Shepton Mallet Prison Ticket Portal

THE ULTIMATE SLEEPOVER

Shepton Prison Night Behind Bars is a 12 hour overnight stay in a prison. Enjoy a night locked up - without the sentence!

Is this possible? At Shepton Mallet Prison it is, and we promise to let you out in the morning – good behaviour permitting, of course. This is a rare opportunity to spend 12 hours behind bars in the world’s most haunted jail with Shepton Mallet's Prison Night Behind Bars! This event is an 18+ event only.

There is a whole world to explore. It is a fantastic experience for couples, groups of friends and those with an interest in the paranormal.

You will be met by members of our fantastic team who will let you into the prison through the huge gates and show you to your cell for the night. This is a traditional Victorian cell providing a truly authentic experience.

As part of this awesome experience an Officer will take you and your fellow inmates for a tour of the jail. You will visit, amongst others, the Victorian wings, the spooky Old Gate Lodge, segregation and not forgetting the execution room. After the tour you are free to explore the site or, of course, retire to your cell for the next few hours. Some will choose to go ghost hunting and others will roam the spooky corridors investigating the prison in the dark. BUT don’t even think of escaping – you won’t have time to burrow out Shawshank Redemption style or escape like Paddington Bear over the very high walls.

YOUR TIME BEHIND BARS

For the night owls amongst you, our trusty prison staff are on-site all night. They’ll be keeping tabs on you, checking for good behaviour and will also be available to answer any questions you may have about Shepton Mallet, it’s history – and it’s famous previous residents!

The visitor centre will be open where you can purchase hot and cold drinks and snacks throughout your stay. Once you awake in the morning you can choose to have breakfast.

You’ll be woken up early in the morning – there’s no tardiness in prison! At 7am, we’ll open the giant security gates when we release you back into the world. You’ll leave us with your memories of a very unusual night and, we are confident, many tales to tell!

Blackk History Month Exhibition

This exhibition consists of six mini exhibits that bring to light the untold stories of Black individuals during World War II and beyond:

1. “Brown Babies” Exhibition – Curated by Professor Lucy Bland, this exhibit delves into the little-known history of the children born to Black GIs and white British women during WWII.
2. Britain’s “Brown Babies” Book – Authored by Professor Lucy Bland, this book provides an in-depth exploration of the lives of these mixed-race children.
3. The Case of Leroy Henry – A detailed account of the wrongful conviction of African American GI Leroy Henry and the public outcry that led to his exoneration.
4. The Execution of Private David Cobb – The tragic story of Private David Cobb, a young Black soldier executed at Shepton Mallet during WWII.
5. The Remarkable Life of Bernard Benedict James – Celebrating the inspiring journey of Bernard Benedict James, a Black WWII veteran who overcame significant obstacles to become a leading aerospace engineer.
6. Diversity in Art at Shepton Mallet Prison – An exploration of artistic expressions within the prison walls, highlighting the role of art in rehabilitation and diversity.