The Victorian Prison Beneath Clerkenwell

Beneath the busy streets of Clerkenwell lies a forgotten world—the remains of the Clerkenwell House of Detention, a Victorian prison that held over 10,000 prisoners between 1847 and 1890. Built mostly underground to save space in crowded London, this cold, dark labyrinth of cells and tunnels witnessed immense human suffering. Though the prison closed in 1890 and was mostly filled in, portions of the underground complex remain, and they are considered among the most haunted locations in London.

The prison was notorious for its harsh conditions. Prisoners awaiting trial were held in tiny cells barely large enough to lie down in, often for months in near-total darkness. Disease was rampant, and many died before ever seeing a courtroom. Children as young as eight were imprisoned here alongside hardened criminals. The underground location meant poor ventilation, and the air was often described as suffocating. Visitors to the preserved sections today report an overwhelming sense of oppression and despair, feelings that intensify in certain cells. Many have fled the tunnels in panic, unable to explain their sudden terror.

Paranormal activity is intense and well-documented. The ghost of a young boy has been seen and heard crying in the children’s section, calling for his mother. Visitors report being grabbed or pushed by invisible hands, particularly in the punishment cells. Shadow figures move through the corridors, and the sounds of clanging metal doors echo when no physical doors remain. Investigators have recorded dramatic temperature drops and numerous EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) recordings of voices speaking Victorian-era English, pleading for release or proclaiming their innocence. The prison offers regular ghost tours, and virtually every tour reports phenomena—making it one of the most active haunted locations accessible to the public in London.