Why visit Bodmin Jail this Halloween
04 October 2024
Self-Guided Entry and The Haunted Gallery
Visitors can begin their Halloween journey with Self-Guided Entry to Bodmin Jail, allowing them to explore the eerie corridors and learn about the rich…
Halloween Traditions and Their Origins
03 October 2024
The practice of trick-or-treating originates in the winding history of Samhain, where communities would leave food offerings at their doorsteps to appease restless spirits. English children would go ‘guiding’ or…
The History of Halloween
03 October 2024
Halloween traces its roots back over 2,000 years to the ancient Celts and their festival of Samhain.
Celebrated on the evening of October 31st, Samhain marked the end of the…
'Jack the Ripper' in Bodmin Jail?
04 May 2024
The paranoia and fear this name created caused accusations and suspicions across the country as a whole, Cornwall not being left out. The County saw a few men arrested and…
Beast of Bodmin colouring sheet download
16 April 2024
Calling all artists...
Get ready to embark on a captivating journey into the realm of mythical beasts. As we gear up to celebrate the mesmerising Beast of Bodmin Carnival on…
Twilight Tours – Entertaining Executions
10 April 2024
You may be aware that here at Bodmin Jail we hanged 55 prisoners by a mixture of short drop & long drop hanging executions. If you’ve visited us previously, then…
Bodmin Jail wins international Tripadvisor award
26 March 2024
Bodmin Jail has been recognised by Tripadvisor as a 2023 Travellers’ Choice award winner for attractions.
The coveted award celebrates businesses that have consistently received great reviews over the last…
Lights Out! Bodmin Jail Unveils the Ultimate Half-Term Thrill
08 February 2024
Bodmin Jail invites thrill-seekers and the bravest among us to experience the spine-chilling allure of "Lights Out!" – the Southwest's latest scare attraction. Set against the backdrop of the jail's…
Christmas in a Victorian prison
11 December 2023
Here are some aspects of how Christmas might have been observed in a Victorian prison:
1. A Bleak Environment: Prisons in the Victorian era were often grim and harsh places.…
Unveiling the Enigmatic Origins of Krampus: A Dive into the Dark Side of Holiday Folklore
04 December 2023
The Ancient Roots
The tale of Krampus finds its roots in pre-Christian Alpine traditions, where the winter solstice was celebrated with various rituals to ward off evil spirits. One such…
Unwrapping the Magic: The Origins of Santa's Reindeer
27 November 2023
The Oldest Reindeer Herder: Sámi People
The story of Santa's reindeer begins with the indigenous Sámi people, who have herded and domesticated reindeer for centuries. The Sámi, who reside in…
A Dickensian Delight: Celebrating Christmas Victorian Style
20 November 2023
Deck the Halls
One of the most iconic symbols of a Victorian Christmas is the Christmas tree. Popularised by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who were depicted with their family…
100 Years, 100 Stories: Our brand new immersive exhibition
01 February 2023
Selina Wadge was 28 years old on Thursday 15th August 1887 when she left the condemned cell at Bodmin Jail and made the short walk to the hanging spot, the…
The History & Origins of Krampus
05 December 2022
It was the night before the feast of St Nicholas and children are leaving their shoes outside in hopes that upon waking, they will find sweets and presents. But some…
The History of Halloween
30 October 2022
Before the church and the candy companies, the plastic skeletons and food shaped like body parts there was the Celtic holiday of Samhain and the celebration of the Dark. So,…