Bodmin Jail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bodmin Jail |
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Bodmin Jail as seen from Cardell Road in 2010
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| Alternative names | Bodmin Gaol |
| General information | |
| Status | Converted to attraction and hotel. |
| Type | Former prison, current tourist attraction |
| Town or city | Bodmin |
| Country | England |
| Opened | 1779 |
| Renovated | 2015 - 2017 |
| Closed | Jail closed in 1927, later reopened as a tourist attraction. |
| Renovation cost | £8.5 million |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Sir John Call |
| Other information | |
| Parking | Public car park nearby |
Bodmin Jail is a famous old prison in Bodmin, Cornwall. It sits near the edge of Bodmin Moor. The jail was built in 1779 and closed its doors in 1927. After many years, parts of the old prison became a popular place for tourists to visit. More recently, another large section was turned into a hotel.
Contents
The Story of Bodmin Jail
From Prison to Museum (1779-1927)
Sir John Call designed Bodmin Jail. Prisoners of war helped build it in 1779. The jail was open for 150 years. During that time, it was a place where serious punishments were carried out. It was also the first prison in Britain to keep prisoners in their own separate cells.
The jail stopped being a prison in 1927. Since then, Cornwall has not had its own prison.
During the end of World War I, important British documents were kept safe at the prison. These included the famous Domesday Book. These historical papers were stored there from 1918 to 1919.
Bodmin Jail Today
Bodmin Jail is now a hotel, which opened in 2021. Before that, a big renovation project started in 2015. Today, Bodmin Jail Limited runs a museum, a gift shop, and offers guided tours.
Visitors can choose from different tours at the jail. There is a heritage tour to learn about its history. You can also take a paranormal walk or explore on your own. The attraction lets you see original jail cells and the old administration building. There is even a recreated part of Bodmin Moor where the old hospital wing used to be.
The paranormal tours offer a ghost-hunting experience. Guests can use special tools to try and connect with spirits.
Ghost Stories and Mysteries
Bodmin Jail is known for many ghost stories. It attracts people who study the paranormal. Ghost walk events are also held there for visitors.
A TV Show Investigates
The TV show Most Haunted filmed an episode at Bodmin Jail. This was in Series 6, Episode 1. The team tried to find paranormal activity. The presenter, Yvette Fielding, and a medium, Derek Acorah, were there.
The team claimed to have found strange lights and sounds. Derek Acorah even said a spirit named Kreed Kafer took over his body. Later, it was found that "Kreed Kafer" was a made-up name. A crew member, Ciarán O'Keeffe, created it to test Derek Acorah. The name was an anagram for 'Derek Faker'.
Famous People Connected to the Jail
- F. Digby Hardy, a person held in the naval prison section.
