Your Paranormal Taster Evening with Brookes Paranormal is guaranteed to be a fun, safe and spooky one. Experience this historic location with exclusive access after dark, as we give you an introduction and insight into paranormal investigations at historic locations like Ashbourne Town Hall.

 

On this event, you'll learn the basics and general theories of the paranormal and what a paranormal investigation is all about. You'll get to learn about different pieces of equipment, such as EMF Meters, Dowsing Rods, REM Pods, EVP Recorders and Temperature Detectors, why we use them and how they should be used when investigating hauntings. You'll experience traditional and modern paranormal experimentation, including Estes Method, Glass Divination and the Ouija Board. Through learning and understanding, you'll then put yourself out in the field and conduct two investigation vigils; one focused on equipment and EVP, and one focused on experimentation and methods. You'll also be calling out to spirit and using your own instincts, feelings and senses to see, hear and feel what ghostly energies could be around you.

 

Our team are friendly, professional, approachable and knowledgeable with paranormal investigating, and we will guide and support you to make sure you get the most out of your paranormal investigation introduction. This event is ideal for first-timers wanting to give paranormal investigating a go, without the expense or late-night hours. This is an honest ghost hunting experience, so there won't be any fakery or trickery during the night. We believe that if activity happens, it happens for real.

 

You will also have a short break halfway through for guests to use the toilets and grab a quick hot/cold refreshment to re-energise ready for the next vigil. Due to this being a short break there won't be any time for a vape/smoke.

Built in 1861, the Grade II listed Ashbourne Town Hall is located on the foundations of what was The Talbot Inn public house. This Inn was mentioned in Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton's novel, 'The Compleat Angler', where the book records a conversation at the Inn between two travellers: "What will you drink Sir, ale or wine? Nay, I am for the country liquor, Derbyshire ale, if you please; for a man shall not methinks come from London to drink wine in the Peak". The Talbot Inn was also the venue for the examination of witnesses in a legal case heard in January 1639, in which Sir Andrew Kniveton claimed he had been libelled by William Greaves.

 

In 1252, Ashbourne suffered a horrific incident when the town was substantially destroyed by a fire, as the Market Place was surrounded by timber framed buildings from the hilltop of Buxton Road to the bottom where The Greenman pub is, all of which were set ablaze. It's not known if anyone died from the fire, but given the area was covered in flame-fuelled wooden structures, there's a strong likelihood that some did. New town buildings came in later, among them including The Talbot Inn.

 

On the 3rd December 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie entered into Ashbourne Market Place and outside the Inn, he declared his father, James Edward Stuart, King James III and the rightful heir to the English throne. His troops were billeted in Ashbourne Park during the Winter.

 

The Talbot Inn was largely demolished in the mid 1800s, although the cellars of this place of precedence still remain. Ashbourne Town Hall was built in 1861 and originally was called The Market Hall, a name which can still be seen at the top of the front façade. It's constructed out of ashlar rock, a special type of material only found within the Peak District, and is in Italianate architectural style. In 1894 the area became an urban district, but rather than establishing offices in the Town Hall, civic leaders chose instead to erect offices for their officers and their departments on Compton Street in 1900. Next to the Town Hall is the Town Hall Yard, and as you walk through the tunnel entrance to it, you will see typical mid-Victorian workers' cottages.

 

On the 4th November 1930 a tragic accident occurred. Above the entrance to the Town Hall Yard used to be a firebell mechanism, which would've been rung to report a fire. The firebell would alert the fire crews to man the fire engine, which was kept at the rear of the George and Dragon pub opposite the Market Place. On this date, the firebell was rung, and would prove to be fatal for a certain 40 year old gentleman called Tom Fearn. Tom Fearn was about to walk through the tunnel entrance to the Town Hall Yard, when shockingly the balance bar to the firebell mechanism fell from its position, struck Tom on the head and killed him instantly on the spot before he could blink. What's even more heartbreaking, is that the firebell was a false alarm. The phone call was traced to Ellastone but the culprit was never discovered. A brass memorial is placed above the Town Hall Yard entrance in the same spot that he was killed, and some of his living descendents still live in Ashbourne to this day.

 

In 1973, the new Ashbourne Town Council established its offices in the Town Hall and began using it as a meeting place. It later established a tourist information centre inside too.

Lots of reported paranormal activity goes on here at Ashbourne Town Hall, and it's not surprising given the layers of history and death surrounding this town.

 

The spirit of Tom Fearn is greatly believed to still be here at the Town Hall, with some mediums and investigators believing he's angry that his life was cut short, and some who think his soul doesn't even know that he's dead. The names 'Thomas' and 'Tom' have cropped up frequently on Spirit Boxes and through ITC Apps, and some people have even seen his ghost standing underneath his brass memorial, before disappearing without a trace. Will we meet Tom Fearn on our investigation? And will we come across the spirits of those who perished in Ashbourne's flames?

 

Another strong male energy felt here throughout the Town Hall. Some investigators believe this could be the ghost of Bonnie Prince Charlie himself, but the strangest thing about this spirit, is that he's most prominently sensed in the upstairs toilets.

 

Other haunting events documented here include disembodied voices heard in the Ballroom, loud bangs and dragging heard in both the Cellars and the Council Chamber, and dark shadows seen walking in parts of the building.

DATE: Saturday 16th January 2027

 

TIME: 8:00pm - 11:00pm (Arrive 15 minutes early and wait patiently outside the front entrance until a member of our team greets you for registration)

 

LOCATION: Ashbourne Town Hall, 22 Market Place, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1ES

 

PARKING AT EVENT: Shawcroft Car Park - DDDC (free parking after 6pm), Cattle Market Car Park (free parking after 6pm) and Local Street Parking. Please note parking charges may apply.

 

WHAT TO BRING: A torch, a warm coat/jacket, sensible footwear, your positive and open-minded energies.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Bringing alcohol or illegal drugs to this event is strictly prohibited. If anyone arrives at the event under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances, they will not be allowed to stay for the night and will be asked to leave immediately, NO REFUNDS!