Derby Ghost Walks - Discover Derby

Many of the hauntings and the sightings within the city

play an important part in the history of Derby.

Ghosts

Britain has more than its fair share of haunted houses and nearly every castle and stately home has its resident ghost, relating to some tragic event in its history. Most pubs dating back two or three hundred years have a ghost tale or two, which given time and perhaps for the price of a pint the landlord or one of the regulars will be pleased to relate to the interested visitor.

Many of the older ghost stories are linked to historical events, and have been developed by word of mouth, changing through the centuries as the tales have been passed down. But even in the more sceptical times of the 21st century some of these stories have been backed by credible witness accounts. When members of the public have seen something quite out of the ordinary for which no logical explanation can be provided. There are in fact thousands of modern cases on record, far too many to be easily dismissed as resulting from hallucination and misinterpretation.

Derby Ghosts

Room 29 at the Bell Inn, Sadler Gate, which used to be a hotel, is said to be haunted by young servant girl murdered by the Jacobite army in 1745.

At the Dolphin Inn, Queen Street, the gas taps in the cellar are mysteriously, turned off making the staff think the barrels are empty.

Some of Derby's better known ghosts include, the ghost of Joseph Moss, the only policeman ever to have been murdered in the city, who was shot in 1879. His ghost is said to haunt the fish market, which used to be the police station. A tombstone in the memory of Joseph Moss is on display at the rear of Derby Gaol.

In 1588, three catholic priests were hung drawn and quartered on St Mary's Bridge near to the Bridge Chapel. The anguished cries of the men are said to be heard echoing across the river on the 24 July, the anniversary of this infamous event in the history of Derby.

Amongst many other ghostly happening in Derby, beer mats and ashtrays have been said to go flying off tables at the Abbey Pub, in Darley Abbey.

Derby Gaol

Derby Gaol is a working museum which is open to the public. It was acquired in 1997 by Richard Felix, paranormal investigator and dedicated historian who later became famous, as one of the members of the popular television programme 'Most Haunted'.

The gaol was then restored as far as possible to replicate its original state. Currently it has two cells: The Condemned Cell and the Debtor's Cell. Each one features the original doors which have been re-hung, complete with the prisoners' original 'graffiti'... names, dates and day markers, etched into the wood, marking down how many days the prisoner had until execution.

A twenty four hour investigation in Derby by the TV's Most Haunted brought both the gaol and the city to the attention of a wide audience and as resulted in it becoming a popular venue for ghosthunters, serious investigators and the curious.

Richard Felix claims to have seen a ghost at Derby Gaol in November 1999. It took the form of a strange grey mist creeping across the room from the main entrance.

The gaol is also used as the headquarters for Derby Ghost Walks, where walks can be booked by both individuals and groups, or for the even more adventurous overnight vigils at the gaol itself.

Ghost Walks

The City Centre Walk - starts at the Bell Hotel, Sadler Gate and includes a visit to the Guildhall tunnels before returning to the Tudor Room at the Bell, for a ghosthunters supper.

Friar Gate Walk - starts at Derby Gaol and includes a visit to the cellars of the Friary Hotel, which are haunted by the figure of a ghostly monk. After returning to the gaol the night concludes with the Condemned Man's Supper!

Details can be obtained from Derby Gaol, 50/51 Friar Gate Derby - Telephone Number:01332 299321.

Night Vigils

Starting at 11pm and finishing at 4am with breakfast, night vigils at Derby Gaol enable the visitor to get a real taste of hunting ghosts. A main course meal is included in the price and there is a bar for those wanting to settle their nerves!

Freedom of the gaol is allowed, and visitors are permitted to bring equipment in the hope of picking up the many strange and paranormal occurrences that happen at the gaol. Private groups of fifteen or more, can be accommodated.

All details on this page were correct at the time of publication, but changes may be made without notification.

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