Outdoor Guided Tour

BODMIN JAIL’S NEW OUTDOOR GUIDED TOUR

Learn about the history of Bodmin Jail on our brand-new Outdoor Guided Tour. This one-hour walking experience takes you on a journey around the Victorian prison grounds, including the courtyard, gatehouse, prisoner wings and exercise yard. Along the way, you will uncover the realities of daily prison life, hear gripping tales of executions, daring escape attempts, and shocking prison riots — all brought to life by our award-winning guides.

One of the best features? The tour is dog friendly, so your four-legged companions are welcome to join the adventure! You’ll also unlock an exclusive discounted self-guided ticket, giving you the chance to explore even more of Bodmin Jail at your own pace when your tour ends

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WHAT'S INCLUDED?

Your outdoor Guided Tour ticket to Bodmin Jail includes:

● A walk around the Victorian prison grounds

● A guided experience led by our knowledgeable heritage guides

● Access outdoor spaces of the jail, including the Courtyard and Gatehouse, Naval Wing, Old Exercise Yard, and Site for Public Hangings

● Powerful storytelling rooted in real prison history and the lives of those who lived, worked, and were imprisoned here

● Opportunities to ask questions and engage with your guide throughout the tour

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ABOUT THE TOUR

This tour does not include entry into the attraction, however an exclusive discounted self-guided ticket add-on is available - this can be booked online beforehand or booked by your guide on the day (subject to availability).

This is a walking tour around the site therefore not suitable for people with limited mobility, wheelchairs and pushchairs. However, we do offer Indoor Guided Tours that are accessible.

It is a dog-friendly tour, so four-legged companions can join in with the fun!

The tour will take place in outdoor spaces, some public areas and uneven ground. Please dress appropriately for the weather on the day of your tour.

If you have any questions about which product would be most suitable for your group, please reach out to a member of our team!

Find out more about our heritage guides here:

Meet Our Guides

WANDER THROUGH TIME

Explore the Victorian prison grounds with a heritage guide and discover hidden areas of the jail like never before:

● Courtyard & Gatehouse: Stand in front of the main entrance of Civilian prisoners and learn about how staff completed day-to-day running of a Victorian prison.

● Naval Wing: Learn how the Royal Navy used our jail to hold prisoners between 1887 and 1923 - why did they end up here?

● Exercise Yard & Escapees: Take a walk through the exercise yard used for prisoners and witness the sheer scale of the perimeter walls. Some prisoners misbehaved whilst completing hard labour tasks in the exercise yard, some prisoners even managed to escape!

● Public Hangings: Stand in the same place that crowds once gathered to witness the 1862 execution of John Doidge—the last public hanging at Bodmin Jail.

● Crimes & Criminals: Learn first-hand about real people, their stories, and why they ended up locked away.

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DO TIME IN THE SUNSHINE

The outdoor Guided Tour offers a historical snapshot into Georgian and Victorian prison life. You will uncover the legends of Bodmin Jail - all the while working on your tan! Are you ready to go back in time?

Book your outdoor Guided Tour of Bodmin Jail today and experience history like never before!

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Tickets FAQs

Yes, you can. If you do decide to pay on the day, be sure to arrive early to allow plenty of time to purchase your tickets and avoid any queues. Depending on the event, there may be different ticket options available, such as single entry or family tickets.

Yes, however we will only be able to offer you the available timeslots, and this may involve a wait.

We recommend you arrive 15 minutes before your booked timeslot.

There is no need to print your confirmation email if you would prefer to use your smart phone to show this to us.

Please call our customer service line on 01208 76292, with your name and the date you have booked ready to hand.

Yes, if you have the booking confirmation you can collect the tickets.

Dogs are allowed on site, which means they can join you in the courtyard, Moor Café, and gift shop. Sadly, due to the nature of the attraction, we have to ask that you don't bring your pup into the museum. The loud noises and sudden movements might be too much for their sensitive ears.

We love our furry friends here at Bodmin Jail, but we also want to make sure that every guest has a safe and enjoyable visit. That's why we kindly ask that you assign someone as a designated dog watcher to take care of your pup while the rest of your group explore the museum. This way, your furry friend can relax and enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

You can read more about our 'Pooches in Prison' policy here.

No, when you purchase a disabled ticket, you will also receive a free carer ticket. The whole site is now fully accessible.

Guests able to provide evidence of their disability will be entitled to bring a carer free of charge.

For proof of disability please bring ONE of the following forms of documentation:

Entitlement to Disability Living Allowance for children under 16 or DLA/Personal Independent Payments (PIP) for those aged 16-64, either in the form of a letter stating that the benefit has been awarded, or the actual Allowance book.
Attendance Allowance or Carer's Allowance letter of award.
Incapacity Benefit books, or a letter notifying the recipient that the benefit has been awarded Incapacity Benefit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
A valid Blue Badge.
In the case of visual impairment, a registration card known as the BD8 or a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI).
A local authority registration document which is local to the attraction where it is being submitted.
A recognised Assistance Dog ID Card.
Credibility’s Access Card.

Please note that all documentation should be dated within 2 years.

Yes, we can alter the date or time of your ticket(s) Please call our customer service line on 01208 76292 and have your booking confirmation to hand. Please note that all date changes are subject to availability and must be made before the date of your visit.

We recommend you allow 1.5/ 2 hours to experience the attraction

Our concession rates are for the over 65’s, students and disabled visitors.

Carers will enter the attraction for free when assisting a disabled visitor.

Guests able to provide evidence of their disability will be entitled to bring a carer free of charge.

For proof of disability please bring ONE of the following forms of documentation:

Entitlement to Disability Living Allowance for children under 16 or DLA/Personal Independent Payments (PIP) for those aged 16-64, either in the form of a letter stating that the benefit has been awarded, or the actual Allowance book.
Attendance Allowance or Carer's Allowance letter of award.
Incapacity Benefit books, or a letter notifying the recipient that the benefit has been awarded Incapacity Benefit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
A valid Blue Badge.
In the case of visual impairment, a registration card known as the BD8 or a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI).
A local authority registration document which is local to the attraction where it is being submitted.
A recognised Assistance Dog ID Card.
Credibility’s Access Card.

Please note that all documentation should be dated within 2 years.

Our tickets are non-refundable; however, we can alter the date of your ticket(s) To do this, please call our customer service line on 01208 76292 and have your booking confirmation to hand.

Please note that all date changes are subject to availability and must be made before the date of your visit.

If you are photosensitive and can have seizures caused by light, parts of our attraction may be unsuitable for you. For more information please call us on 01208 76292

Filming and photography is allowed at Bodmin Jail.