Haunted Rooms invites you on a thrilling night of ghost hunting at the Tolhouse Gaol in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. A terrifying location with over 800 years of brutal history, tied to piracy, smugglers, murderers, and witches.
Event Time: 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Event Price: £49 per person
Address: Tolhouse Gaol, 12 Tolhouse St, Great Yarmouth NR30 2SQ
Welcome to The Tolhouse – over 800 years of history, with stories of witchcraft, pirates, hangings, and more!
The Haunted Rooms team of investigators are thrilled to welcome you to the Tolhouse Gaol!
This imposing old building is an incredibly haunted location marred with death, murder, execution, and witchcraft. As soon as you enter this chilling location, you can feel the sorrow and the terror that was once often felt by those unlucky enough to be incarcerated here.
You truly understand why this location is so haunted as soon as you step inside.
It’s a location to test the most hardened investigators, with past reports of activity including full-bodied apparitions of former prisoners and sudden extreme drops in temperature.
You may also experience being physically touched, grabbed, or pushed and hearing the chilling screams of its former inhabitants.
A ghost hunt at the Tolhouse is certainly one for the braver amongst you!
Spots will fill up quickly for this one, so hurry and book now!
Deposits are available for just £20 per person.
This formidable 12th-century building has served a wide variety of uses since originally being owned by local merchants at the end of the 12th century.
Due to the increase in criminality, particularly piracy, in 1261, the building was approved as a jail by King Henry III. It housed some of the most vicious criminals of its day, including pirates, smugglers, and murderers. Many of them were hanged or died due to inhumane punishments and conditions.
Prisoners were often subjected to being placed in stocks, whipped, beaten, and branded with hot irons!
In 1645, the Tolhouse was used by witch-hunter Matthew Hopkins during his infamous witch trials.
Eleven people were tried in total (including both women and men). Five women – Alice Clisswell, Bridgetta Howard, Maria Blackborne, Elizabeth Dudgeon and Elizabeth Bradwell – were found guilty and were tragically hanged in the Tolhouse Gaols ‘Hold’ area.
It served as a jail until 1878 when after numerous failings in living standards with up to five people in one cell, prisoners were transferred to Norwich Prison.
In addition to a jail, the main hall of the Tolhouse was used as a courthouse, police station, town hall, and a “council of war” room.
For just £49 per person, you can enjoy the following:
Event Location: Tolhouse Gaol, 12 Tolhouse St, Great Yarmouth NR30 2SQ
Time: 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM (Arrive from earliest 7:30 PM)
Directions and Parking: By Road: From the A47 : At Vauxhall roundabout take 2nd exit. At next roundabout take 3rd exit and follow signs for Historic South Quay. Pay & display parking available nearby. There is free parking on the Quayside. The nearest railway station is Yarmouth Vauxhall, which is 1 mile away.
Accessibility: Due to the historic nature of the venue, the location is unfortunately not wheelchair friendly. There are a lot of steps and uneven floors, so it’s also not suitable for those with mobility issues.
Please Note: All guests must be 18 years or older. Not suitable for those who are heavily pregnant. Guests are strongly advised to wear comfortable shoes and warm layered clothing on colder nights.
See below for recommended accommodation near the Tolhouse Gaol:
