HAUNTED DERBY

SPOOK CITY| Things are going bump in the night in Derby ...

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With over 1,000 paranormal sightings and spooky goings on, Derby certainly deserves its title 'ghost capital of the UK'.

A terrace house complete with spirit lodger, floating trousers and the notorious Derby Jail, which has housed much more than your average prisoner, it’s no wonder Derby has been named the ghost capital of England.

With over 1,000 paranormal sightings, is this simply just a case of over active imaginations, or do things really go bump in the night in the city of Derby? Inside Out sends Astrologer turned ghost buster, Russell Grant to investigate.

Bump in the night

Russell Grant turns ghost buster to investigate paranormal activity

Stories of ghostly activities span generations. In fact it’s difficult to turn a corner in the city without hearing a nerve jangling tale of things going bump in the night. And you don’t have to go too far to find one such tale.

Built over 500 years ago, the Dolphin pub, claims to have more spirits than the ones found behind the bar. This Tudor building from 1532 is home to Landlord Terry, and boasts no less than four resident ghosts as its regulars.

Possessed trousers

Terry’s wife has felt an unnerving presence in the bedroom which appeared to be pressing down on her. On a separate occasion she claims her trousers were levitated off the bathroom floor.

The Dolphin pub boasts no less than four spirit regulars at its bar

Inside Out called in a psychic investigator to find out more. The investigator felt the spirits in the Dolphin pub were particularly drawn to the lady of the house.

"She’s a very spiritual person...a very kind lady and that’s what the spirits are attracted to."

So Terry’s wife can rest easy knowing that her floating trousers are simply acts of affection from her ghostly fans. Shame they can’t manage to levitate them down the stairs and into the washing machine!

Not all of Derby’s hauntings however are confined to historical residences. Jenny Richard’s terrace house on the outskirts of Derby may by lacking the typical attributes of your average haunted dwelling, no gnarled tree in the garden and not a creepy butler in sight, but don’t let this fool you.

Psychic energy

Jenny and her son share their home with a ghostly apparition

On the night Jenny moved in, she was prodded in the back by what she later believed to be the ghost of an old man. Jenny’s son has seen him too down the alley at the back of the house. On closer inspection the figure vanished.

Over two thirds of Derby's sightings are in buildings situated alongside the old A6. Some believe that this is due to lay lines, which are thought to convey psychic energy. Leading ghost researcher Richard Felix has his own theory for Derby’s high spirit population.

"So many things have happened, so many people have passed though, so much energy has been expelled here… We have the last hanging, drawing and quartering in England and the only Peer to be hanged for murder," explains Richard.

Haunted hot spot

Derby has been quick to respond to the flocking tourists and would be ghost busters, providing spooky city walks galore. Inside Out’s Russell Grant though was yet to be convinced. That was until he visited the remains of Derby Jail.

The Condemned cell - the most haunted hot spot in Derby jail

Derby jail is said to be one of the most haunted in the country, with the condemned cell, the most haunted hot spot there. It is here that Russell had an excruciating headache although he claims not to be a headache sufferer.

According to the Derwent Paranormal Society, who hold regular vigils in the jail, this is a common complaint. The society also claims to have the culprit of the supernatural ailments captured on camera.

Whether your a supernatural sceptic or a supernatural seeker, it can’t be denied that there is definitely something out of the ordinary about Derby.

Although Russell failed to commune with the other side, his unnerving visit to jail found him reaching for the painkillers and heading swiftly home.

It seems the spirit’s in this instance have done Derby proud. "Derby people are very proud to be the ghost capital of the UK. They can see that Derby is special. We are quite proud of our ghosts."
Richard Felix.