The Bodmin Jail experience

The past comes back to life

The £8.5million immersive visitor attraction sees the introduction of the ‘Dark Walk’ experience and a completely new level of interest interwoven throughout these impressive buildings, included within standard jail entry tickets & the heritage guided tours. 

Built in 1779 for King George III, Bodmin Jail has played an important role in Cornwall’s history and this bold redevelopment gives visitors the chance to delve into an intriguing hidden history. A massive investment in Cornwall’s tourism and visitor economy, this was the biggest attraction opening in 2020 with its state-of-the-art technology allowing for a more immersive experience.

 

The Dark Walk

Step into history and unlock the secrets of Cornwall’s past

The ‘Dark Walk’, the first of its kind in Cornwall, uses theatrical effects and the latest technology to transport visitors back to Cornwall’s murky past, enabling a first-hand experience of the penal life of a working 18th and 19th-century prison on the fringes of the windswept Bodmin Moor.

Retold for 21st-century audiences, the haunting cinematic visual experience will tell stories of smuggling, mining and the everyday hardships facing Cornwall’s poorest, including tales from infamous prisoners.

 

The Naval Wing

Grimy cells, harsh punishments and gruelling conditions

Visitors face a cold walk along into the jail's original Naval Wing, getting a first-hand look at what the dreary days and nights behind bars were really like.  Grimy cells, prison punishments and stories of child criminals take centre stage as visitors wander through these formidable buildings.  

The Administration Block

Delve deeper into the mechanics of running a hard Victorian prison

The journey continues through to the Administration Block and the Governor's Office, where visitors can delve into the fascinating background of the people who served, worked and lived at Bodmin Jail, with hidden stories and myths of Cornwall, Bodmin and the historic jail building from an operational perspective.  

The Last Moments

Discover the only working execution pit in the UK

There's a chill of the condemned as the path follows the last footsteps of the 55 prisoners as they were led to the hanging pit. 

The last moments seeing the only original, fully working Victorian Hanging Pit in the UK is a time for real reflection.

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