Bodmin Jail

Bodmin Jail was built in 1778 to house criminals from throughout the county of Cornwall. It was the first jail known to hold inmates in individual cells and was notorious for the public executions by hanging, which took place outside the jail until 1862. These were extremely popular events, attended by large crowds. After 1862, the executions continued within the jail until 1909.

The large 18th century jail structure towers above the car park. In fact, even the first sight is enough to make anyone shiver a little, but the shivers increase as one enters the jail and walks down the stairs. The air cools even further in the gloomy underground passages, through which hundreds of prisoners have passed.

Bodmin Jail's dark and sinister past has made it popular with tourists and ghost-hunters alike. Today, the jail is a museum, open to the public. There is information about notable prisoners, giving descriptions of their crimes and with details of the sentences they were given. It is possible to visit the condemned cell and to see some rather grisly exhibits of the former inmates of Bodmin Jail. During the First World War, both the Crown Jewels and the Domesday Book were stored here.

The prison finally closed in 1927 and since then has become a popular tourist attraction Its dramatic history has brought it to the attention of paranormal investigators and it was recently a location for a television series about the most haunted places in Britain.

There are various facilities on the site including a bar, restaurant and gift shop. The jail is open from 10 am until dusk throughout the year.

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Bodmin Jail
Review by: steve richards on 2010-05-27 13:03:33
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First visit was 15 years ago second visit 26 may 2010 ,has grown since then with much more of the prison open to see ,6 floors and interesting information to read with people getting hung for stealing an ox ,or locked up for sleeping in a tent ,children wipped for stealing bread .

Would highly recomend ,not sure what the reviewer above expected to see but if you like old buildings with history showing how easy life is today then this is for you ,take a jumper as its rather cold even on a hot day .

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Bodmin Jail
Review by: daniel john on 2010-04-01 21:46:59
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my family and i had a super day out at the jail we walked about the ceils inside and out and had a tour with the owner simon, who also gave us a full demo on hanging at the time of the jail the food is good not to be missed

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Bodmin Jail
Review by: Angela Carter on 2009-08-07 11:54:10
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Very disappointed with this... not scary at all and no atmosphere.

Staff are very disorganised and do not know how to show off the jail to its best. we spent 40 mins going round and could wait to leave... would not go back even if they paid me.

I am sure if they put a bit more effort in they could make this "attraction" better but as it stands not worth even considering!!

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