The Crime Through time museum is currently moving to
LITTLEDEAN JAIL!

NOW OPEN - Easter to October 31st
Day visits are only allowed between 10am to 5pm (last entry 4pm)




The museums previous home...Nicholson House

The infamous CRIME THROUGH TIME MUSEUM at the haunted property Nicholson House is prominently situated in the historic market town centre of Newent, immediately adjacent backing onto the Towns large car and coach park, thus providing the perfect arrival destination for the many thousands of tourism visitors that journey to this most popular region.

Already steeped in local history and notoriety, this late Victorian building is exceptionally unique in that it is the Town's former Magistrates Court, Police Station and Police House - complete with its very own small but chilling Victorian cell block. It was the areas only 'lock up' provision in bygone times for those deemed to be in need of punishment or restraint. The perfect property to house a Crime Museum!

The grounds of Nicholson House and the immediate surrounds, formerly being the land owned by the monks of the Old Priory, has its very roots established in the realms of Medieval Justice. Prior to this property forming an essential part of the Victorian correctional system within the region, the land had sacrificed itself with a bizarre, sinister and sadistic past.

In 1298 records show that a Medieval tithe barn stood here. In 1558, crowds of onlookers gathered and stood here to witness the horrific death of Edward Horne, a controversial Protestant Martyr who was tried, condemned and then burnt to death close to the lawn here Fronting Nicholson House. During the reign of Charles II in 1660, there was a "witches ducking stool" housed here, where upon unfortunate wretches were tried and drowned as being "alleged" witches into Peacocks Brook. The brook still to this day runs alongside the rear of this property and can be seen from the adjacent car park. Nicholson House is regarded as being one of the Town's most haunted properties, allegedly still occupied by one of the witches drowned at the time. It is claimed by locals that head-less monks still haunt the land and walk the adjoining Lake at night - spooky!!!

In 1882, the then original Police House was extended to provide the Town with its very own historically important Magistrates Court and Police Station, being used as such until its controversial closure in 1975.

During this period, many infamous local characters and rogues were said to be held here and charged at this court. One in particular being the notorious local solicitor Edmund Edmunds. His wife had died in mysterious circumstances in 1867. The body was later exhumed in Newent some 5 years after her death, and this resulted in him being charged here with manslaughter, to then be immediately brought before the Newent Magistrates.
After hearing a brief summary of the evidence, and deliberating for some 30 minutes, they returned a verdict of wilful murder. He was later to be tried and acquitted by a jury in Gloucester in 16 minutes.

Another infamous person to be held here and charged at this court in his petty criminal days was local character Fred West; world renowned murderer who later committed suicide by hanging himself prior to his pending trial with wife Rose West, for the 23 Cromwell Street, Gloucester Murders.
The property was later sold to the National Federation of 18 Plus Group, hence the property title name of Nicholson House, being named and retained afters it's founder member. It had become their national headquarters, as well as being a residential hostel, and meeting place for organisations in and around Newent.

In May 1998, Nicholson House was acquired by new owners, subsequently to become a family home and to house the astonishing Private collection of infamous and controversial local figure - Andy Jones. A new era begins and it's bizarre and sinister past is reborn. The doors to the museum officially opened on 1st August 1998, attracting a great deal of celebrity and public interest. Lets face it we all have skeletons in the cupboard - who's are exposed on show here?? Visit and you will find out!! - click here for further information

In addition to the Historical significance of the property itself, along with its existing Victorian Courtroom and cell block are, other diverse collections on display and crammed in include:

• The Grim Reaper
• The Guillotine and Body Cages
• Instruments of Punishment and Torture
• An impressive but disturbing exhibition area relating to the Nazi Holocaust Years, including genuine Death Camp and Nazi SS uniforms, insignia etc. (Lest we forget).
• Oswold Mosely's Blackshirts/Fascism in Britain
• Ku Klux Klan Uniforms/insignia etc.
• Cons to icons insight including personal exhibit items
• The works of Britain's hardest and most dangerous prisoner in the UK - The Legend - Charles Bronson
• Tools and weapons used by the criminal underworld
• An impressive collection of British and Foreign Police items, including police weapons, uniforms and insignias
• Bizarre Fetishes, Titillation and Fantasies - an interesting selection of some of the tools of the trade.
• Indonesian Fertility Statue ("Dare you touch the forbidden fruit?") Please note we cannot guarantee pregnancy!
• An impressive pictorial history of crime, including a large collection of autographed and signed material from world renowned infamous real life - 'alleged criminals', and popular fictional T.V and cinema screen characters
• Small collectors souvenir/curiosity shop