals during the St Osyth Witch Trials was Ursula Kemp. Accused of witchcraft in 1582, Kemp, a local cunning person and healer, was targeted for persecution. Her alleged ability to cause harm through supernatural means led to her arrest and, it is believed, her temporary imprisonment within the walls of The Cage.
Reconstruction (early 1900s)
Sometime in the ealry 1900s, The Cage itself was reconstructed with new bricks and adjoined with the neighbouring property which was built some time in the 1700s. An additional bedroom was added above The Cage, and a kitchen extension added to the side – this now forms what is known today as The Cage located at 14 Colchester Road, St Osyth. While its bricks were replaced and modifications made to adjoin The Cage into a more practical use of space with the neighbouring dwelling, a plaque added to the side of the The Cage reminds passers-by of its chilling history and connection to the infamous witch trials.
The Paranormal (2000 – 2025)
The Cage in St Osyth, with its current unassuming and cottage-like appearance, has become a focal point for the unexplained. Its notorious history as a place of confinement for those accused of witchcraft, including the infamous Ursula Kemp, has imbued the structure with a potent reputation for paranormal activity. For a brief period, paranormal investigators flocked to the home to have their own experiences, with many reporting being touched, poltergeist activity and even faces of visitors transforming into those that eerily resemble a stereotypical witch.
The home has mysteriously changed ownership multiple times, and new owners never seem to remain in the home for long. Even it’s most recent sale was made under strange circumstances – with the previous owner beginning making renovations, but selling the home prior to finishing. They would never make it as far to actually live in the property. Prior to this it was owned by Vanessa Mitchell, who claimed the home to be so haunted that she was violently driven from it by dark, unseen forces. Despite moving out of the property, she was unable to sell the home for quite some time – leaving it largely unoccupied since 2018.
Restoration and preservation (Present)
More recently, in 2025, The Cage was acquired by paranormal influencer, Amy’s Crypt. Specifically, the house was purchased by The Cage of St Osyth Ltd, an organization founded by Amy whose mission is to restore and preserve the home, continuing to tell the story of those women who were fatally accused during the Witch Trials.
Although Amy was drawn to the house for it’s roots in paranormal folklore, The Cage St Osyth Ltd was formed with the objective of creating a lasting legacy and tribute for victims of unjust persecution for years to come. Read more about our restoration and preservation efforts of The Cage.