The Derby Catacombs (also referred to as the Guildhall

Catacomb Catacombs are man-made underground passages primarily used for religious purposes, particularly for burial. Any chamber used as a burial place is considered a catacomb, although the word is most commonly associated with the Roman Empire. Etym ...

s) are a series of

tunnel A tunnel is an underground or undersea passageway. It is dug through surrounding soil, earth or rock, or laid under water, and is usually completely enclosed except for the two portals common at each end, though there may be access and ve ...

s running beneath the

city of Derby Derby ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area on the River Derwent, Derbyshire, River Derwent in Derbyshire, England. Derbyshire is named after Derby, which was its original co ...

, most notably beneath the Marketplace and

Derby Guildhall Derby Guildhall is a municipal building in the Market Place, Derby, England. It is a Grade II listed building. History A moot hall was first established in the Market Place area in 1204. This was replaced by a timber and plaster guildhall in 15 ...

. Access to the tunnels is available via a back room of the nearby Tiger pub. During the

Victorian era In the history of the United Kingdom and the British Empire, the Victorian era was the reign of Queen Victoria, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. Slightly different definitions are sometimes used. The era followed the ...

, the tunnels were used to ferry

prisoner A prisoner, also known as an inmate or detainee, is a person who is deprived of liberty against their will. This can be by confinement or captivity in a prison or physical restraint. The term usually applies to one serving a Sentence (law), se ...

s between the police station at "Lock-Up Yard" and the

Courts of Assize The assizes (), or courts of assize, were periodic courts held around England and Wales until 1972, when together with the quarter sessions they were abolished by the Courts Act 1971 and replaced by a single permanent Crown Court. The assizes ex ...

s, held at the Guildhall.

References

Tunnels in Derbyshire Geography of Derby {{Derbyshire-struct-stub