The Old Prison

The place you're asking about is Northleach Prison (also known as The Old Prison or Northleach House of Correction), a historic former prison in the Cotswolds town of Northleach, Gloucestershire, England. It's widely regarded as one of the most haunted buildings in the region. History & Background Built in 1791–1792 as a House of Correction (a type of prison for minor offenders and vagrants) designed by architect William Blackburn. It was part of a wave of "reform" prisons aiming to separate prisoners by gender and offense type, with solitary cells and hard labor (e.g., stone-breaking). It held up to 37 prisoners at a time but often exceeded that. It later served as a police station and petty sessions court until the 1970s. The building has been preserved as a Grade II* listed historic site and now houses a cafe, museum, and visitor center. Current Status & Access It's a public historic site with a cafe, gift shop, and self-guided tours (open most days; check theoldprison.co.uk for hours). Ghost hunts are regularly offered by professional groups (e.g., overnight investigations with equipment, vigils in cells/courtroom). No full abandonment — it's preserved and tourist-friendly, but the old cells and buildings retain a creepy, authentic feel.