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Bodmin Jail, Bodmin, Cornwall
Bodmin Jail, Bodmin, Cornwall 
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Bodmin Jail
Berrycoombe Road
Bodmin
Cornwall
PL31 2NR
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This attraction is fairly new (in terms of being an attraction) and still has a lot of work to be done to restore the old jail BUT it is great. The old jail at Bodmin was the main jail for Cornwall during the 18th and 19th century (and part of the 20th). It also carried out executions for the county. This may sound a bit morbid but it is not. The jail has been derelict for many years and the current owners are currently restoring it bit by bit. The attraction consists of a tour around the many cells with lots of them containing life like manequins depicting some of the cases that occurred during the life of the jail - outside each cell is a board telling the stories of what occurred taken from the newspapers at the time. The stories range from horrific murders to very sad stories of the people involved to ridiculous and humerous punishments dished out to children. The prison cells are distributed over several floors and are only dimly lighted which further adds to the atmosphere. The "Most Haunted" TV program visited the jail and seemingly found it "ghostly" - I did not find this but I dont believe in ghosts! The jail also contains the execution pit still in working condition used to carry out hangings into the 20th century. As I mentioned earlier the stories are the best bit of the jail - there is one story of some children (aged 10 and 12) who were brought before the court for playing "shove halfpenny" on a Sunday!. Another tells the story of a man who took his wife to the local market with a rope around her waist and sold her to another man - they offered two pence for her which was refused but he finally accepted four pence! There is the sad story of a woman who murdered her illegitmate baby because the man who wanted to marry her did not want someone elses child (she was hanged). There is the humerous story of Anne Jefferies who in 1826 was believed to be a "changeling" and whose healing powers were famous - she was eventually jailed at Bodmin and was given no food - it is said she was not affected by this and lost no weight - it was claimed that she was fed each night by fairies in her cell! The attraction is not suitable for people who have difficulty climbing steep stairs. Charges Adults £6.00 Children £3.75 Seniors £4.25
My top tips:  Great place to visit on a rainy day - the entrance is via a pub/restaurant so you can have lunch/refreshments as well
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Submitted by:   beejay on 01 October 2010
 

 
 

 

 
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