Derby Gaol
Date: Saturday 8th February 2025
Time 8:30pm – 2am
Price £45
£15 deposit secures your place
WITH SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE BY RICHARD FELIX
AT THE START OF THE NIGHT
The notoriously haunted Derby Old Gaol, Derby, is a go to location for many ghost hunting enthusiasts. The Gaol is believed to be haunted by a number of tormented souls and ghosts, with ghostly figures witnessed within the walls of this historical site and it is considered to be one of the most haunted buildings in England.
Derby Gaol was built in 1756 and was the second of three county jails in the area. It housed many hundreds of prisoners who were brutally executed and locked up in terrible conditions awaiting their trials. Many prisoners were held at Derby Old Gaol before meeting their sentenced death at the hangman’s rope. The building witnessed many tragic events, including that of two Brothers who were known to take their own lives in their cell the night before their trial avoiding execution the following morning. Original cell doors show markings where prisoners carved their names before their execution.
The Gaol is a place of plenty of paranormal activity, with fragrances, moving lights, and eerie sounds of scraping and dragging within the darkness of the Gaol. The building can have an oppressive feel, particularly at nightfall. Smoky mists, shadows, and dark apparitions being witnessed. Objects have been seen moving during investigations, and the sound of the bolts on the old cell doors being pulled open has been heard. The Gaol is definitely a building worth exploring, to see if communication with the many souls and energies can be established.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, then a ghost hunting experience at Derby Old Gaol is a must. Whether you’re a believer in ghosts or simply curious about the paranormal, Derby Gaol offers a unique opportunity to delve into the world of the paranormal. Join us to investigate a remarkable building which will leave you with with lasting memories and perhaps a ghostly encounter….do you dare?
Derby Gaol history
Today, all that survive the original prison are its cells, which now form part of a working museum that tells the story of its gruesome history.
The gaol first opened in 1756 and replaced one in the Cornmarket. Materials from that building were used to construct the Friar Gate gaol, which was purposely sited close to Nun’s Green. In this place, executions had traditionally taken place.
The gaol was not meant to retain prisoners for an extended time but just to be a holding pen for the courts or the gallows. By the end of 1756, the new building was functional and held its first prisoners. It was designed to house a maximum of 29 prisoners – including those that were destined for execution.
The capacity of the gaol was later extended and this was due to the Bloody Code (1770 to 1830), which saw people hanged in England for more minor crimes. Capital offences then included stealing cheese, geese and breaking into a weaving shop.
Records show that 58 hangings were carried out at the gaol between 1756 and 1825, including the Pentrich Martyrs of 1817, who were executed on charges of treason at the front of the building following their failed revolution. However, a far grander building was later used as a gaol near Vernon Street, and the Friar Gate gaol closed in 1846.
Vernon Street gaol, in 1886, was renamed, HMP Derby. It lasted until 1919 when most of the building was sadly demolished.
Until 1929 the remaining part of the building was used as a military prison, but by 1930 the area behind the frontage had been converted into a greyhound stadium which lasted until 1988.
Directions To Derby Gaol
Derby Old Gaol is located in Derby, UK
The old “Derby Gaol” entrance is from Friar Gate side underneath 50 – 51 Friargate.
Derby Gaol
50 Friargate
Derby
DE1 1DF
Parking
FREE roadside parking after 6pm
👻👻What your night will include:👻👻
👻👻Working alongside the team you will split in to small groups to work through the building in group sessions using both tradition and scientific methods of investigation such as table tipping, ouija boards, evp sessions with the intention of interacting with the spirits that reputedly haunt the building.👻👻
👻👻Hot drinks, bottled water, biscuits and snacks provided.👻👻
👻👻There are toilets on site👻👻
👻👻Strictly No Alcohol or drugs👻👻
👻👻Sorry no under 18’s or pregnant women allowed👻👻
👻👻No smoking or Vaping within the building, a designated site will be highlighted to those that require it👻👻
👻👻Please wear warm clothing and sensible footwear and bring your own torch👻👻
👻👻This location may not be suitable for wheelchair users. There are steep stairs within the building but easy access to the ground floor, so if you have limited mobility it may not be suitable 👻👻
👻👻 This is NOT a sleepover event therefore you will be required to stay awake for the duration👻👻
👻👻All of our bookings are bound by our Terms and Conditions. These are on our page under Notes, but should you require a copy please email us at enquiries@cof-paranormal.co.uk👻👻