Dartmoor Prison Museum
Museum at HMP Dartmoor in Princetown on 200 years of the prison, from Napoleonic prisoners of war to convicts, famous inmates and escapes.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Dartmoor Prison Museum at Princetown tells the story of HMP Dartmoor, which has stood on the high moor for more than 200 years. Building work started on 20 March 1806, when the foundation stone was laid, and took about twice as long as the planned year and a half.
The first prisoners arrived in 1809. During the Napoleonic Wars the depot held French prisoners and, from 1813, American ones, and disease killed thousands of them before the last prisoners left in 1816 and the site closed. It reopened in 1850 as a convict prison, and convict labour built much of what is seen today. In 1917 it served as a labour camp for conscientious objectors, and in January 1932 a mutiny broke out in which the administration block was set on fire.
The museum displays life-size models of Napoleonic soldiers, manacles and other restraints, prison uniforms through the years, weapons, and objects made by convicts such as models and paintings. It also covers famous prisoners and escapes. The prison itself still holds lower-category prisoners today, and the museum reports more than 35,000 visitors a year.
Highlights
- Life-size models of Napoleonic soldiers
- Restraints and prison memorabilia, including a straitjacket
- Objects made by convicts, from models to improvised weapons
- Famous prisoners and escapes
- Prisoner of War memorials (guided tours by arrangement)
Permanent exhibitions
- Two centuries of Dartmoor Prison – Models of Napoleonic soldiers, restraints, uniforms and weapons tracing the prison from prisoner of war depot to convict prison.
- Famous prisoners and escapes – Stories of well-known inmates and escape attempts, with objects made by convicts.
- Founded
- 1992
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £4Children under 16 and over-65s |
| Children & teens | £4free up to age 4 · Children under 16 pay £4; under-5s are free. |
| Seniors | £4Over 65. |
| Groups | £4 per personPer person for groups of more than 10, booked by telephone. |
| Families | £152 adults and up to 3 children. |
Card payment only; cash is not currently accepted.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Access inside the museum is currently limited; visitors are asked to call for full details. Dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking is next to the museum, and coaches park free.
The museum is at HMP Dartmoor in Princetown.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Non-commercial photography is allowed. |
| Good to know | Guided tours of the Prisoner of War memorials are available by arrangement. Groups of 10 or more should book in advance so that parking can be ensured; school visits are welcome and a short talk can be given at the end if requested. Book by phone on 01822 322130. |
