The History of Ashbourne Town Hall

The building is faced with ashlar stone with the over-fussy decorative embellishments typical of the mid-Victorian period.

A purpose-built meeting room was first suggested in 1852, and was combined with a proposal to build a Market Hall. Subscriptions were collected and various premises in the Market place were considered, but the scheme was postponed through lack of sufficient funds. A number of local tradesmen formed a trust to purchase a property in St John’s Street, which was rebuilt as a lecture and meeting room (now St John’s Gallery and Café). The Market or Town Hall went ahead as a separate project and, eventually, another property was purchased in the Market Place and rebuilt as the Market Hall. The stone pediment shows the date 1861 along with the names of the Trustees.

The Hall was built on the site of the Talbot Inn, mentioned in Izaak Walton’s and Charles Cotton’s “The Compleat Angler”. In the book, Piscator Junior and Viator stopped here for a drink on horseback before heading for the River Dove at Milldale; an early form of a “drive through”.

There has been hundreds of reports of strange unexplained happenings within these walls at Ashbourne Town hall. There have numerous

reports of footsteps coming up and coming down the stairs when noboby is present. Doors heard and seen slamming shut from unforseen hands. The sound of disembodied voices and even childs laughter and singing has been heard. Items have been left in a certain position and staff members upon their return have found these items moved. Sudden and unexpected drastic temperature changes. Dark tall figures are seen. Many believe is location is home to many lost souls