Colchester, Essex
The Brook Red Lion Hotel is renowned as one of Essex's most haunted locations, with multiple documented spirits spanning different historical periods. Alice Catherine Millar, murdered in 1633 or 1638 after discovering she was pregnant by an influential figure, is the most active spirit, appearing in rooms 5, 6, and 10, and materialising in a rocking chair to ask if guests are alright. A hooded monk who died saving children from a fire centuries ago watches protectively over corridors and reception. A small boy spirit, seen mainly by children, appears in the Parliament Room and has been captured in numerous guest photographs. Additional spirits include a woman in Edwardian costume, a Cavalier who walks through doors and windows, and the sounds of panicking children from a 1970s fire tragedy.
Alice Catherine Millar (murdered chambermaid), The Hooded Monk, The Small Boy, Woman in Edwardian costume, Cavalier spirit, Panicking children (1970s fire victims)
Alice Catherine Millar: A chambermaid who discovered she was pregnant by an influential figure and was murdered in 1633 or 1638. She materialises in a rocking chair, asking guests if they are alright before vanishing. Staff report hair being pulled in the kitchen, whispers in ears, and cushions being mysteriously stacked in the bar area below where she once lived. She appears as a blur, touches guests, and has been recorded on video by visitors. Alice walks through the bricked-up doorway where her room once was, and her presence was so terrifying that the 1800s owner sealed her room permanently. The Hooded Monk: A protective spirit who died trying to rescue children from a fire at the inn several hundred years ago. Seen during early morning hours around reception and corridors, he appears as a shadowy figure in dark robes. Unlike other spirits, he provides a calming, protective presence and continues his mission of watching over those at the inn. The Small Boy: Appears primarily in the Parliament Room and is mainly seen by children. He has been captured in numerous guest photographs and interacts playfully with young visitors. Some connect him to the 1970s fire or suggest he may be one of the children the monk was unable to save. His manifestations are always gentle and curious rather than frightening. Additional Spirits: A woman in Edwardian costume has been spotted throughout the hotel, along with a Cavalier figure who demonstrates the ability to walk through closed doors and windows. The cellar area experiences unexplained phenomena, and the sounds of panicking children have been heard - believed to be spectral remnants of the 1970s fire where people died in the inferno.
Alice Catherine Millar was a chambermaid murdered in 1638 after discovering she was pregnant by an influential figure. Her spirit remains active in rooms 5, 6, and 10.
A hooded monk who died trying to rescue children from a fire several hundred years ago. His spirit continues to watch over the inn's corridors and reception area.
A small boy spirit seen primarily in the Parliament room, whose presence is mainly witnessed by children and captured in photographs by guests.
Built in 1465 (15th century)
15th-century coaching inn and tavern
One of England’s oldest inns; Grade I listed Tudor timber-frame building}. Has ties to Oliver Cromwell’s era and a notorious murder in 1638 on the premises. A bricked-up medieval doorway inside attests to structural changes over centuries.
Medieval/Tudor – exposed timber beams, leaded windows, and period furnishings reflecting its 1400s.
Extensive paranormal activity includes doors opening and closing, items moving on their own, lights swinging, and cold spots throughout the building. Alice appears as both a full manifestation and as a blur, directly interacting with guests and staff. The rocking chair incident where Alice materialised to check on an assistant manager is one of the most detailed recorded encounters. Staff experience hair pulling, whispers, and mysterious rearrangement of objects. Ghost hunt events consistently record activity, with investigators capturing EVP evidence and thermal anomalies.
Rooms 5, 6, and 10 are Alice's primary haunting locations, with room 10 being particularly active according to some sources. The kitchen area where Alice pulls hair and whispers to staff, the bar area where cushions are mysteriously stacked, the bricked-up doorway where Alice disappears, reception and corridors where the monk appears during early hours, the Parliament Room where the small boy is most frequently seen, and the cellar which experiences group-reported strange events.
The assistant manager's detailed encounter with Alice materialising in a rocking chair and asking if he was alright represents one of the most compelling modern testimonies. Hotel receptionists have confirmed seeing Alice and warn guests to be careful. Multiple families report children interacting with the small boy spirit, and numerous photographs capture unexplained child figures. Staff members consistently report encounters across different periods, and guest video recordings have captured female voices. The hotel's own employees openly discuss the spirits, indicating their acceptance as permanent residents.
The hotel hosts regular ghost hunt events through professional paranormal investigation companies. Multiple EVP recordings have captured female voices, particularly in areas associated with Alice. Ghost hunt participants report consistent activity including physical contact, temperature drops, and equipment responses. The hotel's haunted reputation has made it a popular destination for paranormal tourism, with investigators documenting evidence across multiple visits and using various detection methods.
Ready to witness the paranormal activity firsthand? Book your stay and join the ranks of guests who've encountered the supernatural.
Check Availability & Rates
📅 Sample dates:2025-08-30 to 2025-09-01 • 2 adults
Dates and guest count can be changed on booking sites
💰 Affiliate Disclosure: We earn a commission from some bookings at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure
Paranormal Tip: Book rooms near rooms 5 for the best chance of supernatural encounters!
No specific ghost packages, but periodic "Ghost Hunt" experience nights are offered by third-party organisers. Hotel offers standard stay packages and Tudor-themed dining events.
Limited – as a 3-story 15th-c. building, there is no lift and steep, narrow stairways. Not wheelchair accessible. No on-site parking (use public car parks within 5-minute walk).
Help others discover this haunted hotel
12 haunted sites and 4 attractions within 10-15 miles
Click a map pin to view details
Book your stay at Brook Red Lion Hotel and explore 12 haunted locations within walking or short driving distance.
Book Your Paranormal AdventureBook your stay and experience Alice Catherine Millar and the other spirits firsthand. Many guests report paranormal encounters during their visits.