Ghost Hunts by Venue

The Elizabethan House Museum is a charming merchants’ house located on the quayside in Great Yarmouth. It was built around 1596. The house has undergone many changes over the years, and many of its wealthy inhabitants made these changes. Wood-panelled rooms, richly decorated ceilings, and the imposing stairway all help to tell the story of the Elizabethan House.

The house is famous for its connections with Oliver Cromwell, who is said to have frequently visited his friend, John Carter, a prominent Yarmouth merchant who purchased the house from Benjamin Cowper in 1635.

The building became a regular meeting place for parliamentarians during the Civil War, and it is said this is where the fate of Charles I was decided in 1648. From 1667, some 14 different families lived in the house. In 1870, the Aldred family bought it, and it remained in their possession until the eldest daughter, Mary Aldred, bequeathed it to the National Trust.

Paranormal activity is a regular occurrence at the Elizabethan house. Many hear footsteps, disembodied voices, and mysterious dark shadows moving around the building. Many of the visitors here have also reported being touched by unseen hands. Will you join us as we try to uncover who or what haunts this building and uncover more of its rich history?

The Tolhouse is a Grade I listed building from the 12th century. It is believed to have been built by merchants around 1150. The tollhouse is the oldest civic building in Great Yarmouth. It is believed that it was given the name ”The Tolhouse” in 1360. In 1261, King Henry III gave permission for the Tollhouse to be used as a Gaol (Jial).

The basement of the building was used as the prison, and the prominent inmates were Smugglers and pirates. many of the inmates waited almost ten years for a trial. In 1645, witch-hunter Matthew Hopkins used the Tolhouse jail during his witch trials, in which several local women were hanged. In the 18th century, the Tolhouse used hard labour on a treadmill or picking oakum nearby. In the early 19th century, British prison visitor Sarah Martin criticised the living conditions in the jail, as the cells were too warm and the jail was unsanitary.

The hall of the Tolhouse has also been used as a courthouse, a police station, and, briefly, a town hall. In 1941, the building was bombed during the Blitz and was repaired between 1960 and 1961.

The Tolhouse is steeped in history, so it is no surprise that there are many reports of spooky happenings. Chilling screams and voices have been heard during past investigations, along with ghostly apparitions, whistles, and people being touched and pulled by unseen hands. Many people have fled this location in terror. Will you have what it takes to investigate this venue during the night?