Grove Prison Museum
Small volunteer-run museum in the former deputy governor's house at HMP Portland, telling the story of the convict prison, its prisoners and officers.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Grove Prison Museum opened in 2014 in the former deputy governor's house, across the road from the old gatehouse of HMP Portland on the Isle of Portland in Dorset. It is a community project run by volunteers, and visitors enter through the community gardens next to the prison.
The convict prison at Portland was established in 1848 to provide labour for quarrying the stone needed for the breakwaters that created Portland Harbour for the Admiralty. The harbour walls took 22 years to build, from 1848 to 1870. The museum tells the stories of the convicts and prison staff and explains how the prison affected the island and its community.
Highlights
- Housed in the former deputy governor's house of HMP Portland
- Stories of convicts, prison staff and island life
- Link to the building of the Portland Harbour breakwaters
Permanent exhibition
- The story of HMP Portland – Displays on the convicts and prison staff of the Portland convict prison and on the prison's effect on the island and its community.
- Founded
- 2014
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free entry; donations are welcome.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The entrance has three steps.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum is close to the Jailhouse Diner café.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
