Bodmin Jail, located in Cornwall, England, is a historic former prison built in 1779, known for its grim past and notorious inmates. Now a popular tourist attraction, it offers visitors a glimpse into its dark history and is famed for its ghostly legends and eerie atmosphere.
In October I had very exciting early Halloween plans by spending a spooky few days in Cornwall exploring Bodmin Jail and its dark history! From ghost tours to After Dark Tea, we had the best time in Bodmin.
Before I visited Bodmin Jail, I had the chance to chat with a former member of staff at a travel expo earlier this year. Though Bodmin Jail had been on my ‘must visit’ list for a long time now, my interest within the attraction only grew when I spoke to Andrew all about the jail’s dark history and passion for dark tourism.
This was partly the reason why I approached the jail’s press team in regard to a collaboration. I had plans to visit anyway, but I was very blown away to hear how much the team had done to showcase the darker side of the jail. And anyone who visits themself will see this right away.
Bodmin Jail isn’t just a jail with a couple of hauntings occasionally spoken about when asked, or written about on a small information board in the corner of a random room. Bodmin Jail has an entire section/exhibition dedicated to the paranormal experiences that have taken place there. They even have their own experts/team focused solely on investigating the paranormal.
Which is why I was so excited to visit recently and delve into the paranormal and dark history myself!
All About Bodmin Jail Attraction
Bodmin Jail is a former prison in Bodmin, Cornwall, renowned for its dark and fascinating history. It was built in 1779 and operated for over a century, housing criminals and serving as the site for 55 public executions. It closed in 1927, when much of the building fell into ruins. In 2021, after a £65 million investment, it reopened as a hotel and tourist attraction.
Nowadays, visitors can explore the jail and experience the Dark Walk experience, exploring its eerie corridors, stories of infamous prisoners, and ghostly legends. Those brave enough can also stay in the Bodmin Jail Hotel and sleep in the very cells that housed prisoners in the 18th century.
The History of Bodmin Jail
The origins of Bodmin Jail go back to 1777 – 1778 when philanthropist John Howard toured jails around Britain and Ireland and concluded the dreadful conditions he had witnessed in such jails. He proposed improvements in the structure and management of prisons, which began the plans for a new jail at Bodmin.
The jail was built by Sir John Call, a military engineer. When it opened in 1779, the new style of prison was actually a revelation compared to prisons that came before it. It was light and airy, with pure water piped through the building. Men and women were segregated and lived in better conditions.
However, as national crime began to rise, the jail was declared unfit for purpose in 1850, despite adding new extensions due to overcrowding. The original jail was overhauled to create a new 220-cell prison by 1861, with further improvements.
Another interesting part about the Bodmin Jail history is that it was the first British prison to hold inmates in individual cells.
From 1868, executions at the jail stopped taking place in public and, in 1909, the last execution took place at Bodmin Jail. This is the last time a person was executed in Cornwall. Bodmin Jail was officially decommissioned and closed in 1927.
Much of the building was demolished but between the 1960s and 1980s, what remained of the building was used for a fish mongers, a car garage, a badminton court and even a cabaret venue, casino and nightclub. It later became a museum and pub. After a £65 Million investment, it re-launched as the hotel and attraction we know today.
Inmates at Bodmin Jail
Bodmin Jail has housed some notorious and dark inmates over the years. Some of the best-known include Elizabeth Osborn, who set fire to her neighbour’s corn and was hanged in public at only twenty years old and Sarah Polgrean who poisoned her husband by mixing arsenic in his butter.
Darker stories include that of Selina Wadge, who threw her youngest son Harry down a well to drown. The jail has plenty of dark history to share on these cases, but when you visit, you’ll also find a full list of people executed at the jail.
Some of the lightest crimes were things like forging a £2 note, stealing wheat or sheep stealing (a crime committed on three separate occasions by three different people!). But as for the grimmest…
They would have to be Elizabeth Commins who killed her baby by beating its head against its crib and James Holman who killed his wife by caving her head in with a clothes iron and ramming her head into an open fire.
No wonder Bodmin Jail is haunted…
Paranormal Experiences at Bodmin Jail
If you’re wondering ‘Is Bodmin Jail Haunted?’ – the short answer is yes! Bodmin Jail is rife with paranormal activity. There’s even a whole exhibition dedicated to it, with ongoing lists of every paranormal experience that has been reported there. All you have to do is ask any member of staff and they will share so many of their own stories too.
Because we booked a ghost tour, we heard about some extra experiences. I won’t share them all, but there were two stories that really gave me the heeie jeebies. One is that a ghost is quite regularly spotted on the stairs leading up from the naval wing to the administration block. He isn’t spotted all the time but when he is spotted, it’s always on those stairs at 5pm on the dot. So if you’re planning to visit, I would recommend trying to book a tour around that time!
The second story we were told was about the original hanging pit. This area of the prison is really eerie anyway, especially when you think about how many people were executed by that very rope. What happens quite regularly here is the bells will often ring quite early in the morning of their own accord. This is before the prison is open to the public (and staff!), and the bells are actually behind a gate, so not easily accessible.
The creepy part is that every time the bells have rang (and been heard over Bodmin), a member of the team will come in and check the execution board displayed at the hanging pit. The bells don’t ring every day, but when they do, they are always on the anniversary of someone’s execution.
Creepy stuff.
Did we experience anything paranormal when we visited? Despite visiting the jail both in the day and late at night on a super intimate and amazing tour, we didn’t see anything. However, we did have some of the lights in the ‘judgement’ room flash on/off in a weird and unexplained way when we did the ghost tour. There were also a few occasions on the ghost tour that I had a very vague feeling like something was touching my hair but I really wouldn’t be surprised if this was wishful thinking.
All in all, it has more than convinced me that I’m going to return at some point and book onto an actual ghost investigation.
My Review of Bodmin Jail Experience
I loved my visit to the Bodmin Jail Experience. So much so that after my first visit, it immediately shot up there to one of my top five spooky things to do around the UK. Perhaps even to the top spot!
Though the jail doesn’t seem large upon arrival, you could spend hours here if you really want to drink it all in. The first thing we experienced on arrival was the Dark Walk – a fantastic immersive experience which introduced us not only to Bodmin Jail but Bodmin overall. It featured a mix of 4D cinema and special effects to bring everything to life, and I absolutely loved it.
Fun Fact: The ‘judgement’ room/part of this experience actually takes place in what used to be the morgue/hospital wing when it was still a jail, meaning it’s rife with paranormal activity.
After this, we found ourselves entering the naval wing and the self-guided part of our experience. Here we could visit individual cells and learn about what life was like for prisoners here in the 16th century. This led us up the stairs and through to the administration block – and finally through to the paranormal section and the condemned cell. There was so much to explore here – they really have put a lot of work into highlighting the paranormal history here.
One information board shares that 42 visitors have passed out in the jail due to paranormal experiences and 17 (and counting!) people have experienced some sort of submersion (which is another word for possession, but not necessarily possessions we see on TV and in movies!). Another highlights in great detail all the paranormal spots, from male staff being seen in mirrors in the gatehouse to a priest frequently walking through the paranormal room corridor. Creepy.
What I really loved about Bodmin Jail is that they don’t shy away from its paranormal experiences. They embrace it! Talking to the staff, you can really tell how passionate they are not only about the paranormal but about investigating ghosts in an honest manner. Nothing is made up for entertainment and they will hapilly debunk things if they need to. After all, Bodmin Jail is where Derek Acorah was famously caught faking it. The cell where it happened is now a public toilet. I am delighted to boast that I have peed in the Most Haunted toilet!
We also booked a ghost tour with Carl, who was just so passionate and knowledgeable. He was really charismatic and made the tour so fun, and we were even able to pick his brains the following night when we returned for a VIP event! Carl shared so many great insights into the jail and was more than happy to share behind-the-scenes knowledge. What I loved was that he was a complete sceptic before he started working at the jail. He attended an event with his sister and had so many paranormal experiences that it changed his view on everything and eventually led to him getting a job at Bodmin Jail and dedicating more and more time to learning more about the paranormal.
I would also note that a ghost tour is a great way to explore the jail in a more intimate setting. Although you have less time to explore, it does take you to all the major areas of the prison and you have the bonus of being able to chat to an expert throughout. It was really eerie and spooky exploring the jail after dark, dimly lit with that chilling atmosphere.
Guide to Visiting Bodmin Jail
Because there is so much on offer at Bodmin Jail, I thought it would be helpful to include a guide to visiting! It’s almost overwhelming trying to decide what to do at this attraction as there is so much to choose from and certain events run on certain days.
Where to Stay in Bodmin
First of all, Bodmin Jail is located in Bodmin, Cornwall. For those of us more centrally based in the UK, it may be a bit of a drive! So I would recommend staying a couple of nights in the area (and combining your visit with other things to do nearby).
You can even stay at the Bodmin Jail Hotel, which is a luxurious and historic hotel based within the actual former jail. This is a great choice if you want to get the full experience, as some of the rooms are haunted. Additionally, the hotel is really beautiful and includes nods to and information about the former jail, whilst still keeping up an air of luxury.
For something more budget-friendly, I’d recommend the atmospheric and world-famous Jamaica Inn nearby. It’s only a 15-minute drive away from Bodmin Jail and is more than just a hotel: there’s also a museum on-site all about the inn’s smuggling history, as well as a gift shop, farm shop, bar and restaurant. Many of the rooms – and public areas – here are also haunted.
We wanted a fully spooky weekend away, so we stayed at the Jamaica Inn for two nights whilst exploring Bodmin and visiting the jail.
Where to Eat in Bodmin
We actually just ate in our hotel – the Jamaica Inn – both nights. But we were also lucky enough to enjoy Halloween afternoon tea at the Bodmin Jail Hotel. Bodmin Jail also has a lovely cafe on-site, serving up light bites.
Otherwise, there are plenty of cosy pubs in Bodmin.
What to do at Bodmin Jail
There is so much to do at Bodmin Jail. First and foremost, take a self-guided entry so you can enjoy the jail at your own pace. The self-guided entry also includes the fantastic Dark Walk, which is an immersive experience with 4D cinema effects bringing the history of Bodmin to life.
Walks & Tours
If the history of the jail is what interests you, I’d recommend booking a guided tour, which is an in-depth historical tour through the jail. It covers things like what life was like for prisoners behind bars and what crime and punishment was like during the Georgian and Victorian periods. This tour is suitable for the whole family too. Guided tours run every day at £25pp.
If you really want to get spooky, book a ghost walk. We did the ghost tour the night before we visited the prison properly, and I felt this was such a fun way to do things. It meant we knew secret paranormal spots when we did our self-guided entry around the jail. That being said, you might want to explore the jail first to get your bearings and then do the ghost walk at another time. The ghost walk runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at at £25pp.
Throughout the year, Bodmin Jail also hosts themed tours. You can choose from the Broken Hearts tour in February, You’re Pulling My Leg tours over the Easter Holiday, Go Darker tours in October and the Naughty or Nice tours over Christmas.
Experiences
New for October 2024 is The Ghost Society, where you’ll be taught how to be a ghost hunter by experts! This is perfect if you want to not only learn about the paranormal experiences at the jail but also do investigations yourself. You’ll get basic training on ghost-hunting equipment and even receive a certificate at the end! The Ghost Society runs every Sunday from the 13th of October at £38pp.
After Dark is a public paranormal investigation at Bodmin Jail. Within your four-and-a-half-hour visit (after dark), a paranormal host will guide you throughout the night and share paranormal stories and techniques. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to conduct your own investigations. After Dark runs every Friday & Saturday at £50pp.
If you’d like to take place in a ghost hunt and already have a bit of experience under your belt, you can conduct your own ghost hunts in one of the UK’s most haunted locations throughout the year. You can either be left to your own devices or receive guidance from a professional on-site. You can also borrow equipment if you don’t have your own. Ghost Hunts run on the last Friday of every month at £35pp.
Brand new for 2024, the Basement Challenge is a scare experience where you’ll try to survive 20 minutes in complete darkness in one of the most haunted locations at the jail. Armed with just a K2 meter between the two of you (or alone if you dare!), you can see how long you can last as you watch the K2 meter react to anything paranormal going on around you! The Basement Challenge runs every day from 12th October at £20 per session (2 brave souls).
During the month of October/Halloween, there are also special events and experiences running such as Lights Out! (live actors and jump scares within the jail), late entry, Go Darker Heritage Tours and the Haunted Gallery.
The Haunted Gallery
We were lucky enough to experience the Haunted Gallery whilst we were there and it was great! Inside the jail, the most famous ghost photos throughout time are displayed against the jail’s walls, with information boards sharing more information about each. What a place to view some of the best ghost photos, am I right?
Wow. There is A LOT to choose from. During our stay in Bodmin, we visited the jail three times across two days (for different experiences/events) and I must say – each visit was a completely different atmosphere and left us feeling like we learned more each time. We never found it boring.
My recommendation would be to take a look at their on-site calendar and work out which days are best to visit based on the experiences on offer. Generally, it seems like Thursdays through to Sundays are your best bet to book onto things like ghost tours, paranormal investigations and all the spooky stuff!
The Need-To-Knows
Bodmin Jail is right in the heart of Bodmin and is easily signposted throughout the town. Though the jail has a car park, it’s currently being upgraded so visitors are encouraged to park at the nearby Sainsburys for free and make the short walk to the attraction.
If you’re travelling by public transport, a local bus route can drop you off within Bodmin Town. The nearest train station is Bodmin Parkway – which runs throughout Cornwall – and is a half-hour bus ride from the town.
If you’re outside of Cornwall, I strongly suggest driving to Cornwall and making a multiple-day trip out of your visit. However, there are trains and coaches from London to Cornwall.
Bodmin Jail is wheelchair accessible, though some of the original cells have narrow doorways that may be a bit of a squeeze. Assistance dogs are allowed. The jail is suitable for the whole family, but use your own judgment when it comes to the paranormal bits!
Bodmin Jail is heaps of fun. It’s got a lot of history to discover, so if spooky stuff isn’t quite your thing, you’ll still enjoy it. But in terms of dark tourism, it is right up there. I was so impressed with how much effort they have put into sharing the dark tourism side of the jail and how passionate they are about it. Visiting Bodmin Jail has been one of the best spooky things I have ever done and I am already planning to head back soon.
It’s an absolute must-do!
Why is Bodmin Jail famous?
Bodmin Jail is most famous for its dark history and paranormal experiences. It’s also where the last execution/hanging took place in Cornwall and, when it first opened, it was considered to be quite a relation compared to other prisons.
Who was executed at Bodmin Jail?
55 people were executed at Bodmin Jail in total, including Elizabeth Osborn, Sarah Polgrean, Matthew Weeks, Selina Wadge and the Lightfoot brothers.
How long does it take to go around Bodmin Jail?
A self-guided tour will take around 1-2 hours, but I would allow for at least two hours minimum if you’re really into dark tourism and spooky stuff! Guided tours vary in length.
Do you have to prebook Bodmin Jail?
It’s not a necessity to pre-book self-guided entry, but it is worth doing so, especially at peak times. I would definitely recommend pre-booking any events, tours or experiences though, as some of them do tend to sell out quickly.
Bodmin Jail
www.bodminjail.org
Bodmin Jail, Berrycoombe Road, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL31 2NR
£19.50 per person for self-guided entry
There are toilets on site, a cafe and a small gift shop. There’s also free car parking available on site (currently unavailable – people are directed to use the free car park at Sainsburys in the meantime), otherwise the jail can easily be walked to from the town centre.
*Please note, I was kindly offered free entry to Bodmin Jail attraction. There is no obligation to post about my experiences. This review is entirely honest and unbiased.
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