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Bodmin Jail - Cornwall,

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Ghost hunts at Bodmin Gaol in Cornwall do not need much introduction. This haunted medieval prison has a barbaric history and shows humanity at its harshest. Not a lot needs to be said about Bodmin Jail in Cornwall due to its famous history, this location definitely speaks for itself. It is a bleak and dire Prison that has an impact on anybody who dares to ghost hunt overnight here. The barbaric conditions of the prisoners are so evident and the taunting of the guards can still be heard as well as the wails of the prisoners through the thick walls. Bodmin Jail Ghost hunts with Haunted Happenings have been carried out here for years as it is such a haunted building. Our ghost hunts at Bodmin Jail are bound to help you encounter the paranormal as the activity here is always phenomenal. Our guests are always treated to the full ghost hunting experience although sometimes they may not be as prepared as they had hoped.

Ghosts of Bodmin Jail


Between 1785 and 1909 fifty five people were executed at Bodmin Gaol and all but four of the hangings were carried out in public, providing a grisly source of entertainment for thousands of spectators who would congregate in adjoining fields to witness some poor wretch take his or her plunge into eternity.

Amongst those executed at Bodmin Jail was Matthew Weeks, a cripple who was arrested for the murder of his lover Charlotte Dymond, her body was found on Bodmin Moor on Sunday April 14th 1844. Found guilty of the crime he was hanged at the goal in August 1844 and 20,000 people turned out to witness his final moments. Charlotte\'s ghost, a womanin a gown and silk bonnet is still said to appear at the site of her murder on the anniversary of her death. With so many apparitions being seen at Bodmin Gaol, there is a story for almost all of the them which is not surprising when you understand the brutality and death toll of this sombre and hopeless building.

History of Bodmin Jail


Bodmin Gaol (Bodmin Jail) is an historic former prison situated in Bodmin, on the edge of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. Built in 1779 and closed in 1927, the large range of buildings is now largely in ruins, although much of its former life as a barbaric place of hopelessness is still evident.

Bodmin Gaol was designed by Sir John Call and built in 1779 by prisoners of war, and was operational for 150 years, in which it saw over 50 public hangings. It was the first British prison to hold prisoners in individual cells. The Debtors Act of 1869 abolished imprisonment for debt so the prison had spare space that was taken over by the Admiralty for naval prisoners. Eventually, the naval prison occupied an entire wing of the building, before it was closed in 1922.<br.
During World War I the prison was deemed worthy of holding some of Britain\'s priceless national treasures including the Domesday Book and the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. The first hanging was apparently in 1785, but the finishing date of the jail was in 1788. Executioners were paid about £10 a hanging. The last person to be hanged was in 1909, subsequent executions took place in Exeter Prison.

The jail closed in 1927. Since that date, there has been no prison within the county of Cornwall. However, much of the jail remains in ruins, and presents a forbidding aspect when seen from a distance. Some parts have been refurbished and these now form an informative tourist attraction with exhibitions telling of the history of the jail and of offenders who were imprisoned there.

The exhibits are definitely not lavish and are quite basic in design, showcasing gory mannequins accompanied with plaques, describing the offence committed by particular persons and their sentences, in their respective cells. Because of the style of exhibits, it is not an easy place to be.


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