Grove Prison Museum Portland Dorset — Attraction in Portland

Visited today, very interesting place, lots of old photos & stories of inmates & staff. There's a very good book available to browse through or to buy. It also gives an idea of what life was like on the island back then. If you have a connection to the area this place is a must. You can get the No. 1 bus to the end of Grove Road & just walk along for about half a mile, you can't miss it. The staff there will tell you everything you want to know, & if you supply your relative's name they will find their records & email the information to you. John Hutton, who wrote the book actually, emailed me later with the information & a copy of my ancestor's work record. He must have done this from home in his own time, that's going above & beyond ! I highly recommend...

If driving and wanting to park- drive all the way up the end of the road (past the barriers on the right- you cannot get in there!)- turn sharp right, down the slight hill, and see the small overflow car park. (See photo) You can park in this bit, or on the 'slight downhill' road parallel to the cafe/ half on pavement .

Free Museum. Short on volunteers. Packed walls , but main resource is John the curator- get him telling you stories - best bit !

Email the 'sky' email address only - if you want to double check the hours (not g mail) , but I'd just give it a bash e en if unsure of hours- cracking view over the overgrown wall...

What a brilliant museum! Small but packed with information and managed by John - one of the most helpful curators I have met. A very friendly reception on arrival, John raising the barrier for my elderly mother needing disabled access. Once in, we were able to look at a multitude of photos and superb resources relating to the lives of prison inmates, employees and their families. Depending on volunteers, it is a real credit to the island. I hope it will be able to continue. Since our visit, John has kindly emailed additional information to...