A quiet London suburb. Two young sisters.
And a voice that spoke from the dark.
Between 1977 and 1979, the Hodgson family home became the stage for Britain’s most documented haunting — a case so strange it still divides believers and skeptics.
This is the story of the Enfield Poltergeist — the ghost that made Britain listen.
1. A House in Enfield
It began in August 1977 in Brimsdown, Enfield, north London.
Single mother Peggy Hodgson lived there with her four children — Margaret, Janet, Johnny, and Billy.
They were ordinary people, until the nights turned extraordinary.
At first, it was knocking on the walls. Then furniture began to move.
2. The Night It Began
Peggy rushed into her daughters’ room one night to find a chest of drawers sliding across the floor.
When she tried to push it back, it pushed against her — as if an invisible hand resisted.
Over the following days, toys flew, beds shook, and cold air currents filled the rooms.
The police were called. They witnessed a chair move by itself.
The haunting had begun.
3. Voices from the Void
Soon, a gravelly male voice began speaking through 11-year-old Janet Hodgson.
It claimed to be Bill Wilkins, a man who had died in the house years earlier.
The voice knew details about his death — later confirmed by his son.
Recordings still exist: deep, rasping, and unnatural, coming from Janet’s throat for hours without strain.
“Just before I died, I went blind… and then I died in that chair.” — Bill Wilkins (recording, 1978)
4. Enter the Investigators
The Society for Psychical Research sent Maurice Grosse and Guy Lyon Playfair, who lived with the family for months, documenting hundreds of incidents.
Objects levitated. Doors slammed. Janet was thrown across the room.
Over 30 witnesses — neighbors, police, and journalists — claimed to have seen phenomena that defied explanation.
5. What the Cameras Captured
The Daily Mirror and the BBC filmed inside the house.
Photos showed Janet levitating from her bed, her hair floating mid-air.
Tapes recorded knocks responding to questions — one for yes, two for no.
Critics said it was mass hysteria or child trickery, but no one ever proved how the events were staged.
Even magicians admitted — some things couldn’t be faked that easily.
6. The Skeptics and the Believers
Skeptics like Joe Nickell argued the girls sought attention.
Believers pointed to recordings and witnesses.
The truth seemed to hover between the two — a haunting not fully supernatural, yet not fully human either.
Maybe the poltergeist wasn’t in the house. Maybe it was in the people.
7. Where the Family Is Now
The Hodgsons eventually moved.
Janet avoided publicity for decades but later admitted, “Not everything was real… but most of it was.”
To this day, she refuses to sleep with her bedroom door closed.
The Enfield case inspired The Conjuring 2, but the truth remains far stranger than fiction.
FAQ – What Really Happened?
When did the Enfield Poltergeist occur?
Between 1977 and 1979 in Enfield, North London.
Who were the victims?
The Hodgson family — single mother Peggy and her four children.
Was it proven to be real?
Never fully. Some incidents were debunked, others remain unexplained.
Who investigated it?
Maurice Grosse and Guy Lyon Playfair from the Society for Psychical Research.
Is the house still haunted?
Current residents report peace — but locals still cross the street after dark.
Further Reading & External Sources
- BBC News – “The Enfield Poltergeist: 40 Years Later”
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-36077375 - Society for Psychical Research Archives
https://www.spr.ac.uk/ - The Guardian – “The True Story Behind The Conjuring 2”
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jun/09/the-enfield-poltergeist-true-story-behind-the-conjuring-2 - Channel 4 Documentary – “Interview with Janet Hodgson” (1980)
https://www.channel4.com/ - History Extra – “The Enfield Poltergeist: Fact or Fiction?”
https://www.historyextra.com/period/20th-century/enfield-poltergeist-true-story-facts/
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The family’s experiences in Enfield reminds me how local stories can really get under your skin. Truly chilling.