Shepton Mallet Prison: Guided Tour

Shepton Mallet Prison, a storied landmark steeped in Victorian-era history, offers a captivating guided tour that delves into the facility’s harrowing past. Led by expert guides, the immersive 1.5-hour experience grants visitors access to the prison’s most notorious wings, including the overcrowded B Wing and the C Wing, which holds wartime secrets. Priced at $28.78 per person, this tour promises a profound insight into the grim realities of the criminal justice system during the 19th century. With convenient scheduling and a range of amenities, the tour invites visitors to uncover the haunting tales that echo through the prison’s walls, leaving a lasting impression on all who dare to explore its dark legacy.

Good To Know

• Shepton Mallet Prison offers guided tours that immerse visitors in the prison’s captivating history, including Victorian-era hard labor practices and 25 historic executions.
• Guided tours are priced at $28.78 per person, last approximately 1.5 hours, and can be booked with a reserve now, pay later option.
• The tour experience includes exploring Victorian-era prison wings, the Hard Labour Yard, and the execution room, with expert guides providing real-life prison stories.
• Visitors can also opt for a self-guided exploration to further discover the prison’s highlights, such as the overcrowded B Wing and the secret WWII role of C Wing.
• The prison site offers amenities like a café and gift shop, enhancing the overall visitor experience and allowing guests to take home a piece of Shepton Mallet’s history.

Tour Details and Pricing

The guided tour of Shepton Mallet Prison is priced at $28.78 per person and lasts for approximately 1.5 hours.

Visitors can enjoy a full refund if they cancel their booking 24 hours in advance. The tour offers a reserve now, pay later option, allowing guests to secure their spot without upfront payment.

Guided tours are available at 2 PM on weekdays and 11 AM and 2 PM on weekends and school holidays. Advance booking is recommended, as these tours are popular.

The tour experience includes an expert guide with extensive knowledge of the prison’s history, as well as a self-guided exploration option for further discovery.

Tour Experience

Expert guides lead the tour, providing visitors with an immersive experience that highlights the real-life tales of prisoners, officers, and visitors within the prison’s walls.

The no-holds-barred tour takes guests through the Victorian-era prison wings, including the overcrowded B Wing and the former women’s and children’s quarters of C Wing, which played a secret role during World War II.

Visitors can also explore the Hard Labour Yard and the Tread Wheel building, learning about the physically demanding hard labour practices of the 1800s.

The tour culminates in the execution room, where 25 executions took place between 1889 and 1945, offering a sobering look into the prison’s history.

Prison Highlights

The tour of the Victorian-era prison wings offers a captivating glimpse into the institution’s storied past.

Visitors will be able to explore:

• The B Wing, which once held a capacity of 94 prisoners and experienced severe overcrowding.

• The C Wing, built in 1848 to house women and children, and which played a secret role during World War II.

• The Hard Labour Yard, where visitors can learn about the demanding 19th-century practices of hard labor.

• The Tread Wheel building, a site of physically taxing Victorian-era hard labor.

The tour also includes a visit to the Gate Lodge, the oldest parts of the prison dating back to the 1600s, as well as the execution room where 25 executions took place between 1889 and 1945.

Visitor Amenities

Visitors to Shepton Mallet Prison will find a variety of amenities to enhance their experience.

On-site, there is a café offering barista-style coffee, hot drinks, and snacks, providing a welcome respite during the tour.

The prison also features a gift shop where visitors can browse and purchase souvenirs to commemorate their visit, such as memorabilia and books related to the prison’s history.

These visitor amenities ensure that guests can comfortably explore the site and take home a piece of the Shepton Mallet Prison experience.

The availability of these facilities makes the tour a well-rounded and enjoyable experience for all who visit.

Location and Accessibility

Shepton Mallet Prison is located at Frithfield Lane, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5FQ.

Guided tours of the prison run at 2pm (Monday to Friday) and 11am & 2pm (weekends and school holidays). Advance booking is recommended as the tours are popular.

The key visitor information includes:

• Meeting point: Shepton Mallet Prison visitor centre
• Tour duration: 1.5 hours
• Tour type: Guided or self-guided
• Booking: Reserve now & pay later

The prison’s convenient location and tour schedule make it an accessible historic attraction for visitors to explore the fascinating history of Shepton Mallet Prison.

Customer Reviews

Based on the information provided, overall customer reviews of the Shepton Mallet Prison tour are positive, with the experience and knowledgeable guide highlighted as key strengths.

The tour has an average rating of 4 out of 5 based on 2 reviews, indicating generally favorable feedback from visitors. Customers praised the expert guide’s extensive knowledge of the prison’s history, as well as the comprehensive, no-holds-barred nature of the tour, which delves into real-life tales of prisoners, officers, and visitors.

The opportunity for further self-guided exploration is also noted as a valuable aspect of the overall experience. While limited in sample size, the available reviews suggest the Shepton Mallet Prison tour provides an engaging and informative glimpse into the facility’s storied past.

Exploring the Prison’s History

The Shepton Mallet Prison, a historic landmark in the heart of Somerset, England, boasts a rich and captivating history that spans centuries.

Visitors can explore the prison’s past and uncover its fascinating stories, including:

• The Victorian-era hard labor practices that were enforced within its walls, with the Tread Wheel building serving as a testament to the physically demanding nature of these punishments.

• The secret role the prison played during World War II, when the C Wing housed women and children.

• The grim history of executions, with 25 taking place between 1889 and 1945, each carrying its own unique tale of crime and controversy.

• The evolution of the prison’s layout and facilities, from the Gate Lodge’s origins in the 1600s to the overcrowding issues experienced in the B Wing in the early 2000s.

Sum Up

Shepton Mallet Prison offers a unique opportunity to explore the haunting history of this Victorian-era institution. The guided tour provides an immersive experience, allowing visitors to access the overcrowded B Wing, the C Wing with its WWII secrets, and the execution room. With expert guides, convenient scheduling, and on-site amenities, this tour offers a profound insight into the penal practices of the past.