jail tour uk

13 PRISON MUSEUMS YOU CAN VISIT IN THE UK

Want to explore the darker side of social history? These 13 old prisons in the UK have opened their doors to visitors and put their grisly pasts on display. You can learn about the most notorious of criminals, the wrongfully imprisoned, the executed and the terrible conditions many of them lived and died in. Several of these prisons offer events such as ghost tours or even sleepovers in the cells. Read on to find out more.

Dartmoor Prison, Princetown, Devon

Photograph © Brian Henley

One of England's most famous prisons, Dartmoor has been a prison for over 200 years, situated on the windswept and foggy moors.

It was built to hold prisoners of the Napoleonic War, who started arriving in 1809. By 1813 they were joined by American prisoners, and the prison soon became overcrowded, leading to outbreaks of contagious diseases and thousands of deaths. In the Victorian Era it held convicts who were considered the worst criminals in the land, although it now houses only Category C prisoners - those who are preparing for release.

The prison museum is not your typical modern museum with stark lighting, gleaming surfaces and sterile out-of-context exhibits. It is a quirky, slightly ramshackle place which makes it all the more appealing. Exhibits include objects made by the prisoners out of bone, prisoner and guard uniforms, cells, items with secret compartments for keeping contraband hidden, handmade weapons such as knuckle dusters, shivs and shanks made from toothbrushes.

It is fascinating in a rather dark way and the fact that there is a sign informing visitors that the museum is sometimes staffed by prisoners, adds an extra frisson of interest to the whole experience.

Dartmoor Prison Museum website >>

Shepton Mallet Prison, Shepton Mallet, Somerset

Shepton Mallet was built in 1610 when it was decided that the eastern part of Somerset should have their own House of Correction.

Men, women and children were all housed together for a variety of crimes, whether debtors, vagrants or just mentally unwell. Conditions were bad, with regular outbreaks of fever, jaundice, venereal diseases and many more unpleasant illnesses, with the bodies buried in unconsecrated ground just outside the prison.

Many executions were carried out in the prison whether by firing squad or hanging. Executioners included the famous Albert Pierrepoint, who executed about 600 people during his career. For World War II, the prison was used by the British and the American military, as well as safe storage for the National Archives from London, including the Magna Carta and the Domesday Book. The Kray Twins were held here in the 1950s after absconding from their national service.

The museum closed in 2013 and is now a tourist attraction, hosting not just sight seeing tours, but also ghost tours after hours, an escape room, and even the opportunity to spend the night behind bars, with free rein to explore the place at night.

Read about my Night Behind Bars at Shepton Mallet prison >>

Bodmin Jail, Bodmin, Cornwall

Photograph © Bodmin Jail Attraction

Built in 1779 on the edge of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, the prison was ground breaking in prison reform at the time, with individual cells, separate areas for men and women and prisoners paid for their work.

The prison was completely re-developed by 1861 and included a chapel and a debtors' jail, until 1869 when imprisonment for debt was abolished. From 1887, part of the jail was used by the Royal Navy, who were there until 1922. Over the years there were 55 executions on site, 8 of them being women.

The last prisoner left in 1916, and the jail was decommissioned in 1927.

The jail has been open as a tourist attraction for some time, but was recently overhauled and now has a lot to offer the visitor, including an immersive 'Dark Walk Experience', Ghost Tours, After Dark Tours, Scary Cinema and even a hotel being built in the site for visitors. The jail has the only original Victorian hanging pit left in the country (pictured), the Naval prison cells, an in depth look at the stories behind the administration of the prison and overall it looks like a fantastic place to visit.

Bodmin Jail Website >>

Shrewsbury Prison, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Photograph © Shrewsbury Prison

Built in 1793, Shrewsbury Prison was built to replace the prison in the castle, which was crumbling so badly that prisonners could escape by removing bricks from the walls. Known as 'the Dana' after Rev Edmund Dana, a local vicar and magistrate, the prison was a place of execution for many years, with public hangings which attracted large crowds.

The prison was decomissioned in 2013 and is now open to visitors, with a wide variety of tours and events on offer. Guided tours by ex-prison officers during the day or after dark, tours underground of the original prison, escape rooms, a 'prison break' event, nights spent in the cells, ghost hunting, live music, even axe throwing; it is all on offer here.

Shrewsbury Prison website >>

Clink Prison Museum, Southwark, London

There has been a prison on this site in Southwark, London from 1151. Owned by the Bishops of Winchester, the prison was part of the estate, and included heretics as well as local criminals.

No-one is quite sure how the Clink got its name - whether from the clinking of the chains the prisoners wore, or of the cell doors slamming shut, but it has now become a universal term for prisons.

This one became the most notorious of prisons, with massive amounts of corruption and prisoner degradation. By the 16th century, the prison largely held people who disagreed with the Bishops, and after that mainly held debtors. After a decrease in numbers, the prison burnt down in a riot in 1780 and was never rebuilt.

The museum is built on the original site, and contains just a single wall left from the original building. It covers over 600 years of history with a self-guided tour which looks at the assorted inmates, debauchery of the Southwark area and artefacts connected with the prison.

Read about a visit to the Clink Prison Museum >>

Littledean Jail, Gloucester

This one is best avoided by children and those of a sensitive disposition, as the warnings on their website will attest. Describing their museum as politically insensitive and bizarre, there is a huge rage of items on display. Exhibitions look at Witchfinders, Satanism, the SS and the Holocaust, the KKK, instruments of punishment and torture, police memorabilia and a whole host of other subjects. It is not all the dark side though, as their subject matters include the bravery of the SAS and people like Violette Szabo of the S.O.E .

Littledean Jail was built in 1791, and little has changed since it was first built. It has held all manner of prisoners, including children as young as 8, and is believed to be one of the most haunted prisons in the country. It was also used as a police station and a court for 20 years from 1854.

Read the website before you go to make sure you want to - reviews on Trip Advisor range from 'fantastic' to 'absolutely disgusting', so make sure you know what you are getting into.

Littledean Jail website >>

Gloucester Prison, Gloucester

Built in 1792 as a County Jail, this men's prison has been renovated and added to over the years, including the addition of a Young Offenders Wing in the 1970s.

It was the site of many an execution, with the last one taking place in 1936. By the early 2000s it had a reputation as being seriously overcrowded, as well as bad conditions for the inmates and subject to repeated flooding.

The prison closed in 2013 and its re-development is still under discussion. In the meantime however, it is open to the public for guided tours and a variety of events.

Visitors can take guided tours which are family friendly or which included more details on the executions, paranormal activity and violence. Various paranormal groups run ghost hunts in the prison, as do Salvation-Z - a live action Zombie survival experience, or combat games.

Read about a visit to Gloucester Prison >>

National Justice Museum, Nottingham

A Victorian Courtroom Photograph © National Justice Museum

The National Justice Museum is in a Grade II listed building, on a site which has been in use as a court since 1375 and a prison since 1449. The current building was a Victorian police station, gaol, courtroom and execution site, making it a one stop shop for the judicial process. Executions were held on the front steps of the building, with the last public execution held in 1864 of a Richard Parker, who shot both of his parents after a drunken row.

The building ceased use as prison in 1878, but continued as courts and the meeting place of the County Council until 1991. It opened as a museum in 1995 and objects on display include the cell door of p laywright Oscar Wilde, the bath from the Brides in the Bath murder case, gibbet irons, force feeding equipment used on Suffragettes and conscientious objectors and the dock from Bow Street Magistrates Court, which was used in notorious cases such as the trials of Oscar Wilde, Roger Casement and the Krays. T here are over 40 000 objects and archives, making it the UK’s largest collection relating to law, justice, crime and punishment.

National Justice Museum website >>

Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast

Built in 1845, 'the Crum' in North Belfast was a County Gaol for men, women and children, who were often imprisoned for offences such as stealing food and necessities.

Executions were carried out in public at the gaol until 1901, when an execution chamber was built inside. 17 executions were carried out in the prison, including the final one in all of Ireland in 1961. The prison had some well known prisoners from the Troubles, and two prisoners were killed when a IRA bomb went off in one of the wings. The prison closed in 1996.

The prison is now not just a tourist attraction, but hosts concerts, live events and party nights. Tourists can do the Crumlin Road Gaol Experience, a self-guided tour around the building which includes the tunnel linking the courthouse on the other side of the Crumlin Road to the hanging cell, the historic holding cells and the graveyard.

Read about visiting Crumlin Road Gaol >>

York Castle Prison, York

Photograph © Visit York

Part of York Castle Museum, there has been a prison on the site for nearly 1000 years, with a castle built for William the Conqueror in 1068, which included a prison.

The site is still in use for criminal justice, with York Crown Court held in the 18th century court and people are still held in cells here, including those accused of the most serious crimes.

The prison buildings were built in the 18th century, and visitors can explore the original cells. Conditions were terrible at the prison, with 15 to a cell sleeping on bare floors and living off bread and water. Many of the Keepers of the prison were as corrupt as the inmates, and they made as much money as they could off the prisoners. The most notorious prisoner held here was the legendary highwayman Dick Turpin, who was found guilty of his crimes at York Court and sentenced to death at the gallows.

The museum is part of a visit to York Castle Museum, which looks at many aspects of life in historic York.

York Castle Prison Museum website >>

Prison & Police Museum, Rippon

Photograph © Rippon Museums

There has been a prison on this site since 1684, when a Workhouse and House of Correction was established for putting the poor to work and punishing those who had broken the law. In 1816, it was incorporated into the new Liberty Prison, which is the current museum building. Prisoners were held in cells on the ground floor, with debtors on the floor above them. Inmates had to do hard labour and worked for 10 hours a day, walking the treadwheel amongst other tasks.

The prison later became the police station, until it became a museum in the 1980s, one of three in the area which also include a workhouse museum and the courthouse, giving a fantastic look at poverty and justice in the region. The prison museum includes a look at policing from the Anglo-Saxons onwards, as well as an exhibition in the prison cells about life in a Victorian prison.

Rippon Prison and Police Museum website >>

The Old Gaol Museum, Buckingham

Photograph © Buckingham Old Gaol

Built in 1748, this Gothic prison provided terrible conditions for the inmates, who lived in damp cells with no heating, lights or bathrooms, and who were fed on just bread and water.

The prison housed local convicts, although one in three were just poachers, often held for the smallest of crimes.

Over the years, the prison has been used as a Police Station, Fire Station, ammunition store and an air-raid shelter. Faced with demolition in the 1980s, the prison was bought by a charitable organisation, and it now houses the local museum as well as the Old Gaol.

The museum focuses on local history, spanning time from the Ice Age to World War I. It is also home to the Lenborough Hoard of 5,000 Anglo-Saxon silver coins as well as a permanent exhibition dedicated to Flora Thompson, author of Lark Rise to Candleford .

Buckingham Old Gaol Website >>

Dorchester Prison, Dorchester, Dorset

A Victorian prison built in 1885 on the site of a much older prison, Dorchester was closed in 2013 and is now awaiting its fate from developers.

In the meantime, you can take guided tours from Ed who is still a serving prison officer and who used to work there. He provides a fascinating insight into the life of this prison, showing you round this now crumbling site. There were several executions here, including that of Martha Brown who is said to still be haunting the prison, and whose execution was watched by Thomas Hardy, inspiring the hanging he wrote about in Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Visitors can also join paranormal nights and airsoft combat games within its walls.

Read more about visiting Dorchester Prison >>

Want to delve even deeper into prison history? Try the Prison History website which looks at UK prison history from 1500 - 1999.

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"A Captivating Journey Through History at Oxford Castle and Prison"

VishnuVishnu on TripAdvisor, May 2024

"Ellie our tour guide gave an excellent talk about the intriguing history of Oxford castle and prison. My love for history made me in awe of this place so i would definitely recommend. Brilliant tour guide and a must see place!"

Voyager28698569142 on TripAdvisor, May 2024

"The castle & prison wasn't huge but it was definitely worth it. We had kids from 8 years old and a teen and they both enjoyed it. I would recommend this tour to any family."

jamiet478 on TripAdvisor, June 2024

"Unexpected amazement, a must see place, a must learnt history and a total delight because of the people."

jolC3516OJ on TripAdvisor, June 2024

"One of my favorite tours in Oxford! Our tour guide, Anne, was enthusiastic, informative, and funny. The castle/prison has a fascinating history- so many of the stories were literally jaw dropping. 10/10 would recommend!!

316reaganb on TripAdvisor, June 2024

"Amazing events for children all year round, very kind & helpful staff."

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Oxford Castle & Prison 44-46 Oxford Castle, Oxford OX1 1AY

Heritage Projects (Oxford Castle) Ltd Registered in England No: 5763243 Registered Office: St. Edmund's House, Margaret Street, YORK, YO10 4UX

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Guided Tour

Walk in the footsteps of prisoners who have been residents of the wings during the last 200 years. Discover what happens behind the high walls and locked doors. Experience the hidden world of capital punishment and see first-hand where executions took place.

Join our tour guide who will shine a light on what life was really like for prisoners, officers and visitors. Your guide will bring the prison to life through a no holds barred tour of this historic and fascinating building.

Hightlights

• Access to all areas
• Interactive tours, ask questions learn about the history
• Car Park near, Toilets and Wi-Fi
• Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour time.
• Wrap up warm its cold in the prison
• Prison tours last for 1.5hours and cover approximately one mile.
• Shrewsbury Prison restaurant is open 10am - 5pm
• We regret we are unable to provide full site wheelchair access as this is an old building and we have steps. We do have a stair lift that can be used for those with limited mobility.
• Car parking is available opposite the prison

Ticket options

• Guided Tour - Adult Guided Tour - Adult £22.00 0 32 max
• Guided Tour - Child Guided Tour - Child £14.50 0 30 max
• Guided Tour - Senior Guided Tour - Senior £19.00 0 32 max
• Guided Tour - Student Guided Tour - Student £19.00 0 32 max

Ticket covers 2 adults and 2 children

Ticket covers 2 adults and 3 children

• Guided Tour - Disabled Guided Tour - Disabled £19.00 0 32 max
• Guided Tour - Blue Light Card Guided Tour - Blue Light Card £19.00 0 32 max

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• Days Out and Tours
• Guided Prison Tour for Two

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Spend some time behind bars for the world’s most interactive prison tour. For a fascinating insight into more than 400 years of history, you’ll follow an ex-prison officer (who once managed the very wings you’ll be walking) behind the scenes of at one of three historic prisons.

You’ll follow in the footsteps of those on the wrong side of the law. Starting your sentence, you’ll be processed through reception before heading out to the wings and into the general population. Visit never-before-seen areas of the prison, where you’ll learn about the inmates, daily life, visits and prison work as well as the grisly side of history complete with stomach-turning tales of execution.

If you’re feeling brave, there’s even the chance for a ‘Closed Cell’ experience, which involves entering cells and having the door locked behind you, hopefully the closest you’ll ever get to be a prisoner for real!

What's Included

• Go behind the scenes of a historic prison
• Led by an ex-prison officer
• Learn about the daily life and grisly history
• Opportunity to be locked in a cell
• Experience gift pack including personalised voucher and message card

What happens on the day?

On arrival, you’ll meet your ex-prison officer guide for your pre-booked tour of the prison.

Go behind the scenes and follow the journey of a general population inmate, from processing through to the cells.

Participant guidelines

• Minimum age: 16
• There is no wheelchair access on the tours
• Tours involve approximately one mile of walking and includes approximately 200 stairs
• The experience content, equipment used and restrictions may vary

Availability

Tours run Monday to Friday at 14.00 and Saturday and Sunday at 11.00 and 14.00 throughout the year. Exclusions may apply.

We recommend you book at least four weeks in advance to ensure that dates are available. All bookings are subject to availability.

Please allow 2 hours for the full experience

What about insurance?

The partners contracted with us hold public liability insurance. We also hold contingency liability cover. You will not be liable for accidental damage to equipment, except where damage has been caused as a result of recklessness or wilful negligence.

Please ensure you are familiar with the terms and conditions of the experience.

How it works

All you have to do is pay for the experience you wish to purchase and we’ll send a voucher and booking information to you or directly to the recipient, then you just need to check the info and book your experience.

Customer Reviews

out of 5 stars

Based on 119 reviews

Find out what others have to say about this experience

This was a really good experience. The guide was very informative and engaging. I thoroughly recommend.

Birthday surprise

The tour was very informative and supplemented by a very engaging guide named Paul. A very chastening experience

Excellent day Graham our tour guide was lovely and very knowledgeabl e

Brilliant tour

Our guide Jeffery was fabulous- informative, funny and told us everything we wanted to know - mainly the gory stuff! We will recommend this tour to everyone. It wasn't rushed and we had a nice amount of time to look at everything.

Great day out

A very informative experience. So sorry to hear this might be closing due to low funding.

Great guide!

Our guided tour was packed full of information that was delivered in a clear and easy to understand manner. Any questions were answered thoroughly, the prison itself is in good condition so allows you to get a real feel for what it may have been like to be behind bars! Guides name was Graham(Ex prison guard with plenty of knowledge and experience!)

Interesting and surprisingly fun!

Great guide Graham made the tour of a bleak place very informative . He gave lots of information in an engaging way. Great afternoon out

Brilliant day out!

Very informative. Graham our guide was brilliant and had great knowledge. Very interesting but very cold! Get wrapped up warm

Bought the tour for my husband as he loves this sort of thing and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience, the two tour guides had so many fascinating stories and facts to tell you as you went round this huge prison, some hits spooky though!!!, Would highly recommend if your into this sort of thing.

Shrewsbury prison is a great day out

Our trip to prison

Interesting afternoon with a knowledgeable and friendly guide

Shrewsbury Prison Break!

Brilliant tour of HMP Shrewsbury! Tour guide Graham was really interesting and anecdotal having worked there for many years. Highly recommended!

Throughly Enjoyed the experience

We had a thoughly enjoyable 2 hour experience, you must go. Graham (our tour guide) is very knowledgable as a retired prison warden he truly made our experience come to life. We would truly recommend this tour.

Guided prison tour for two at Shepton Mallet

Great tour of the prison by guide Jason who was extremely well informed, very interesting with many little nuggets of information.

Brilliant few hours

We did the guided tour and Maurice was great. Found it difficult to find the entrance as it wasn’t that well signposted from the side we parked on! Another couple were also trying to find the entrance at the time we were! Prison is almost entirely open to look around which was fantastic!

Shepton Mallet prison

We had a very interesting tour of the prison made even better by Jason who was very knowledgeable. A good experience.

Informative and very entertaining, would recommend as a great day out

Had a wonderful day, did guided tour learned a lot

Louise&Jack

Brilliant from start to finish. Excellent friendly staff, especially our tour guide graham. Very very informative, whilst keeping it interesting and a great humour! Would return again, was worth the trip and the money. My partner thoroughly enjoyed his “random” Xmas Gift. Many thanks once again

Well worth a visit

A very informative and enjoyable experience. Liz our guide was excellent and very knowledgeable. Would recommend this experience to others.

Big thumbs up 👍🏻

Absolutely fascinating tour. Our guide Jeremy was very informative and engaging, learnt lots about the history of the prison and some brilliant stories about inmates that had been there! Would definitely recommend.

Jenny & Jade

Excellent experience

The guided tour was amazing our guide Paul was so interesting told us some great facts about the prison and prisoners a great couple of hours would 100% recommend one tip take warm clothing inside the prison is very cold enjoy 😊

Shrewsbury prison, decommissioned and turned into a tourist attraction. Excellent tour by Paul the ex screw. Very knowledgeable and told some good tales of past inmates.

Excellent tour and tour guide

I was bought this tour as a gift - it's the sort of thing I like so I was really looking forward to it. We had a great tour guide going by the name of Paul. He told great stories and had great knowledge. He was very captivating. The prison feeling was there. It was nice to be able to roam around after the official to take photos and have another look around. Highly recommended.

Really interesting and very immersive.

We had Monica show us around and it was only a small group of 9 people. She knew a lot about the prison and answered all the questions the group had with a great level of detail.

We were looked adter by Liz, and she was great. We all had a great time; I must admit I was only going to tag along, but glad I did, I would highly recommend it.

William Stevenson

Very good from start to finish Excellent knowledgeable guide

Guided Prison tour

Our guide was amazing very knowledgeable and friendly, really enjoyed the tour will be returning!

We came with an open mind not really knowing what to expect. But the tour guide was funny and informative and answered many questions from the guests. It lasts just short of two hours, but wrap up warm as it's next level cold in the prison.

Shrewsbury Prison

A really interesting trip round Shrewsbury Prison. We were taken round by a most knowledgeable guide, who was an ex-prison officer. He had a lifetime of experience and stories to tell which made the visit enjoyable.

Great Experience

Excellent tour of the prison, led by Liz, who was able to talk about all aspects of the running of the prison. Very interesting and informative. All the staff we met were really great!

Fab Prison tour!

Fab guided prison tour from start to finish. The recollection and stories from the ex-prison guard was fantastic! Highly recommended

Great day out and valie for money. Very interesting prison which has a lot of history. The guide was very energetic and very knowledgeable being an ex-guard himself. Highly recommended.

Excellent experience!

Really good tour..Graham, our guide, is an ex prison guard who worked at the prison when it was functioning so he really knew his stuff and was very captivating as a guide, gave a real insight into the everyday life of a prisoner. A fascinating few hours and highly recommended!

Chris & Sam Rabone

Informative and enjoyable

Had an excellent day at the prison and learned lots...tour guide was great and worth every penny

Shepton Mallet prison tour

Excellent, informative and engaging tour guide (Maurice) made this birthday present truly memorable, the downpour outside notwithstanding!

Passionate tour guide

Really enjoyed the experience it was very interesting and the guide delivered the tour with such passion and you could tell he was proud of his job. Loved the stories and the fact we could walk around freely after the tour to view different parts of the prison. Would recommend! Well done Maurice

An Experience

The 'Prison Tour' exceeded my expectations .

The Shrewsbury prison guided tour for two was an excellent day out! Well worth it! The tour was fun, informal and informative. Would definitely recommend

Very Interesting

Shepton Mallet prison much better than what I expected. The guide which was a woman was very knowledgeable and engaging. Stories were told with enthusiasm and factual.

Great interesting few hours out

Monica was great as our prison tour guide. Realy interesting stories behind the place. Great to see the Krays cell aswel. Its a shame it maybe converted into flats potentially one day.

Such an interesting experience, our guide didn't fail to keep us interested, as an ex prison officer, he was full of facts and knowledge of The Dana. Shocking to know that the prison only ceased operation 7 years ago, and of the conditions prisoners faced on a daily basis. Would definitely recommend this experience to others.

Me and my partner went to the prison tour, this was honestly one of the best days out we have ever had. Such a brilliant experience and an amazing eye opener to see, would recommend this tour anytime.

Very informative

Great value as the tour was 2hrs and our tour guide was very informative I think his name was Mick? (Sorry I’m rubbish at remembering names). It was very cold as said in a lot of reviews but I expected that being a disused Victorian prison! Definitely recommend

Brilliant day!

Was a great experience, would highly recommended. Your guides are do informative and fun, we loved it

Fascinating insight into the inside

A well paced tour by a likeable and thoroughly informed guide.

Fascinating experience

Felicity the your guide was incredibly knowledgeable and so interesting to listen to. The prison itself is just the right side of eiree It was absolutely freezing inside but still a brilliant experience for those interested. We could have easily spent a further few hours looking at all the information and different buildings, but we had a restaurant booking. We will definitely be back to explore more.

A well delivered tour byan ex screw, Keith, who delivered the tour very well. Excellent

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2 locations across the UK

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West Midlands

• Shrewsbury, Shropshire
• Shepton Mallet, Somerset
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TOP RATED JAIL TOURS Crime & Punishment Prison Tours

INMATES WANTED Plan your visit to Stirling Jail

We’ve been touring for the last 4 weeks, and this was, hands down, the finest tour we’ve taken. Another reason to go to Stirling!

Stirling Old Town Jail is a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award winner, proudly claiming its spot as the top-rated, family-friendly, and truly entertaining independent visitor attraction in the heart of Stirling’s Old Town. Join us for a tour that’ll have you begging for parole – or at least a second helping of our criminal charm and prison reform wisdom!

Opening Times:

We are open daily with live performance tours departing every 30mins between 10.15am and 6pm (last tour at 5.15pm).

Following your performance tour you can continue to explore the Jail with our audio handsets (or download the free app) to learn more about the history of the Jail. Visit the cells on the ground floor before heading to the Exercise Yard which is of course located – yes, you guessed it – on the roof! From here you will continue to our observation tower for breath-taking views of the Old Town, Ochils, Trossachs… on a clear day you can see as far as Edinburgh’s Forth Road Bridges! Our family friendly  Escape Rooms are also available.

The whole experience lasts between 45 and 90 minutes and is popular with all ages.

Arrive up to five minutes before your booking time and check out our useful pointers below.

• It’s ok to take photos during your performance tour
• Download our free App before you get here
• Relaxed tours available at lunchtime daily – view our accessibility guide here
• Child friendly – not too scary but let us know if you’re nervous
• Please make the team aware of any additional needs
• Dog friendly – well behaved dogs are welcome in the attraction
• Tours run continually throughout each day
• It’s best to book ahead – but you can book on arrival too
• We have free parking, baby changing and accessible toilets
• We have luggage storage onsite
• Find out how to get here
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16 Best Prison Museums To Visit in the UK

by Louise Humphries

Last Updated on June 7, 2023

In the UK, there are numerous prison museums. These historical tourist attractions explore the darker side of the UK’s history.

Most were converted from former prisons to museums quite recently. Many offer guided tours.

Discover how criminals were punished for their crimes in the past. Hear tales of inmates who were unjustly imprisoned. Learn about the daily life of prisoners. Find out what they ate, how they exercised and the conditions in which they lived. Listen to stories of how criminals were executed and see where it happened.

As well as guided tours, many prison museums offer other events such as paranormal investigations and airsoft games.

Read on to discover the top prison museums in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Island.

Table of Contents

Shrewsbury Prison

The first prison building on the site in Shrewsbury was opened to prisoners in 1793. There were 204 cells (179 for men and 25 for women). Many public executions took place here.

The first execution at the new gaol took place on Saturday, the 15th of August 1795, when John Smith, aged 25, was hanged for stealing 10 cotton handkerchiefs in the shop of John Miner. The last public hanging was of 30 year old Edward Cooper who was executed for murder in 1863. From 1902 and to 1961, there were 8 executions that took place inside the prison.

The prison still standing housed 330 men and 22 women across two wings. The last prisoners vacated the prison in 2013

Today you can embark on a guided tour with a former prison officer. Hear tales of the crimes committed by the inmates and daily life inside the prison.

See the processing areas where prisoners arrived, step into the exercise yard and experience the execution room.

Book Your Visit online at Shrewsbury Prison .

Bodmin Jail, Cornwall

Bodmin Jail was built in 1779. The history of the prison is gruesome, overseeing over 55 public hangings, 8 of them women for crimes which included murder, rape and stealing.

It was the first prison to hold prisoners in individual cells. The last male prisoner left the prison in 1916 and it was officially closed in 1927.

Bodmin Jail has undergone a major refurbishment with part of it being turned into a hotel. If you’ve visited in the past, it may be time to go back.

Gloucester Prison

Gloucester Prison opened in 1791.

It has a fascinating if gruesome history, over 123 people were executed there.

In the modern era, HMP Gloucester was classified as a Category B adult male local prison and young offenders institution. It was intended to hold mainly those on remand or newly sentenced and waiting to be sent to another prison.

It was closed in 2013 due to overcrowding.

A guided tour is highly recommended. Learn about the daily life of the prisoners and be informed about the technical aspects of hanging. Gruesome stuff. There are 3 daily tour times. The 5.30pm tour isn’t recommended for kids under 14, so make sure you choose the right one.

Today there are many other regular events that you can go to there. They include a paranormal investigation with haunted happenings event and airsoft games!

Oxford Castle and Prison

Oxford Castle and Prison is over 1000 years old. It was built after the Norman invasion in 1066 by Norman baron Robert O’Doyly.

Over time the Castle transformed from castle to a prison. It closed its doors to prisoners in 1996 and is now a tourist attraction.

To get the best out of a visit to Oxford castle and prison, book a guided tour. A costumed guide shows you around the prison.

See the prisoner cells, hear tales of the prisoners and discover how a prison worked for children in bygone times.

Enjoy the thrill of the 100 stair climb up a winding staircase to the top of the tower, where the views are excellent.

Shepton Mallet Prison, Somerset

Shepton Mallet Prison was built in 1625 and closed in 2013. In the early years, prison conditions were grim. Men, women and children were housed together. They weren’t separated by seriousness of their crime. Gaolers weren’t paid. They earned money doing things like selling alcohol to inmates. Promiscuous and drunken behaviour were common. Outbreaks of diseases and fever occurred regularly.

The Victorian era led to different types of punishment such as hard labour and separating and silencing prisoners. Seven executions took place here between 1889 and 1926. The bodies were buried in the prison grounds where they remain today.

In World War 2 the prison became a British Military Prison and was then taken over by the US army. Hundreds of US servicemen were imprisoned here. 18 US soldiers were killed either by firing squad or hanging during this time.

After the war, the prison one again held civilians. At one time the Krays were held here. It finally closed its doors on 18th March 2013.

Clink Prison Museum

The Clink Prison dates back to 1144 making it one of England’s oldest and most notorious prisons. It held prisoners for over 500 years. In 1780 it was burned down in a riot and was never rebuilt.

The museum today is built on the original site. Just one wall remains from the original prison.

The museum is on the gory side and is a great way to bring history to life.

See the torture devices and read the information boards with more in-depth details. View archaeological artefacts, experience the sights, sounds and smells of the prison and hear stories of torment and misfortune of the inmates.

It is a quick attraction to visit. Allow at least an hour, but you might get around even quicker.

Dartmoor Prison Museum

Dartmoor Prison has been a prison for over 200 years.

It has a fascinating history. It’s first prisoners in 1809 were prisoners of war from the Napoleonic War.

In Victorian times, it housed criminals of some of the worst crimes.

One of the most famous prisoners at Dartmoor was Frank Mitchell (the ‘Mad Axeman’). He escaped but was never recaptured. It last transpired he was murdered by the Krays.

Today Dartmoor is still a prison. It holds low category prisoners who live in single cells. The aim is to reform the prisoners and they are encouraged to go on training courses to help them on release.

The museum itself is small but packed with well curated exhibits and information. To get the most out of your visit reading the information is required. There are some fascinating things to see including prisoner contraband and weapons.

Lancaster Castle

Lancaster Castle dates back to Roman times and has served many functions. It was originally a medieval fortress but over the years the castle has also welcomed numerous Royal visitors and served as a hub of justice with courtrooms, dungeons and a prison.

The castle has been a prison in one capacity or another from the 12th century until 21st Century. HMP Lancaster, a Category C prison was operational right up until March 2011.

Visitors can explore the castle’s extensive grounds and visit the former prison cells. It’s worth taking a guided tour to make the most of your visit. Guided tours of the Castle include visits to its 18th century cells, Pentonville-style male penitentiary, dedicated debtors’ prison area and female penitentiary

The castle and prison has a grim but fascinating history. One notable aspect is Lancaster Castle’s association with the infamous Pendle Witch Trials of 1612. The trials involved the persecution and execution of several individuals accused of witchcraft in the nearby Pendle Hill area. The accused were held in Lancaster Castle before and during their trials, and ten of them were ultimately found guilty and sentenced to death.

It was also the first prison to segregate inmates by age and gender.

At the time of writing (May 2023) part of the castle is closed to visitors due to updating a fire alarm system. However, Limited tours, lasting 30 minutes, take place throughout the day but only cover the external courtyards and one of the prison buildings.

Find out more at Lancaster Castle .

Inveraray Jail, Argyle, Scotland

A visit to Inveray Jail is a great family day out. The building houses both a courtroom and a jail

Travel back into the 1800s. Hear stories of men, women and children who were tried and served sentences there.  Some of the children were as young as 7. Learn about how grim conditions were and find out the punishments they faced.

The history is fascinating. The details such as the prisoner names, numbers, ages and dates of the stories really bring the inmates to life.

Costumed jail officers walk around and you can ask them questions about what life was like

The National Justice Museum, Nottingham

The National Justice Museum shows the history of crime and punishment from medieval times up to the modern day  At one time, it was a one stop shop for criminals. It acted as a Victorian police station, gaol, courtroom and execution site. There are many real prison cells to see that span a long period of history.

Public executions were held on the front steps of the building. Richard Parker was the last person to be executed on the front steps. His crime was murdering his parents after a drunken row.

Today you can book online and visit the museum’s original courtrooms, prison cells and dungeon.

Exhibits include prisoner and prisoner office uniforms throughut the 20th century. Also see objects such as the balustrade from Strangeways prison during the 1990 riot.

Ruthin Gaol, Wales

Ruthin Gaol was closed in 1916. There has been a gaol on the site since the end of the 1700s. It was small but grew from having just 4 cells to being able to hold 37 inmates in 1837. By the end of the 1800s a new four story building was in place that held over 100 prisoners.

One execution took place here. William Hughes was hanged for murdering his wife in 1903.

A famous escapee was John Jones, known as Coch Bach y Bala. He escaped twice. Once by climbing out of a window using a rope made of bedsheets! He was recaptured both times.

Today you can visit Ruthin Gaol. Discover what life was like for prisoners. Learn about their daily routines, what they ate, how they worked and the punishments they suffered (sometimes for stealing an apple!) Visit the condemned cell. Experience the ‘smells’. Hear the tales of its most colourful prisoners.

Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, Northern Ireland

The first 106 inmates of Crumlin Road Gaol , were forced to walk from Carrickfergus Prison in chains in 1846. These inmates, were men, women and children. Children from poor families were often imprisoned for offences such as stealing food. Sadly, thirteen-year-old Patrick Magee, who had been sentenced to three months, hanged himself in his cell in 1858.

Public executions were carried out here until 1901. The last hangings took place in 1961.

Some well known prisoners included Éamon de Valera, Martin McGuinness, Michael Stone and Bobby Sands. Two prisoners were killed in 1991 when a IRA bomb went off in one of the wings.

The gaol closed its doors as a prison in 1996.

Dorchester Prison

Dorchester Prison was built in 1795.

The last public hanging that took place outside Dorchester prison was of Elizabeth Martha Brown a grocer aged 45 and mother of 2. She was convicted of the murder of her husband John Brown. She was said to have attacked him with an axe after he took a whip to her. The execution was said to have been witnessed by the writer, Thomas Hardy, who was 16 at the time. He later wrote 70 years later that he was ashamed to have been there.

Later Dorchester prison incarcerated only men. The prison was closed in 2013.

Today, you can go on a guided tour lead by a former prisoner officer, Eddie.

Peterhead Prison Museum, Scotland

Peterhead Prison operated between 1888 and 2013. It was designed to hold 208 prisoners who were sentenced to hard labour. In reality numbers averaged more than 350 with a peak of 455 in 1911.

Known as Scotland’s toughest jail, Peterhead Prison had a history of poor conditions for prisoners.

In 1987, there was a hostage situation where an officer was held on the roof for 4 days. The SAS were called in to end the siege.

The Tower of London

Although not it’s primary use, The Tower of London served as a prison throughout most of it’s fascinating history with some very famous inmates.

Its use as a prison began in the 1100s, during the reign of King Henry I and continued until as recently as the mid 20th century.

During the medieval period, the Tower of London was primarily used to imprison high-profile individuals, such as nobles, members of the royal family, and religious figures. Many of these prisoners were held for political reasons, such as treason or plotting against the monarchy. The Tower was also used to hold prisoners of war.

One of the most famous prisoners of the Tower was Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII. She was accused of adultery, treason, and incest and was held at the Tower before her execution in 1536. Other notable prisoners included Sir Thomas More, Queen Elizabeth I before she became queen, and Guy Fawkes, who was involved in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

Prisoners were held in various parts of the Tower, including the Bloody Tower, the Wakefield Tower, and the Beauchamp Tower. Some were held in relatively comfortable conditions, while others were subjected to harsh treatment, torture, and execution.

The Tower of London was still being used as a prison in the early part of the 20th century. Inmates during this time included Nazi criminals Rudolph Heiss and Josef Jacobs (the last person to be executed at the Tower). In 1952, the Kray twins were also imprisoned at the Tower for a few days. 

The Victorian Prison in Lincoln Castle

If you visit Lincoln Castle, there is Victorian prison inside. The prison has a fascinating history.

Men, women and children as young as eight were held here from 1848 to 1878 for crimes ranging from stealing a waistcoat and Bible, to highway robbery and murder. There were 7 hangings of murderers here. Their bodies were buried in the Lucy Tower where they remain til this day.

Many of the prisoners were segregated from other prisoners to help them reflect on their actions and reform their behaviour.

A visit here is very interactive. Dress up as a prisoner or member of staff. Explore the cells. Imagine the solitude of the single cell, the chaos of the crowded cell, and the desperation of the dark cell.

Find out more at Lincoln Castle

Littledean Jail

Littledean Jail is a former prison located in the village of Littledean, Gloucestershire. Built in 1791, its was originally a debtors’ prison. Later, it became a house of correction and a police station.

Conditions within the prison were often harsh and overcrowded, with little regard for the welfare of the inmates.

In 1968, Littledean Jail was closed as a prison and subsequently fell into disrepair. However, in the 1980s, the jail was converted into a museum and tourist attraction, with exhibitions featuring the history of crime and punishment in England. Today it’s more of a crime museum than a prison.

The museum is known for its collection of curiosities, including taxidermy animals, shrunken heads, and other oddities. Some of the exhibits focus on dark and unsettling topics such as Fred and Rose West, Witchfinders, Satanism, the SS and the Holocaust, Myra Hindley and the KKK. As you can see the exhibits are controversial, with some visitors expressing concern over the ethics of some of the displays. More light-hearted displays include the Quadrophenia exhibition, Princess Diana letters and the heroics of the SAS.

It’s certainly not a museum for everybody (definitely not for myself). However if you’re interested in crime and dark history, it could be worth a visit. Check out the website and read reviews of this one before you visit to see if it’s for you.

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Crumlin Road Gaol Experience, Events, Weddings & Venue Hire

Visitor Attraction Northern Ireland

CRUMLIN ROAD GAOL TOURS

SELF-GUIDED GAOL EXPERIENCE

Discover over 150 years of history and follow in the footsteps of over 25,000 prisoners as you make the journey through Northern Ireland’s only remaining Victorian Era prison. The interactive self-guided tour will allow you to explore the building’s colourful past and gain a unique and memorable insight into the daily lives and routines of both prisoners and prison officers over the Gaol’s existence, learning about the Gaol’s history including when women and children were imprisoned, the executions that were carried out, its more recent history and learn about why the decision was taken to close the prison.

“Self-Guided Crumlin Road Gaol Experience” is a unique self-guided tour, which includes video, audio, and holograms throughout the site.

As part of your visit, you will have the opportunity to explore different areas of the Gaol including:

• The Tunnel.
• Historic Holding Cells.
• Gaol Circle.
• Condemned Cell.
• Hangman’s Cell.
• Sanger / Matrons House.
• Wessex Helicopter

You will gain a unique and memorable insight into the daily lives and routines of both prisoners and staff.

View Experience Map

Opening / Closing Times 

First Admission: 10:00am

Last Admission: 4:00pm

AUDIO GUIDES AVAILABLE IN: FRENCH, GERMAN, MANDARIN & SPANISH

English also available, however is not essential for the self-guided tour.

Please note when using the audio guides, card details will be required on arrival.

SIGN LANGUAGE VIDEO GUIDES AVAILABLE IN: BSL

Sign Language guides are free of charge for anyone who needs them.

Please note when using the sign language guides, card details will be required on arrival.

INFORMATION AND TERMS

• Suitable warm clothing and flat shoes must be worn.
• The main entrance to the Gaol is via the Gate House on the Crumlin Road.
• Coaches & Cars may enter the site via the Summer Street entrance and follow the appropriate traffic management signs.
• Admission tickets can be purchased on the day but we advise pre-booking to avoid disappointment.
• We recommend that you arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes prior to the tour time, to enable tickets to be checked or to be purchased (non-groups).

*60-90 minute duration based on visitors exploring all areas of the Gaol, reading the information boards and watching the videos around the site.

For groups of 15 people or more, please email our group booking team at [email protected] or contact their office on 02890741500

Please note all tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable 

WELCOME TO CLINK PRISON MUSEUM  

The Clink Prison dates back to 1144 making it one of England’s oldest and most notorious prisons. Positioned in the heart of modern-day Southwark and built on the original site, The Clink Prison Museum presents the scandalous truth of Old Bankside through a hands-on educational experience. There are opportunities to view archaeological artefacts, experience the sights, sounds and smells of the prison, handle torture devices, and to view and hear all about the tales of torment and many misfortunes of the inmates of the infamous Clink Prison.

Spanning for over 600 years, it witnessed a remarkable amount of social and political change in England, and thus housed a multitude of sinners throughout its existence, including debtors, heretics, drunkards, harlots, and later religious adversaries. Positioned in the heart of modern day Southwark, the prison was situated in an area that has long been associated with more raucous, vivacious and unruly behaviour; it was the louder, ruder and wickeder neighbour to The City, and a place where Londoners sought entertainment.

EXPLORE THE PRISON THAT GAVE ITS NAME TO ALL OTHERS!

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• Prison Ghost Tour for Two Adults 
• Knowledgeable tour guides
• Investigate what lurks behind the high prison walls
• Hear about the sinister side of jail life and sightings of legendary spirits

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Come and investigate to see what lurks behind the high prison walls in the dead of night with this Prison Ghost Tour for Two Adults.

Our guide to Prison Ghost Tour for Two - Experience Voucher

Led by knowledgeable tour guides, you’ll be guided by torchlight as you delve into the ghostly world of spirits. Experience the strange silence that fills the ground and the damp walls carrying only the faintest echo of what’s left behind as your guide shares ghost tales, legends, and spooky encounters that regularly occur.

Heading into the depths of this historic building, listen in horror as you’re told the sinister side of jail life including torture, murder, and hangings. Learn about one of the most legendary spirits the “White Lady”, explore unmarked graves, and maybe even catch a glimpse of the hand of Ronnie Kray.

What happens on the day?

On arrival, you’ll meet your knowledgeable guide ready for your ghost tour of the prison by torchlight. You'll be taken into the depths of the prison to listen to the sinister side of the jail and learn about the spirits that may remain.

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Terms and conditions for prison ghost tour for two - experience voucher.

• Minimum age: 12 (under 18's must be accompanied by a participating adult) 
• Sadly, the vast majority of the site is not accessible to those unable to manage a small number of stairs.
• There is a disabled toilet located in Visits. 
• The experience content, equipment used, and restrictions may vary
• Tours run every Wednesday at 6.30 pm and 8.30 pm throughout the year. Exclusions may apply.
• We recommend you book at least four weeks in advance to ensure that dates are available. All bookings are subject to availability. 
• Please allow 1 hour and 30 minutes for the full experience
• Please do not book your transportation until you have confirmed your date of visit because the experience is subject to availability.
• Cancellation Policy : Experience vouchers can be cancelled with a full refund if cancelled within 30 days of purchase. Experience vouchers are non-refundable after 30 days of purchase and 100% cancellation charges will apply. Please note: A refund cannot be given for a Voucher that has been partially used.

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Jane’s Addiction cancel tour after on-stage bust-up as Perry Farrell speaks out

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Jane’s Addiction have canceled their latest tour following the onstage fight that broke out between singer Perry Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro at a show last Friday (September 13).

Footage captured Farrell lunging at Navarro during their show in Boston, bumping Navarro with his shoulder before taking a swing at him. The show ended shortly after.

In a brief statement issued Monday (September 16), the band said: “The band have made the difficult decision to take some time away as a group. As such, they will be cancelling the remainder of the tour.”

There had been 15 dates left on the band’s “Imminent Redemption” tour, including a show in Connecticut on Sunday night.

In a separate statement to The Independent , Farrell added: “This weekend has been incredibly difficult and after having the time and space to reflect, it is only right that I apologize to my bandmates, especially Dave Navarro, fans, family and friends for my actions during Friday’s show.

“Unfortunately, my breaking point resulted in inexcusable behavior, and I take full accountability for how I chose to handle the situation.”

The band had earlier shared a statement to their Instagram Stories apologizing to fans who had witnessed the fracas in Boston : “We want to extend a heartfelt apology to our fans for the events that unfolded last night.

“As a result we will be cancelling tomorrow night’s [Sunday 15 September] show in Bridgeport. Refunds will be issued at your point of purchase, or if you purchased via a third-party reseller (StubHub, SeatGeek etc) reach out to them directly.”

On Saturday (14 September) Farrell’s wife, Etty Lau Farrell, claimed that the altercation between him and Navarro occurred after mounting tension during the tour over issues with sound.

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“Perry’s frustration had been mounting. Night after night, he felt that the stage volume had been extremely loud and his voice was being drowned out by the band,” she wrote on Instagram.

Etty Farrell claimed that Farrell “lost it” after the audience in the first row began complaining to him that the band was too loud and they couldn’t hear him, at which point he turned on Navarro.

She claimed that, after Farrell took a swing at Navarro, bassist Eric Avery put her husband in a “headlock and punched him in the stomach three times.”

“Eric, well he either didn’t understand what descalation [sic] meant or took advantage of the situation and got in a few cheap shots on Perry,” she wrote.

“Perry was a crazed beast for the next half an hour... he finally did not calm down, but did breakdown and cried and cried.”

A review of the band’s earlier show in Tampa, Florida, hinted at brewing tensions between Farrell and Navarro.

“Farrell launched into many nonsensical rants about cow pastures, mushrooms, surfing, living in Florida, and arguing with his brother about politics,” while “chugging from a full bottle of wine throughout the performance,” Creative Loafing reported.

“At one point, during one of his ramblings, Navarro deliberately cranked out a loud, piercing chord on his guitar, as almost to silence Farrell and get the show back on track.”

Perry had also expressed frustration over apparent vocal issues at the first of the band’s two New York shows, confessing: “Ladies and gentlemen, I have to be honest with you. Something’s wrong with my voice. I just can’t get the notes out all of a sudden.”

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