Bodmin Jail, History museum in Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Bodmin Jail is a former prison built in the late 1700s that now displays exhibits about crime, punishment, and how people lived in past centuries. Stone corridors and individual cells guide visitors through spaces that reveal the routines and conditions of incarcerated people.
The jail was built in 1779 and was one of the first in Britain to use individual cells for prisoners. It operated for nearly 150 years before closing in the early 20th century.
The building displays personal items and letters from those who were imprisoned there, offering insight into how inmates experienced confinement. Visitors encounter the voices and stories of real people who lived through these conditions.
Visitors can join guided tours or explore the building independently at their own pace. The entire site is fully wheelchair accessible.
During World War I, the prison stored precious national documents, including the Domesday Book, to protect them from potential air raids. This unusual chapter reveals how the building served a surprising purpose beyond imprisonment.
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