Old bell hotel derby-november 2012

Derelict Places

Help Support Derelict Places:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

johno23

Veteran Member
Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2008
Messages
453
Reaction score
131
Location
Derbyshire.
The Old Bell Hotel in Derby was one of several coaching inns in the area that are steeped in history.
It was built circa 1680 by the Meynell family who were of the higher gentry classes of the time.
It was later extended in 1776 to include a grand ballroom and additional ancillary areas to the rear.
It had its own stables and livery and could accomadate horses and coaches as well as their occupants,many of them rich businessmen who had travelled long distances carrying valuables.
Therefore it also attracted vagabonds,thieves and highwaymen who would listen in to their business and then go ahead to intercept and rob them on their forward journey.
It was regularly raided by the lawkeepers of the era,but unbeknown to them the "swines"would slip into the abyss of the cellar unseen and disappear along a tunnel between here and another local coaching inn to escape.

The building has suffered many alterations over the years,most noteworthy was in 1929 when the landlord decided that it did not look old enough,so he decided to add the mock tudor black and white exterior thus hiding the traditional brick and timber construction.

On 20th June 1952, the building was listed Grade II ,it is 4 storeys high and 4 gables with leaded casement windows.It has a lovely 17th century staircase and rain water gulleys to the front elevation dated 1717.

However,the peril of recent times have overtaken the old place and it was recently closed down by the authorities due to a tragic incident which occured just outside very recently and the fact that the place seemed to be failing generally.I wont post the details of the incident here out of respect for those concerned but suffice to say it is in the Derby Telegraph news archives.

It was a very popular and busy venue in recent times however, with bands and other music events and in years past I have spent some good nights with a fair few pints in here, so I was quite saddened to see it in its current state.

This place has been totally abandoned by the looks of it and nobody seems to know what is happening with the old place.

So after some research,observations and some cheeky chat with some nearby workmen we donned suitable PPE and spent a good three hours in the place.Anyway on with the pics.
DSCF2993.jpg

A FRONT VIEW SHOWING SIGNAGE.
DSCF3011.jpg

FRONT ELEVATION.
DSCF2973.jpg

A REAR VIEW SHOWING SOME OF THE DISREPAIR.
DSCF2980.jpg

ENTRANCE YARD SHOWING MOCK TUDOR ADDITIONS OF 1929.
DSCF2902.jpg

A VIEW ACROSS THE CITY FROM A TIRED OLD WINDOW.
DSCF2847.jpg

PART OF THE BEAUTIFUL OLD 17TH CENTURY STAIRCASE.
DSCF2842.jpg

UP A HIDDEN STAIRCASE WE STEPPED RIGHT BACK INTO THE 1700`S.
DSCF2822.jpg

A TYPICAL TOP FLOOR ROOM.
DSCF2808.jpg

ORIGINAL FIREPLACE.
DSCF2796.jpg

THE (LOCALLY)FAMOUS ROOM 29.
DSCF2788.jpg

TYPICAL PERIOD ROOF TIMBERS.
DSCF2783.jpg

ONE OF OUR FAVOURITE WINDOW SHOTS.
DSCF2778.jpg

LOOKING UP THE 17TH CENTURY STAIRS TO LANDING/ROOF TIMBERS.
DSCF2757.jpg

PLEASE IGNORE THE RUBBISH AND CHECK OUT THE INSCRIPTION ON THE EDGE:).
DSCF2734.jpg

SUPPOSED TO BE THE MAIN OFFICE,MORE LIKE RUBBISH HQ.
DSCF2703.jpg

PART OF THE EXTENSIVE CELLARS.
DSCF2702.jpg

FURTHER DOWN INTO THE UNKNOWN WE GO.
DSCF2694.jpg

STRANGE GRAFFITI ROOM.
DSCF2688.jpg

PART OF THE GRAND BALLROOM,NOW IN A VERY SORRY STATE INDEED.
DSCF2686.jpg

SAME ROOM FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE.

DSCF2677.jpg

ONE OF THE MAIN BARS.
DSCF2675-1.jpg

WINDOW SHOT IN MAIN BAR.
DSCF2674.jpg

MOCK TUDOR THEME CARRIED INDOORS TO BAR AREAS.
 
Last edited:
Wow! What a report, so many parts to that building!
I can smell the top floors from here! I'd have taken days to rifle through / photograph everything in there!
Top notch stuff sir!
 
Thank you,that is appreciated.
It is a work in progress,would have got more covered but the light faded and I formed the opinion that the place has "night residents"due to the stuff lying around.:)
 
Room 29 at the Bell Inn, Sadler Gate, which used to be a hotel, is said to be haunted by young servant girl murdered by the Jacobite army in 1745.

And I have a 12' wanger. :)
 
Good report, the building is amazing-its such a shame what happened with its closure [and very close to home for me] but I heard it was on its last legs anyway. They now run some similar place just round the corner [the previous landlords].
Its seen some good US punk bands play while I have been in Derby. Good pics mate, i bet it was like a maze up there...
 
http://www.essive.co.uk/investigations/bell_derby/bell.htm

Load of old cobblers if you ask me but I guess it keeps 'em of the streets:)

Room 29 at the Bell Inn, Sadler Gate, which used to be a hotel, is said to be haunted by young servant girl murdered by the Jacobite army in 1745.

And I have a 12' wanger. :)

Hence the reason,I did not elaborate on local "folklore" about room 29.
Its good for the local tourist trade I suppose.

Personally,I/we visit places with an historians eyes and piece it together "how it used to be".

I try to avoid putting anything about "reported or documented ghost stuff" on here as I know it is frowned upon:lol::).

Thanks for the input though guys, all views welcomed and respected!!
 
Last edited:
Good report, the building is amazing-its such a shame what happened with its closure [and very close to home for me] but I heard it was on its last legs anyway. They now run some similar place just round the corner [the previous landlords].
Its seen some good US punk bands play while I have been in Derby. Good pics mate, i bet it was like a maze up there...

Yes it was a shame indeed.No one has "apparently"cared for the place judging by its interior state and to boot its yet another Grade II listed building in Derby going to waste:mad:

It was a maze of corridors and rooms and I am certain we only covered two thirds of it due to failing light as torches were not enough.

Always used to do the Sadler Gate circuit at Christmas etc, so holds some fond memories for us:)
 
Hence the reason,I did not elaborate on local "folklore" about room 29.
Its good for the local tourist trade I suppose.

Personally,I/we visit places with an historians eyes and piece it together "how it used to be".

I try to avoid putting anything about "reported or documented ghost stuff" on here as I know it is frowned upon:lol::).

Thanks for the input though guys, all views welcomed and respected!!

I bet you went in and thought about it thou! :lol:
 

Latest posts

Back
Top