Old Police Cells Museum

About the museum

The museum occupies the basement of Brighton Town Hall, where the town's main police station and its holding cells were based from 1830 to 1967. The cells remain as they were used, and prisoners left graffiti on the walls, including Mods and Rockers inscriptions from 1964. The story of the station includes the murder of Chief Constable Henry Solomon by a prisoner in 1844.

The museum tells the history of policing and crime in Sussex through objects, documents and the cells themselves. Displays include the original court model made in connection with the IRA bombing of the Grand Hotel in Brighton and a two-way radio system developed by a Brighton police officer. It is run as a registered charity, and visitors see it on a guided tour led by the museum's team.

Highlights

• Original police cells beneath Brighton Town Hall
• Prisoner graffiti, including Mods and Rockers inscriptions from 1964
• Court model linked to the IRA bombing of the Grand Hotel
• Two-way radio system developed by a Brighton police officer
• Story of the 1844 murder of Chief Constable Henry Solomon

Permanent exhibition

• Old Police Cells guided tour – A guided walk through the original police cells beneath the Town Hall, covering about 200 years of policing and crime in Sussex, with prisoner graffiti and police equipment.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Old Police Cells Museum (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

The public tour costs 6 pounds per person plus an online booking fee. Groups of seven or more should contact the museum before booking.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

The museum is in a historic underground site with uneven floors, steps, variable lighting, limited ventilation and changing temperatures, and it can be warm in winter. Both sets of cells are reached by a short walk and a few steps up. A lift serves a corridor beside the men's cells, which has one step at the doorway; the doorway fits some wheelchairs but not all larger powered models. Guide dogs are welcome. Face masks are available on request. Visitors with accessibility, health or comfort concerns are asked to contact the museum in advance.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is in Brighton Town Hall, Bartholomew Square. A BTN Bikeshare hub is outside the Town Hall, with cycle parking in Pool Valley and outside the Jubilee Library.

Amenities & 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