Bodmin, Cornwall
Bodmin Jail is renowned as one of Cornwall's most haunted locations, steeped in centuries of suffering and death. Prominent spirits include Selina Wadge, executed in 1878, whose ghost is often seen searching for her lost son and evokes strong emotions in visitors. Matthew Weeks, hanged in 1844, is believed by many to be an innocent man whose tortured spirit still seeks justice. The Lightfoot Brothers, executed in 1840, are also said to roam, their presence described as dark and chilling. General paranormal activity includes unexplained noises, apparitions, cold spots, and physical sensations.
Selina Wadge (grieving mother), Matthew Weeks (allegedly wrongfully executed man), James and William Lightfoot (The Lightfoot Brothers), and numerous other unidentified entities and apparitions.
Executed in 1878 for the murder of her young son, Selina Wadge's tragic spirit is said to haunt Bodmin Jail, her cries echoing through the corridors as she searches for her lost child. She often appears to children and evokes strong emotions in pregnant women.
Hanged in 1844 for the murder of Charlotte Dymond, many believe Matthew Weeks was innocent. His tormented spirit is said to walk the corridors of Bodmin Jail, seeking justice from beyond the grave.
James and William Lightfoot were hanged side-by-side in 1840 for the murder of Nevell Norway. Their dark and chilling spirits are said to haunt Bodmin Jail, a malevolent presence from the prison's grim past.
Built in 1779 (over 240 years old)
County jail for Cornwall, housing men, women, and children prisoners.
Operational as a prison for over 150 years, Bodmin Jail was the site of 55 official executions. During World War I, it safeguarded national treasures including the Domesday Book and the Crown Jewels. The last prisoner was transferred in 1927, and the last hanging in Cornwall occurred here in 1909 (William Hampton). After closure, it served various purposes, including a bar and nightclub, before becoming a museum. A major redevelopment saw it reopen in 2021 as a luxury hotel and enhanced visitor attraction, preserving its formidable history.
Historic 18th-century jail architecture, constructed from local granite. The imposing structure features original cell blocks, courtyards, and an execution pit. The modern hotel conversion has meticulously integrated luxury design within the preserved historic fabric, allowing guests to stay in converted cells.
A wide range of paranormal activity is reported, including disembodied voices, screams (attributed to Selina), and footsteps. Visitors and staff have reported being touched or pushed, experiencing sudden and extreme cold spots, and seeing shadowy figures or full apparitions. Lights flicker, doors open or close on their own, and an overwhelming sense of sadness or dread is often felt in certain areas.
The Naval Wing (original prison structure), the condemned cells, the execution pit area, the old chapel, and the corridors of the original jail. Specific cells, particularly those that housed infamous inmates, are considered hotspots. The 'Dark Walk' immersive attraction also reports phenomena. Selina Wadge is often encountered on the upper floors and near areas children might have been.
Numerous first-hand accounts from visitors, hotel guests, staff, and paranormal investigators describe encounters with the jail's spirits. Children frequently report seeing a 'crying lady'. Staff members have shared experiences of unsettling phenomena during late-night shifts or in otherwise empty parts of the jail. Pregnant women have reported feeling an intense wave of sadness and despair, attributed to Selina Wadge.
Bodmin Jail is a prime location for paranormal investigations and has been featured on numerous television shows and documentaries related to ghosts. Many paranormal groups conduct overnight vigils and ghost hunts, frequently reporting evidence such as EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena), unexplained lights, and personal experiences. The jail actively markets its haunted reputation with ghost tours and events.
📅 Sample dates:2025-06-06 to 2025-06-08 • 2 adults
Dates and guest count can be changed on booking sites
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Paranormal Tip: Book rooms the naval wing (original prison structure) for the best chance of supernatural encounters!
Address:
Berrycoombe Road, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL31 2NR
Phone: +44 1208 822822
Status: Operating (Luxury hotel, visitor attraction, and museum)
The Bodmin Jail Hotel offers various accommodation packages. The attraction provides a range of experiences including heritage tours, the 'Dark Walk' immersive experience, paranormal tours, ghost walks, and after-dark ghost hunting events. Overnight stays in the hotel offer a unique, albeit potentially unsettling, experience.
The Bodmin Jail Hotel is designed with accessibility in mind, offering accessible rooms and facilities. The historic jail attraction has varying degrees of accessibility due to the nature of the old building; it is recommended to check the official Bodmin Jail attraction website for detailed information. Assistance dogs are permitted in the museum, and the hotel is dog-friendly, offering dog-friendly rooms.
Bodmin Moor, a vast and atmospheric expanse, is rich in folklore and ghost stories, including tales of the Beast of Bodmin and various spectral figures. Roughtor, a prominent tor on Bodmin Moor, is linked to the Charlotte Dymond murder case (Matthew Weeks). Several old pubs and historic buildings in the town of Bodmin itself are also reputed to have their own local ghost stories.
Book your stay and experience Selina Wadge and the other spirits firsthand. Many guests report paranormal encounters during their visits.