Description of Area

Northleach Old Prison, originally known as the Cotswold House of Correction, was built in 1791 as a model for penal reform. The facility was designed for "reform through hard labour," a history that remains etched into the building's architecture and heavy atmosphere.

During our investigation, we were granted access to the two levels of original jail cells, the landing areas, and the attached former Police Station. The site is noted for its high, crucifix-style windows and oppressive, narrow corridors. The layout consists of cold, brick-lined cells that lead into central communal spaces, creating a labyrinthine environment that feels isolated from the outside world.

Reported Possible Activity

The Shadow of the Cells – Visitors and staff have frequently reported seeing dark, human-shaped figures moving between the two levels of cells. A particular figure is often seen looking cautiously along the upper landing as if waiting for a specific hour or person.
The Giggling Girl – A light-hearted but unsettling presence of a young girl is often reported throughout the prison. She is associated with the sound of disembodied giggling and the physical sensation of "hugging" or tugging at the legs of investigators.
The Treadmill Echoes – As a former house of correction, the prison famously utilised a treadmill for hard labour. Many people report hearing the rhythmic, heavy thudding and dragging sounds associated with this punishment, even though the machinery is long gone.
Physical Aggression – There are numerous accounts of visitors being physically interacted with by an unseen force. Reports include being poked in the chest, having hair moved, or being forcefully pulled backwards, particularly in the Police Station area.
Inmate Deception – Communication sessions at the prison often encounter a male entity—sometimes identified as "Edward"—who is known to be deceptive. This spirit has been reported attempting to mimic family members or use a "mask" of vulnerability before displaying more hostile or intense energy.
Technological Interference – The site is notorious for sudden and extreme battery drainage. Mobile phones and high-powered camera batteries have been known to drop from full charge to zero in a matter of seconds, often coinciding with a spike in physical activity.

Brief Summary of History or Legend

Opened in 1791, Northleach was once the standard for modern incarceration, but it quickly became known for the harshness of its regime. Inmates were kept in near-total silence and forced to endure grueling physical labour, including the infamous treadmill.

Local legend speaks of "Edward," a prisoner who may have been wrongfully convicted of murder and subsequently died within the walls due to mistreatment by guards. Whether Edward is a specific historical soul or a manifestation of the collective suffering of the inmates, his presence is the most dominant and feared at the site. The prison's use of religious architecture (crucifix windows) was intended to remind prisoners of their "sins," but many believe it only served to trap the spirits of those who died in despair.

Northleach Old Prison - Public Event - 20/12/2025

Arrival & First Impressions

The team arrived at the historic Northleach Old Prison, noting the immediate and unusual architecture of the cell areas. The building features several crucifix-style windows, leading to internal discussions regarding whether the site had previously served as a chapel or church.

We conducted a walkthrough of the three individual cells set across two levels. Baseline tests were completed, and trigger objects were positioned: a motion sensor and a "key trace" (six keys of varying sizes traced onto paper) in a lower cell, and a string of bells across the stairwell.

Vigil One – The Cells

The team split across the upper-level cells. Josh was handcuffed to a steel wall clamp in Cell 3 for an Estes session, while other groups monitored Cells 1 and 2 and the landing.

Cell 1 & Landing
Activity began almost immediately in Cell 1, where a heavy chain began to swing gently (captured on video). Beks reported sensing a young girl wandering the landing outside, though an immediate check revealed no one. Dragging sounds and a deep, guttural growl/breath were heard coming from the doorway.

Cell 2 & Lower Cell Activity
In the lower cell, the motion sensor was triggered multiple times. Upon investigation, investigators found that two of the largest keys on the trigger paper had been moved outside of their traced lines. After resetting the keys and returning upstairs, the sensor triggered again. A second check revealed the smallest key had vanished from the paper entirely; it was later located on the floor near the cell door, approximately three feet away from the bed. There were no drafts, open windows, or personnel in the area to account for this movement.

Cell 3 – Estes Session
During the Estes session, Josh began displaying highly unusual physical movements and speaking in a manner that did not align with his personality. The team observed a potential attempted possession or spirit entry, prompting Ros to intervene and terminate the session for safety. Ashleigh, seated in the corner, heard a disembodied giggle and movement directly behind her chair while no one was near.

The Haunted Doll (Fiona)
Fiona was placed sitting upright in Cell 1 under a chain. During a period of total darkness, a "tap" was heard on the floor. When torches were activated, Fiona was found lying on her back. The doll is weighted to sit upright and has never fallen over naturally. While a slight breeze was noted in the corridor from a broken window, investigators confirmed no breeze reached the interior of the cell, and a second identical chain nearby remained perfectly stationary.

Vigil Two – Police Station & Upper Room

A spirit box was positioned over the fireplace in the upstairs room, and a word bank app was activated.

Human Pendulum – Josh
Josh took the centre of the circle. The session focused on a spirit eventually identified as "Edward."

Pendulum Interrogation:

Identity: A former prisoner, not a policeman.
Experience: Confirmed being punished on the prison treadmill.
Death: Died at the prison, not from illness or starvation, but from being beaten.
Crime: Charged with a murder he claimed he did not commit, though he knew the identity of the actual killer.
Disposition: Angry and initially resistant.

Physical & Auditory Phenomena during Pendulum:

Laura reported being touched and felt "spiders" crawling on her skin.
Ros heard footsteps ascending the stairs.
A sound resembling a baby crying was heard by the group (captured on video).
Lottie was pushed forcefully in the chest by an unseen finger.
Ashleigh was physically pulled backwards by her chair.
A "big bang" was heard by the entire circle coming from the adjacent room.

Trance Session – Ros
Ros entered a trance state in the corner of the room. The entity initially identified itself as "Elsa," then as Edward's "Aunt," before finally confessing to being Edward himself.

The spirit claimed to be hiding from "the devil" and admitted to "hurting" people. Ashleigh’s crystal pendulum indicated the presence of a dark or malevolent entity. The spirit was highly resistant to leaving, and upon Ros's exit from the trance, she was found shaking and crying uncontrollably, reporting the sensation of the spirit attempting to pull her back in. Following the session, Josh discovered his phone battery had drained from 90% to 0% instantly.

Vigil Three – Base Room

Hartley Method
The team conducted a final session in the base room using the Hartley Method. (Results available on video evidence.)

Communication Experiments

Estes Method (Cell 3)
Josh, handcuffed and blindfolded. Disjointed words were followed by extreme physical changes and altered speech patterns, suggesting a potential attempted possession.

Human Pendulum (Police Station)
Josh as the subject. Identified a former inmate named Edward. Corroborated details of prison life (treadmill) and a wrongful murder conviction.

Trance Mediumship (Police Station)
Ros acted as the vessel. Encountered a deceptive entity that shifted identities (Elsa/Aunt/Edward). Claimed to be a dark entity hiding within the prison.

Ouija Board (Police Station)
Attempted for 15 minutes. No planchette movement, though the REM Pod in the adjacent room triggered during the session.

Auditory Phenomena

Disembodied Giggle: Heard by Ashleigh in Cell 3.
Dragging Sounds: Recorded in Cell 1.
Growl/Deep Breath: Heard at the doorway of Cell 1.
Baby Crying: Heard by the entire group during the pendulum session (on video).
Big Bang: Echoed from the adjacent room during communication.
Scream: Heard by John and others (not captured on video).
Motion Sensor: Audio alerts triggered by movement at the key-trigger station.

Environmental & Physical Effects

Josh: Displayed erratic physical contortions during Estes. Experienced instant 90% battery drain on his mobile phone. Reported the sensation of a child spirit hugging his leg.
Ros: Experienced involuntary shaking and emotional distress (crying) after trance. Felt the presence of a spirit standing behind her on the landing.
Laura: Reported being touched. Sensation of "spiders" crawling on her skin. Touched gently on her upper left thigh (described as a gentle stroke).
Lottie: Forcefully pushed/poked in the upper chest while in the circle.
Ashleigh: Physically pulled backwards while in the circle.
Beks: Experienced a "strange" feeling/energy shift on the landing. Sensed a young girl spirit.
Team: Collective experience of cold chills during the spirit's "confession."

Conclusion

The investigation at Northleach Old Prison provided significant physical and technological evidence of paranormal activity.

Notable Spirit Contacts:
Edward – A deceptive and potentially malevolent entity. He provided a detailed account of a wrongful murder conviction and death by beating. His presence was associated with physical aggression (pushing/pulling) and technological interference.

The Young Girl – Sensed on the landing and in the cells. Associated with giggling and "hugging" investigators' legs.

Key Evidence:

Trigger Object Movement: Multiple keys were moved from their traced positions in a locked cell, with the smallest key being transported three feet across the room.
Possession/Altered State: Josh’s physical and vocal changes during Estes were marked and uncharacteristic.
Physical Interaction: Multiple investigators were poked, pushed, or pulled during Vigil Two.
Haunted Doll (Fiona): The doll was physically knocked over in a room where no wind or vibration could be identified as a cause.
Auditory Evidence: The sound of a baby crying was captured during the pendulum session.

Historical Connections:
The spirit's references to the "treadmill" align with the historical use of the Northleach Prison as a house of correction where hard labour was standard. The date 1797 was mentioned during trance, which falls within the prison's active operational history (opened 1791).

The investigation concluded with the cleansing of the team and the venue, particularly following the intensity of the trance session in the Police Station area.