24/01/2026
Bugsworth Basin Ghost
Hidden away in a quiet Derbyshire village, is a canal basin which was once the largest and busiest inland port on the narrow canal system and the only one to survive intact. Today, it's popular with boaters and walkers.
A beautiful place to visit but with a hidden past of murder and a ghostly tale
Built in 1794, It was once a busy interchange with the Peak Forest Tramway, for the transport of limestone and burnt lime
But in 1898, John Cotton committed a gruesome murder that will remain deep in the areas history.
On the 26th October 1898 John Cotton, and his wife Hannah, had moored their canal boat up and taken themselves to the local Inn, The Rose and Crown. The locals and at the time landlord of the pub, Thomas Hayes, has commented on how Mr Cotton was very jealous if another male spoken to or shown interest in his wife.
After a quarrel the pair had began to return to their boat when once aboard and in the cabin the argument began again, Mr Cotton lost his temper and picked up a long iron poker and beat Mrs Cotton around the head repeatedly until she was blood soaked, lay moaning and dying on the deck. Standing over her dying body he mocked her and told her to shut up or he would throw her into the canal... which he did. Mrs Cotton was pulled from the water unconscious but sadly died from her injuries later without gaining consciousness.
This was witnessed by 3 school girls who gave reports to the police and the same day Mr Cotton was arrested for his wife's murder.
He was tried and executed on the 21st December 1898 at Derby Gaol. Making him the last person to be hung here!
It is said that the ghost of Hannah Cotton can be seen walking the banks of the canal Basin and also her spirit has been seen in the pub by the Basin, where she had her last drink.
The pub is now closed unfortunately but the basin is worth a visit on a lovely day or night, Where maybe you could see the spirit of the Bugsworth Basin Ghost Hannah Cotton.
Team Axiom