Visit us and learn about 'life inside' one of the world's most famous and notorious jails. Our museum attracts more than 35,000 visitors every year from all over the world. Some of the artefacts and documents on display will surprise you but will certainly enable you to form an opinion about prison life.
Vividly portrayed are more than 200 years of this prison's turbulent history ranging from the beginning, when Dartmoor was a Prisoner of War Depot for French and American prisoners of war, to the later convict era through to today. We look forward to seeing you! See life-size models of Napoleonic soldiers in colourful period uniforms.
Vividly portrayed are more than 200 years of this prison's turbulent history ranging from the beginning, when Dartmoor was a Prisoner of War Depot for French and American prisoners of war, to the later convict era through to today. We look forward to seeing you! See life-size models of Napoleonic soldiers in colourful period uniforms.
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Reading about the 'A-Frame' sent shivers down my spine. The museum has a wonderful collection and provides a very real sense of what prison like was like. Interesting and poignant. What brutal places prisons were and some were not even criminals, but prisoners of war and others conscientious objects!
Updated times and dates regarding the opening of the Museum will be posted on the website. Disabled and Wheelchair Access - The Museum is accessed via a ramp to the front door but some exhibits require the use of stairs. Unfortunately we do not have a lift so these may be inaccessible to some visitors.
We are able to accommodate large groups of 10 or more people, but please book in advance in order that we can ensure available parking space. Guided tours to the Prisoner of War Memorials are available by arrangement. We welcome all educational visits and will, wherever possible and at your request, give a short talk to your group at the end of the visit.
Reviews (11)
Food Ninja
Nov 24, 2021
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We decided to visit the museum on a whim as we are visiting the Dartmoor area. I didn't know anything about it, just thought I'd be cool to visit a museum about a prison. Didn't realise the actual prison was across the road with 600+ prisoners! Very cool. £4 for adults and well worth it as you get to learn more about it and see a whole load of things made by the prisoners; weapons, art, and matchstick decor!
Took us about 1.5 hours.
Took us about 1.5 hours.
Andrew Drake
Oct 24, 2021
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Prashant Shukla
Oct 23, 2021
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Brad Davis
Sep 29, 2021
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Antony Socrates
Sep 22, 2021
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Alice Buck
Sep 17, 2021
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This place was amazing! So much bigger than expected with so much information. The lady that greeted us was fantastic and started our experience off with some interesting facts. We could have easily spent 2 hours in there. My favourite part was definitely the confiscated smuggled items/weapons room.
M. Hovezak
Sep 12, 2021
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From a museography and design/accessibility point of view this museum is a bit of a mess, but it’s quite interesting nonetheless. Lots of prisoner made and curated content, this place tells you a lot about what makes this high sec prison tick, and if you read between the lines you get the unofficial version too (make sure to look at the cells and the confiscated object room)
John Wadsworth
Aug 14, 2021
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An interesting and informative museum spread over a mix of themed rooms located in the old prison farm buildings across the road from the current (August 2021) prison. Lots and lots of information is presented, perhaps a little intense for younger ones, some items on show feel a bit "tired" but still good to see. Most surprising were some of the "items" confiscated from more recent prison inmates that were displayed. Dartmoor does not have many "indoor" attractions so this will get crowded if the weather turns bad.
Grace Doodle
Jun 25, 2021
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Lots of detailed info to read. So very interesting. The flow seemed a bit disjointed. As there was masses of info on a4 paper in text and I am not the best reader. Would still reccomend not bad for the price but would make sure your up for standing and reading a lot.
Loved the weather rock. Will be getting my own.
No pics of inside allowed. So the only one I've included.
Loved the weather rock. Will be getting my own.
No pics of inside allowed. So the only one I've included.
Caroline S.
May 26, 2019
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Cute little museum with lots of history about the prison - the building and also the different uniforms throughout the years. There is a mock up cell to see and lots of hand painted garden ornaments made in the prison itself.
A nice day out when added to a walk on the moors and a pub lunch.
Not a huge museum, so don't allow all day!
A nice day out when added to a walk on the moors and a pub lunch.
Not a huge museum, so don't allow all day!
Linda H.
May 06, 2009
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