Arundel Jailhouse- my time in the cells...

So, on Saturday I found myself locked up again through no fault of my own. 

I'm not shifting the blame, I was in Arundel Jailhouse as a tourist to learn about the dark and creepy tales contained within its walls. 

Me, Scarlett and my friends (better include them incase they read this!) entered through an innocuous looking door into the candlelight. There were also 2 teenagers that entered with us, they initially mistook me for the tour guide and tried to hand me their money! I know I look scary, but I was a tad insulted. 

My daughter Scarlett's first words once we were in the  entrance to the jail were:

'I don't like it, I'm scared.' 

To which I replied (as any good mother would)...

'You said you are a big 5, it's not real, you'll be fine.' 

Though I did squeeze her tightly as we shuffled through another door into a room which had cells on the right illuminated by a gloomy red light. 

We were then taken into a room and shown a video, which told us of the ghosts around Sussex while banging and scratching noises echoed around us. 

We put our hands on a table with 2 candles on it as instructed and summoned the 'Grey Lady', while all nervously giggling (or was that just me?) 

We were then escorted into the main body of the jail where the cells are. A rocking chair in the middle if the room began to sway and I squeezed my eyes shut for a second. See no evil, hear no evil, go away Grey lady (if we had summoned Mr Grey, then he would have been welcome to follow me around). 

Our tour guide (dressed in a brown cloak) took us back to a time to when crooks, thieves and murderers were thrown into Arundel Jailhouse to await their fate.

Perhaps we might bump into the 'Grey Lady' the 'one armed man' or 'The lovers', all of whom sounded interesting- but I didn't want to see them in the flesh, or the spirit. 

Me and Scarlett sat in the one armed man's cell alone with the 2 teenagers. It was silent until...the ladle on the dimly lit wall started moving, and an arm under a table began wiggling. 

Thankfully, our guide returned and took us to solitary confinement (then I was not so thankful) and the door was closed. After being told about the history embedded in the walls (there are scratches down the walls from prisoners desperately trying to scratch their way out), there was one last scream which reverberated through the cell and something fell next to my feet (don't ask me what it was, once the door was opened - I was off) and we made our way back to the enterance. 

Arundel Jailhouse is a unique attraction, which enables you to really experience a piece of history for a incredibly reasonable price, which is rare these days. 

Adults (13 or over) £5.00

Students and concessions £4.00

Children £3.00 (the jailhouse is not suitable for babies and toddlers.) 

Tours are on Saturdays from 12pm until 6pm and run on the hour and half past the hour. Each tour takes about 20 minutes. 

The only downside is that I wished it was longer however the jailhouse also has comedy nights and blues nights, so it won't be long until I'm back inside again.

For more information log onto:

www.arundeljailhouse.co.uk