The Tolhouse Gaol in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, dates back to the 12th century and served as a prison for over 800 years. This imposing medieval building has a long history of incarceration, torture, and executions, making it a hotbed for paranormal activity. Visitors and staff have reported numerous ghostly encounters within its ancient walls.

One of the most frequently sighted spirits is that of a young woman believed to be Sarah Martin, a 19th-century prison reformer who dedicated her life to improving the conditions of inmates. Her apparition has been seen walking the corridors, still tending to the prisoners in the afterlife.

The ghost of a jailer named John Sage is said to haunt the building’s basement. Witnesses have described feeling an oppressive presence and hearing the sound of keys jangling in this area. Sage was known for his cruel treatment of prisoners and was eventually hanged for murder.

In the former courtroom, people have reported hearing the disembodied voices of judges and defendants, as if trials from centuries past are still taking place. Some visitors have even claimed to see spectral figures dressed in period clothing, sitting in the gallery or standing at the dock.

The narrow, winding staircases of the Tolhouse Gaol are another paranormal hotspot. Many have experienced the sensation of being pushed or touched by unseen hands while ascending or descending these stairs. The ghost of a young boy, believed to be a former inmate, has been seen darting up and down these steps.