Night Behind Bars Experience

Q: Do I need to bring bedding?

Shrewsbury Prison: You are welcome to bring your own sleeping bags, pillows and blankets as the prison can get chilly at night. Each cell has 2 beds with mattresses however you can bring your mattress or camp bed if you prefer. Shepton Mallet Prison: You will need to bring your own bedding and a matt/mattress for your bed.

Q: What's in the cell?

Shrewsbury Prison: Each cell contains 2 beds (most are bunk beds, some are single frame beds) with mattresses, working power sockets and lights. There is a toilet in the cell but it is not operational so not to be used . Shepton Mallet Prison: Each cell has either one or two single bed frames. There are no additional facilities in the cell.

Q: Are there shower facilities?

Shrewsbury Prison: No, only toilets which are located across the site including 7 close to the wing. Shepton Mallet Prison: No, only toilets which are located in the visitor centre and at limited locations around the prison.

Q: Can dietary requirements be catered for in the restaurant?

Shrewsbury Prison: The prison restaurant can cater for all allergies and dietary requirements. The restaurant provides hot meals and snacks and there is a licensed bar, all open until 10pm. Hot drinks will be available for guests to help themselves to throughout the night. In the morning, visitors will be awakened to the smell of fresh coffee and a hearty breakfast. Shepton Mallet Prison: A selection of breakfast items are provided and are suitable for most dietary requirements. Snack items are available throughout the night, again suitable for most dietary requirements.

Q: Is there car parking?

Shrewsbury Prison: There is a small car park opposite the prison. Additional parking can be found at the train station pay & display, which is located 50 meters away from the prison entrance on Howard Street (SY1 2LF) charged at £5.40 per day. Shepton Mallet Prison: There is a small prison car park (charge £3.50) and Great Ospry pay and display car park is nearby.

Night Behind Bars Experience

The Highlights

Spend 12 hours overnight inside a real former prison

Shrewsbury Prison or Shepton Mallet Prison

Sleep in an authentic prison cell

Atmospheric after-dark guided tour

Light refreshments provided during the evening

Suitable for ages 18 and over

Exchangeable Experience Gift

2 Locations

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Shepton Mallet
Shrewsbury

The Experience

Ever wondered what it would be like to spend a whole night locked inside a real prison? Here's your chance to find out! Swap a cosy hotel room for a former prison cell and prepare for 12 hours behind bars in one of Britain's most atmospheric and famously haunted historic prisons.

Choose between Shrewsbury Prison in Shropshire or Shepton Mallet Prison in Somerset, where you'll spend the night surrounded by centuries of prison history, chilling stories and more than a few things that might go bump in the night!

Your evening begins with an after-dark guided tour, taking you through imposing prison wings, eerie corridors and areas once used by inmates and officers. Hear fascinating stories of crime, punishment and everyday prison life, alongside tales of reported paranormal activity and unexplained encounters.

Then comes the real challenge... spending the night behind bars! With your own former prison cell allocated for the evening, you can settle in and attempt to get some sleep, or venture out to explore the prison's shadowy corridors and landings. As the building falls quiet and darkness settles in, every creak, echo and distant sound might just have you wondering whether you're really alone.

Will you brave the darkness and explore, or decide that staying safely tucked away in your cell sounds like a much better idea?

When morning finally arrives, you'll be released back into the outside world with plenty of stories to tell and a newfound appreciation for your own bed!

A brilliantly unusual experience gift for thrill seekers, history enthusiasts and paranormal fans, whether you're taking on the challenge with a partner or a group of friends.

So, do you dare spend a whole night behind bars?

Important Information

At both Shrewsbury Prison and Shepton Mallet Prison - Weekends throughout the year, starting from April 2024, at 8pm.

Your voucher is valid for 12 Months from the date of issue.

Please note you must have booked and taken your experience before the expiry date.

Over 18's only.

The centres contracted with us hold public liability insurance. We also hold contingency liability cover. You will not be liable for accidental damage to equipment, except where damage has been caused as a result of recklessness or wilful negligence.

A cancellation indemnity, subject to terms, is included with every voucher.

Images are for illustrative purposes only. The experience may vary by location or availability. Please refer to the experience description for full details of what is included.

FAQs

At 8pm, you'll be met by the prison staff and let in through the big wooden gates and shown to your cell for the night. You'll be given a tour of the prison, visiting all areas including two Victorian wings, a number of themed cells, the segregation unit and the execution room. After the tour, you are free to explore the site. The original prison kitchen now serving as a restaurant provides hot meals and snacks and there is a licensed bar – all open ‘till 10pm. For the night owls amongst you the prison staff are on-site all-night checking for good behaviour and also available to answer any questions you may have. You are woken early in the morning, no tardiness in prison, to the smell of fresh coffee and a hearty breakfast. We open the giant security gates at 7am when we release you back into the world with your memories of a very unusual night and, we are confident, many tales to tell.

Shrewsbury Prison: You are welcome to bring your own sleeping bags, pillows and blankets as the prison can get chilly at night. Each cell has 2 beds with mattresses however you can bring your mattress or camp bed if you prefer.

Shepton Mallet Prison: You will need to bring your own bedding and a matt/mattress for your bed.

Shrewsbury Prison: Each cell contains 2 beds (most are bunk beds, some are single frame beds) with mattresses, working power sockets and lights. There is a toilet in the cell but it is not operational so not to be used.

Shepton Mallet Prison: Each cell has either one or two single bed frames. There are no additional facilities in the cell.

Shrewsbury Prison: No, only toilets which are located across the site including 7 close to the wing.

Shepton Mallet Prison: No, only toilets which are located in the visitor centre and at limited locations around the prison.

Visitors who book alone will be allocated a cell of their own.

Shrewsbury Prison: The prison restaurant can cater for all allergies and dietary requirements. The restaurant provides hot meals and snacks and there is a licensed bar, all open until 10pm. Hot drinks will be available for guests to help themselves to throughout the night. In the morning, visitors will be awakened to the smell of fresh coffee and a hearty breakfast.

Shepton Mallet Prison: A selection of breakfast items are provided and are suitable for most dietary requirements. Snack items are available throughout the night, again suitable for most dietary requirements.

Shrewsbury Prison: There is a small car park opposite the prison. Additional parking can be found at the train station pay & display, which is located 50 meters away from the prison entrance on Howard Street (SY1 2LF) charged at £5.40 per day.

Shepton Mallet Prison: There is a small prison car park (charge £3.50) and Great Ospry pay and display car park is nearby.

Great Reviews

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From arrival to departure a great experience. Our hosts were informative, funny and scary. Evening meal, condemned last meal was plentiful, you do need to pay for the honour and breakfast was porridge and you don't pay for. Would definitely recommend giving it a go.

Jayne 19 Oct 2024