Derby Gaol is located in a quiet area on the outskirts of the town centre, the gaol itself is situated on the Friars Gate, although from the front it just looks like a set of offices. Yet visit the rear of the building and this location takes on a very menacing and foreboding appearance.

The gaol itself is made up of several main areas, upon entering the rear gate you are in the main garden, although to call it a garden would be an understatement for this is the location where many people came to the death, in front of a jeering blood thirsty crowd.

As you progress deeper into the gardens, the haunting sight of the stocks and a recreation of the hanging platform takes centre stage.

The creaky door to the building opens and as you walk through the tunnel entrance the atmosphere of the location is overwhelming, restored perfectly, Richard Felix (from Most Haunted Fame) has done an excellent job on recreating what must of been a horrific building to be incarcerated in.

To the left of the main entrance are the toilet facilities (also reported to be haunted, and remember they were not always toilets!), further on is the museum containing many interesting artefacts from the past, on the opposite side of the hallway is the debtors cell, a sealed room with no external light, and just a bench to sit on, those who were restrained here probably wished they were hanged!!.

This is the first of the two main cells, the conditions are cramped and it does beggar belief on how people survived their stay within this area. Dark damp with a musty smell of death still haunting this cell, your stay here will be only for the brave amongst you.

Moving on to the next room named " the condemned cell " similar in size to the previous room, this once again carries a heavy atmosphere, as if the feelings of those who were imprisoned here have remained, recorded in the fabric of the building.

The main cells are linked to the bar area via two main corridors, one of which branches off to the stairs which led the accused to their imminent death. Many apparitions have been seen in these areas, in fact, Richard Felix had seen such an apparition and from his account passed onto us by his son Ed, he was frozen to the spot hanging on the telephone (excuse the pun).

At the end of the corridor is Jacks area currently a bar lounge, yet very much in keeping with the rest of the period building.

There are two main hosts at this wonderful location, Richard and his son Ed, who ever accompanies you on your visit, you are sure to have one very chilling night

The building and area is steeped in such history it would be hard to summarise here, in fact how could anyone report on the history of this location better than the Uk's best Historian / story teller Richard himself. Its for this reason I highly recommend visiting their site below.

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