Shepton Mallet Prison — Attraction in Shepton Mallet

Me and my boyfriend was gifted a night behind bars experience for our birthdays. What an experience it was. Arrived at the prison car park and parked up, gathered all our belongings we needed for our night behind bars. We waited outside the gate to be let in. Once the gate was open we was checked in and paid £3 for the parking which was for the whole night, the car park we parked in had cctv so felt very safe leaving my car there over night. We then waited in the visitor centre to be given a a health and safety talk. Once that was completed we was shown to the B wing where we will be spending the night. We we’re allocated our cell and had a bit of free time before the guided tour so unpacked and blew up the air beds for the night. Had a little explore before heading to the visitors centre to have a drink or two before the tour. Everyone that we spoke to who was taking part in the night was so kind and excited for what the night may bring. All the group was gathered for the tour. Due to the large group we was split into 2 groups, our lovely tour guide was Felicity who was very informative and knowledgeable of the history and experiences of the prison. Once the tour was over we we’re free to explore or ghost hunt. We spend most of our time exploring (the wings are very dark and would highly recommend taking a torch) the prison itself is a very big place with lots of rooms to look in. Also as you go around there are information bords about the prison and the history of it. We unfortunately didn’t experience anything paranormal (but I’m okay with that). The staff that we’re on shift were amazing and so kind and lovely, they really made the experience for us, so just wanted to say a massive thank you to; Nic Porter, Jo Diamond, Kate Midgely, Ann Morris, Felicity Day (our wonderful tour guild) and Jeremy. Was definatly worth the travel from York. 100% would recommend and would 1000% look...

What an incredible and haunting experience! Shepton Mallet Prison offers a fascinating glimpse into centuries of British criminal justice history. The guided tours are outstanding—passionate, knowledgeable guides who masterfully bring the past to life with captivating stories and well-researched historical facts. They transform cold stone corridors into vivid scenes that make history feel immediate and real. The preserved cells and facilities are genuinely chilling yet captivating. Walking through the wings, you feel the weight of history in every corridor. The execution chamber tour is particularly moving and thought-provoking, handled with appropriate sensitivity and respect. The building is remarkably well-preserved, offering authentic insights into prison life across different eras—from its military prison days through both World Wars to housing Britain's most notorious criminals. Every corner reveals another layer of Britain's evolving approach to crime and punishment. Excellent value for money. The gift shop offers interesting historical items, and the ghost tours and special events add an extra atmospheric dimension for those wanting something different. Perfect for history enthusiasts, criminology buffs, or anyone who appreciates unique, authentic historical experiences. Educational, atmospheric, and genuinely unforgettable. A must-visit Somerset landmark—highly...

My partner has always had an interest in anything prison related, so decided a trip to Shepton Mallet prison was in order. We arrived and parked easily in the on-site parking and walked just round the corner to the prison entrance. We made our way to the reception and were just in time for a guided tour, well worth it in my opinion. Our guide Jeremy was fantastic! He really knew his stuff and made us feel really welcome. He shared so many facts and stories about the prison that you would probably walk right past if he hadn’t pointed them out or told us about them. The tour was about 2 hours long and gave a great overview of what happened there over the years, there is so much to see and explore. Once the guided tour was over we had another hour or two walking round the prison, reading all the fact boards and looking in some of the places we talked about on the tour. There are so many corridors, cells and other hidden gems to see. This worked really well as we could go at our own pace and soak it all in, also perfect for getting some photos too. After all, it’s not every day you get to see the inner workings of a prison! Not unless you’re very naughty!

Fantastic day out! Well worth a visit!

The ladies on the reception and Jeremy the tour guide made it a day we won’t forget any time...