The Enfield Poltergeist

The story

In 1977 the Hodgson family in Enfield reported knocks, moving furniture, thrown objects and a harsh voice associated with eleven-year-old Janet. Journalists, police officers and SPR investigators Maurice Grosse and Guy Lyon Playfair visited; photographs and recordings made the case internationally famous. The children admitted some tricks, while investigators argued that these did not explain everything and sceptics highlighted weak controls and adult attention. The house is private, so the story must examine testimony and media without directing audiences towards residents.

Historical context

Here a modern myth is amplified through newspapers, radio, television and repeated testimony. This matters because a modern audience knows the ending and assumes that it was inevitable. The people involved did not. They acted inside rules, rumours and limitations that now have to be reconstructed in pieces.

Where to find it

284 Green Street, Enfield, EN3.

The address identifies a site associated with the story. The surviving structure may differ from the original building. Use the map and check access with the venue before visiting.

Evidence and folklore

The source uses the evidence profile F/D/L. F means a documented historical core, D a disputed interpretation, and L legend or folklore. A supernatural account is presented as a story, not as an established event.

Planning a visit

Combine this stop with one or two nearby places rather than trying to cover the entire library in a day. Check opening arrangements, ticket requirements and step-free access with each venue. Some places are former sites or working buildings, so a view from the public street may be the appropriate visit. The original author text was prepared in August 2026.