Dorchester Shire Hall, located in the heart of Dorchester, Dorset, stands as a testament to centuries of legal history. Constructed in 1797, this Georgian building served as the county court and seat of local government for over 200 years. The imposing structure, designed by architect Thomas Hardwick, features a distinctive classical facade and an octagonal courtroom that has witnessed numerous high-profile trials.

One of the most infamous cases heard at Dorchester Shire Hall was that of the Tolpuddle Martyrs in 1834. These six agricultural laborers were tried and sentenced to transportation for forming a trade union, sparking widespread public outrage and eventually leading to their pardon.

The building’s dark history has given rise to several ghost stories. Staff and visitors have reported unexplained phenomena, including the sound of heavy footsteps echoing through empty corridors and doors slamming shut on their own. Some claim to have seen the apparition of a judge in full regalia, believed to be the spirit of Judge Jeffreys, the notorious “Hanging Judge” who presided over the Bloody Assizes in 1685.

In the courtroom, witnesses have described feeling sudden cold spots and experiencing an overwhelming sense of dread. There have been accounts of shadowy figures seen darting between the wooden pews and the distinctive smell of pipe tobacco lingering in the air when no one is smoking.

The cells beneath the courthouse, where prisoners awaited their fate, are said to be particularly active. Visitors have reported hearing disembodied whispers and cries, as well as feeling unseen hands touch them in the cramped, oppressive spaces. Some have even claimed to see the ghostly outlines of chained prisoners huddled in the corners of the cells.