Jailhouse Tour, Shrewsbury Prison, Shropshire
Details
Accessibility
Owing to the venue's historic construction, there is step-access to the prison's upper floor areas for visitors and to a number of areas on its ground floor. This includes in the vestibule corridor on entering the main Prison Building at the start of tour from the Prison Gatehouse and ticket office. Therefore wheelchair access on the ground floor may only be feasible with some manual assistance by a companion and not feasible at all in areas of the building which have more steps; see https://www.shrewsburyprison.com/plan-your-day/accessibility/
Shrewsbury Prison museum's Ladies, Gents and Disabled Toilet facilities are to be found at a number of locations at ground floor level.
There is also a fully disabled-accessible Restaurant are located on ground floor.
Brief description
'Shrewsbury Prison' museum offers a variety of guided and self-guided tours and other interactive events, of the former working prison known as 'The Dana' in Shrewsbury. The prison was built in 1793 by William Blackburn who was influenced in the design of this and many other prisons he built by the famous prison reformer, John Howard. As a working prison, Shrewsbury Prison was operative for over 200 years until its closure in 2013.
The museum has a wide variety of fascinating artefacts and memorabilia of what life was like for in-mates and prison staff at the former prison, from Victorian times onwards. It's guided tours are led by ex-prison officers. Visitors are able to explore much of the prison buildings including 'A' Wing which housed male prisoners and 'C' Wing which housed female prisoners. The tours take in the former prisoners' cells, the Reception where prisoners first arrived, the Governor's Office, Prison Healthcare Centre, Exercise Yards, Prison Chapel, the Prison Visiting Block, Isolation Rooms and the Execution Room which was in use until execution of prisoners was ended in Great Britain..
The museum offers visitors: self-guided tours, general guided tours, a range of other themed guided tours and a variety of other special, interactive/ participatory events - for further details including of age restrictions on the themed tours and special events, see link: What's On.
Ticket prices for self-guided and general guided tour (as at April 2021):
Self-Guided tours (Timed tickets - duration 2 hours) (Ticket price includes Map and visitor information leaflet).
- Adults - £10
- Children - £7
General Guided tours (Timed tickets - duration 2 hours) Ticket price includes for Tour Guide ).
- Adults - £18
- Children - £12.50
Address
Shrewsbury Prison
The Dana
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY1 2HP
Email link on Shrewsbury Prison museum website: Contact - Shrewsbury Prison
Phone
01743 343100
Website
https://www.shrewsburyprison.com/
Directions
By Road: Shrewsbury Prison museum is in Shrewsbury Town Centre, on Howard Street just off the A5191. The museum has a small car park opposite the prison ( SAT NAV: SY1 2HP). Additional parking can be found at Shrewsbury Train Station car park (pay & display) 50 metres/yards away from the prison entrance on Howard Street ( SAT NAV: SY1 2LF).
Opening Times
Usual Opening Times - Open daily 10am - 5pm by pre-booked timed-tickets: website link to make bookings: Tickets - Shrewsbury Prison (excluding Christmas Day , Boxing Day and New Year's Day). As at April 2021: Self-guided tours are available 10am - 5pm; general guided tours: at 2pm daily Monday-Friday, at 11am and 2pm Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
The venue has been closed under National Government COVID-19 Regulations, but is due to re-open with some tours from mid-May 2021 and other events and other facilities subject to Government COVID-19 Regulations being lifted. .
Visitors are advised to always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information on opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change.
Transport
By Train: Shrewsbury Station is approximately 0.3 miles by road from Shrewsbury Prison museum. The Station has step-free access to all platforms - there is lift access available to platforms 3 - 7 inclusive (The lift to Platform 3 is accessible from the front of the station. The lift to Platforms 4 to 7 is situated at the end of the subway beyond the ticket barriers). The station is manned daily during opening hours with the following facilities available:
- Ladies, Gents and Disabled toilets - the disabled toilets (accessible by national 'Radar key') are located on platform 4A.
- Refreshment facilities
- Wheelchairs .
No waiting room and no baby-changing facilities are available.
Pedestrian routes from Shrewsbury Station to the museum:
- The shortest pedestrian route from the Station to the museum (approx 2-3 minutes walk) is via a footbridge to Howard Street over the railway line adjacent to the station entrance - however this has stepped access-only to the path leading to the footbridge - this route is not accessible to Wheelchairs.
- Alternative pedestrian route ( approximately 0.3 miles) - from the Station entrance , turn right onto the A5191 main road bridge over the railway line leading to Castle Foregates Street, then turn right into Howard Street on which Shrewsbury Prison museum is situated. (Caution: Howard Street is long and steeply sloped).
A taxi rank is available outside the Station and journey by taxi to the museum ( 0.3 miles) may be more suitable for infirm or mobility-impaired visitors.
By Bus:
Shrewsbury Prison museum is approximately 0.2 miles from Shrewsbury Bus Station. Bus services no. 2,24,25 and 64 stop near Shrewsbury Prison (nearest bus stops: Shrewsbury Railway Station and near to the junction of Howard Street and Castle Foregate).
Amenities:
- Restaurant - serving hot drinks, snacks and hot meals. Children's menu also available.
- Gift Shop
- Children's 'Play-barn' set in the former Prison Gymnasium/Sports Hall.
Travel Information
For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info
Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)
Location
Nearest Venues
Shrewsbury Train Station, Shropshire
109 metres*
126 metres*
Shropshire Library - Shrewsbury, Shropshire
225 metres*
St Mary the Virgin Church, Shrewsbury
405 metres*
St Alkmund's Church, Shrewsbury
537 metres*
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.