What gives Cambridge such a special place in the study of the
paranormal? One of the most significant factors is that the Society for
Psychical Research originated here. The SPR is Britain's leading
organisation for research into the paranormal. The Society was founded
in 1882 and its first President was Henry Sidgwick, Professor of Moral
Philosophy at Trinity College. Sidgwick's principal colleagues in the
SPR were Frederick William Henry Myers and Edmund Gurney, other Fellows
of Trinity. Another factor is that Cambridge University itself is an
extremely haunted location with phenomena reported from any number of
colleges including: Girton, Sidney Sussex, Emmanuel, Corpus Christie and
Peterhouse. Cambridge is also home to Abbey House, a mansion in
Barnwell, which, at one time was regarded as the most haunted house in
England, long before Essex's Borley Rectory claimed that particular
accolade. 'Fenland', that vast area of reclaimed marshland in
Cambridgeshire, is a most mysterious corner of England. Ely Cathedral is
notorious for its ghostly monks and Oliver Cromwell's former home in Ely
has regularly featured in the press with its stories of the unexplained.
Wicken Fen is well known - for its spectral black dog. Wisbech, capital
of the Fens, has featured in a well-documented investigation into
poltergeist activity, at Hannath Hall. Peterborough Museum continues to
fascinate paranormal researchers and it is thought by some to be the
most active contemporary haunted site in the entire county. A must have
for anyone with an interest in the paranormal.
