The Old Gaol · Heidelberg, Gauteng · Overnight

Haunted Sleep-Overs

Bring your bedding to a jail built in 1888. Explore its reported hauntings, try the suggested ghost-hunting apps and gather for candlelit stories around midnight before settling into your overnight space.

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What to expect

The Old Gaol in Heidelberg, Gauteng, dates to 1888. This overnight experience combines a tour of the jail, its reported hauntings, theatrical effects and time to try cellphone ghost-hunting apps and cameras.

Mark Rose-Christie shares accounts of his own experiences and presents dramatic, studio-recorded stories from South Africa’s “Spookveld” by candlelight. The stories and demonstrations are part of the experience; a paranormal encounter is never promised.

From the Mystery Ghost archive

Your room for the night.

Explore the courtyards, corridors and rooms of Heidelberg’s Old Jail before you bring your bedding.

Explore the photo collection

Guests seated around a fire in a stone courtyard

Good company around the courtyard fire at an Old Jail sleep-over.

Long corridor with repeated arches and cell doors

Through the arches of Heidelberg’s Old Jail.

Heavy wooden jail door with iron locks and fittings

A closer look at one of the Old Jail’s heavy doors.

Stone-walled room with chairs and a bright open doorway

Inside one of the Old Jail’s stone-walled rooms.

Sandstone jail wall beside a grassy passage

The sandstone exterior of Heidelberg’s Old Jail.

Stone passage leading to a dark open doorway

A quiet passage inside the Old Jail.

From evening to morning

18:00 · Arrive & settle in

Bring a packed supper or prepare a braai. A fire is provided. Bring cash for the bar. Bring extra wood if you would like a late-night fire.

21:00 · Explore the jail

Join the storytelling tour and theatrical visual effect, then explore with the suggested cellphone apps and your camera.

Towards midnight · Candlelit stories

Hear Mark’s personal accounts and the recorded Spookveld stories, then settle into your overnight space. Check out by 10:00 the next morning.

Plan your visit

Tickets: R549 per person, including your overnight space. See dates and book tickets.
Bring: your own mattress or stretcher, bedding, torch, camera or phone, warm clothing and comfortable sleepwear.
Food: bring supper or braai ingredients, plus breakfast if you are not eating in town. Pack plates, cutlery, bowls and mugs, as well as any tea, coffee, milk and sugar you need.
Facilities: toilets, a kettle, microwave and electrical sockets are available. There are no showers or baths.
Sleeping: shared areas accommodate a few guests each. Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Drinks: bring cash for the venue bar; confirm card acceptance before your visit. Outside alcohol is not permitted anywhere on the property, including in vehicles.
Parking: the property is fenced and the gate is locked overnight, with urgent access arranged through the venue.
Ages: mainly an adult production; guests aged six and older are welcome.

Public sleep-overs are typically offered around twice a year. Solo guests and groups of friends are welcome; use the booking page for confirmed dates and availability.

Indemnity

Entry onto the jail's property and into the jail, is at your own risk. Please also inform your guests about same.

Private groups

Arrange a private birthday, team outing, club event or year-end get-together at R549 per person. The minimum charge is for 15 guests. A smaller party can pay for 15 or join a public sleep-over.

Ask about your group date, call 074 127 0982 or email markrosechristie@gmail.com.

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