Tortured Woman of Shire Hall
Shire Hall in Derby is said to be haunted by the restless spirit of a woman who was subjected to brutal interrogation techniques in the very holding cells that now make up part of the building. Heavy weights were placed upon her chest in a bid to extract information, but the 'questioning' proved too much for her, and she eventually succumbed to her injuries. It's said that her spirit has returned to haunt the site, doomed to relive the torment she endured in life.
Built in the 18th century, Shire Hall has a long history as a courthouse and prison. During its operational life, prisoners were often held in the cells beneath the main hall, where they were sometimes subjected to extreme methods of interrogation. The woman's story is just one of many tales of hardship and suffering that have emerged from the building's past. Although details of her identity and the exact circumstances of her death are scarce, her haunting is well-documented and continues to fascinate paranormal enthusiasts to this day.
18th-century courthouse and prison
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Shirebrook Colliery Ghost
Shirebrook Colliery, Shirebrook
Deep in the heart of Derbyshire's mining country, Shirebrook Colliery has stood as a testament to the region's industrial heritage. It's here, amidst the coal seams and pit shafts, that a most peculiar haunting has been reported. In 1958, two miners separately claimed to have seen the glowing form of Wilfred Hales, a colleague who had tragically lost his life in the very same colliery three years prior. This eerie apparition has left many questions unanswered, sparking curiosity among paranormal enthusiasts and local historians alike.
The Small Phantom Child
The Old Manor House, Chesterfield
The Old Manor House in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, has a long history of paranormal activity. One of the most intriguing reports is that of a small phantom child that was said to haunt the building. The entity was so convincing that one visitor mistook it for a real infant and reached down to pick it up, only to have her arms pass straight through its body. This chilling encounter is just one of several that have led to The Old Manor House being considered one of the most haunted locations in the area.
The Man in Donkey Jacket
Mine, Glapwell
Deep within the abandoned Glapwell Mine in Derbyshire a strange figure has been spotted. This apparition is that of a man wearing a donkey jacket a type of jacket commonly worn by workers in the industrial areas of England. The sighting which took place in 1964 is one of the most intriguing reports of paranormal activity in the region. The man was seen walking through a piece of machinery before vanishing into thin air. This bizarre incident has left many questions unanswered about the identity of the man and the circumstances of his death.
Alderwasley Green Hat Encounter
Hill just past Alderwasley, Alderwasley
On a hill just past Alderwasley in Derbyshire, a rather unusual encounter took place. The witness claimed to have bumped into a small, four-foot-high figure wearing a green pointed hat. This little being was busy feeding the plants, seemingly oblivious to the presence of the witness. The whole scene was quite surreal, to say the least. It's not every day you come across a tiny figure in a pointed hat tending to the local flora.
The Burning Baby of Bolsover
Bolsover Castle, Bolsover
Deep within the historic walls of Bolsover Castle, a haunting spectacle has been reported by numerous visitors. A ghostly woman, seemingly from a bygone era, is said to appear in the castle's kitchen area. Her actions are both captivating and unsettling; she carefully places a small child into the fireplace before vanishing into thin air. This eerie apparition has left many to wonder about the story behind her actions and the identity of the child.
Cresswell Crags Floating Head
Cresswell Crags, Cresswell
Deep within the rugged landscape of Cresswell Crags, a mystifying phenomenon has been reported for centuries. The location's eerie, natural beauty seems to set the scene for the unexplained appearances of a floating head, believed to belong to a witch. This apparition is said to manifest among the thickets on the water's edge, leaving many to wonder about the dark history that might be tied to this spot. The crags themselves are a haven for wildlife and those drawn to the paranormal, with an otherworldly allure that's hard to resist.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Shire Hall
