The Most Haunted Building In Britain?
The National Justice Museum in Nottingham is known for being perhaps the most haunted building in Britain. The National Justice Museum is based at Nottingham’s old Shire Hall and County Gaol. This historic building is famous for its awful, corporal past as it has been home to a local court since at least 1375. Along with a prison, including their first written record dating all the way back to 1449. Throughout the year’s many people would come and go as they begin or complete their punishment of a prison sentence. Over the years both the court and the prison were extended to fit more people in. In 1724 because of the courtroom being overcrowded, the floor collapsed, and several people fell with it into the cellar underneath. The Hall was then rebuilt in 1772.
Known to have been the home to the infamous Sheriff of Nottingham. The Sheriff of Nottingham became famous for being in the legend of Robin Hood. He was not portrayed very positively at all and tends to be disliked. Due to the legend accusing him of taking the money from the poor so that he could become extremely rich and even more powerful.
The Museum itself is a brilliant day out. You can discover the stories of justice and the impact the law has on you and the rest of society. Back then and today. There are remarkable collections to look at throughout. The museum is an independent museum. Which was first opened on the site in April 1995. Before that, the building operated criminal and civil courts. And their multi-award-winning learning programme was set up when the museum first opened.
You can also experience the courtroom, due to the building being a venue that was also recently still a working place of justice. Where they would hand out fines, prison sentences, and a lot of times much worse. Due to the corporal punishment that used to be accepted during those days.
You can even visit the prison cells and see how prisoners would live in them days. Helping you to imagine life behind bars in these dark spaces dating all the way back to the early Saxon settlements. Due to all of the history and the number of years the building has been up for, with plenty of people having lived there. Whether they were criminals or members of the court. There’s bound to be some spirits lingering. What do you think?