Shepton Mallet Prison: Guided Tour

About This Experience

Take a guided tour of Shepton Mallet Prison, also known as Cornhill or The Mallet, which has over 400 years of history, dating back before the English Civil War. Your guide will walk you through what life was like for both prisoners and staff. You'll learn about punishments, hear stories of well-known inmates, and find out if anyone ever escaped. You'll visit the cells in the two Victorian wings, the execution room, and the building that once held the treadwheel—a machine used as punishment. During World War II, the prison became a military facility, and an execution block was added. Ask your guide for more about this period. You can visit the on-site cafe and gift shop to buy snacks and souvenirs for your loved ones.