Book now from £22.00
Use code 'DAYSOUT' to save 5% on your booking at Shepton Mallet Prison!
Hear the best stories of Shepton Mallet
The stories of Shepton Mallet Prison go back centuries. On a guided tour, you'll get to discover them for yourself.
During the prison tour, you'll be joined by an expert guide who'll bring the prison to life through a no-holds-barred tour of this historic and fascinating building!
The guided tour, led by a guide with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the prison’s history will shine a light on what life was really like for prisoners, officers and visitors with real-life tales that will leave you intrigued and shocked!
Your tour will include...
- A tour of two traditional Victorian Prison wings. B Wing, the largest wing, had the capacity to hold 94 prisoners as of 2001 but experienced much overcrowding in the years before. C Wing was purpose built in 1848 to hold women and children into the early 1900s but played an important and top secret role during WWII.
- Wander the landing as officers did for 400 years and discover what it was like to be locked behind the steel doors!
- Next, you will head to the Hard Labour Yard to learn about the hard and often pointless forms of hard labour implemented during the 1800s to keep prisoners from idleness.
- The Tread Wheel building can also be seen from here; one of the most physically demanding forms of Victorian Hard Labour known to the prisoner population.
Ready to get exploring? Get your tickets now!
How To Find Us
By Train:
If you’re arriving by train, the nearest station is Shepton Mallet. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to the prison.
Taxi services like Swift Taxis, Regal Taxis, and Mum’s Taxis operate between the station and the prison.
By Bus:
The bus service runs hourly, and you can catch buses numbered 1, 1A, or 1C1.
By Car:
There is a car park on-site, so if you’re driving, you can park there.
Detailed instructions are usually emailed to visitors before arrival, including rules, cell allocation, and specific evening arrival times3
The Guided Tour lasts for approx. 1.5 hours. During this time, you are welcome to spend time before, after or both exploring the site.
For our Self Guided Tours, we recommend you allow between 1.5 and 2 hours but you are welcome to spend as long as you like exploring the prison!
Yes, there is a small prison car park (charge £3.50) and Great Ospry pay and display car park is nearby.
More things to do nearby
East Somerset Railway - Advanced Day Rover Tickets
East Somerset Railway
Get your Advanced Day Rover tickets and save up to 20% on family tickets! Make the most of the engines on the East Somerset Railway line in Cranmore
Christmas at the Movies by Candlelight - Wells
Christmas at the Movies by Candlelight Concerts 2024
Enjoy a true holiday treat as you enjoy the sounds of all your favourite Christmas films with Christmas at the Movies by Candlelight in Wells
A Night at the Opera by Candlelight - Wells
A Night at the Opera by Candlelight Concerts 2024
London Concertante takes you for an enchanting Night at the Opera in a candlelit cathedral in Wells this November
Soft Play Weekdays
Ocean Adventurers
Explore an underwater-themed adventure at Ocean Adventurers soft play centre, get your weekday tickets here today
Soft Play Weekends & Holidays
Ocean Adventurers
Head to Ocean Adventurers on a weekend or school holiday for an underwater-themed adventure. Book your tickets here!