Dartmoor Prison Museum
Dartmoor Prison Museum, Princetown
Dartmoor Prison Museum
Dartmoor Prison Museum
4
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
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Best nearby
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Attractions
6 within 3 miles
HMP Dartmoor Prison Heritage Centre
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Contribute
Popular mentions
4.0
625 reviews
Excellent
253
Very good
254
Average
78
Poor
26
Terrible
14
barticus67
Southampton, UK111 contributions
Surprisingly interesting
May 2021 • Couples
This is definitely worth a visit. There are so many pieces of history and stories “locked up” here… My wife particularly liked the escape stories. I hope they inspired her, as I will be collecting her again in ten years time!
Written June 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Elizabeth21
Norfolk, UK1 contribution
A fantastic visit, enjoyed by all the family.
Jun 2021 • Family
Absolutely brilliant visit here enjoyed by a family from a 5 year old to a 50 year old!
Lots to see and read, fascinating stories and a little gift shop with items made by current serving prisoners!
We spent about and hour and half here and loved every minute. Could of easily spent more time reading more and taking it all in if time had allowed!
Highly recommend!!!
Lots to see and read, fascinating stories and a little gift shop with items made by current serving prisoners!
We spent about and hour and half here and loved every minute. Could of easily spent more time reading more and taking it all in if time had allowed!
Highly recommend!!!
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
60tripper
Exeter, UK36 contributions
Waiting for an upgrade?
May 2021
Lots of fascinating stories and artefacts - but a lot of it displayed in countless typed A4 sheets. To have read everything would have taken hours and with distancing that would have been impossible. There is a great little museum to be created from what they have, but sadly this was not curated very helpfully. Perhaps this is what is planned for the future, once the prison has closed? (Could use a toilet too!). Did spark my interest in the history of the Prison and I will do some research online - would just have preferred to have it presented in a digestible form.
Written May 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
R fenn
Hopton on Sea, UK3 contributions
Iconic prison
Mar 2020 • Couples
Visit 2019. Not March 2020 as I can’t select any other.
Firstly must just say that some low rating stars are uncalled for, and 15 minutes to do the museum is a total nonsense. My visit was very enjoyable being able to get some insight on how prison life was all about, how clever the inmates were too. I can go on but you should visit if you are in this lovely part of the country and for the price of a loaf of bread to go in its a cheap way of spending an hour or so learning how this iconic Dartmoor prison operated.
Firstly must just say that some low rating stars are uncalled for, and 15 minutes to do the museum is a total nonsense. My visit was very enjoyable being able to get some insight on how prison life was all about, how clever the inmates were too. I can go on but you should visit if you are in this lovely part of the country and for the price of a loaf of bread to go in its a cheap way of spending an hour or so learning how this iconic Dartmoor prison operated.
Written February 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carol lloyd
3 contributions
Brilliant museum
Dec 2020
Visited yesterday and what a great little museum. We were greeted by 2 guys who were very friendly and informative and took time to answer questions. The exhibits are interesting and downstairs there are some eye opening (probably literally) exhibits of confiscated items. I would recommend a visit.
Written December 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
tt1234
Bristol, UK4 contributions
Poor
Oct 2020 • Family
Absolutely shocking. Drove over a hour for a 15min walk round, nothing like we was expecting to see. It’s not worth £1
You’ll be disappointed
Only good thing it’s a nice drive through the moor.
You’ll be disappointed
Only good thing it’s a nice drive through the moor.
Written October 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
RachaelVR46
Weymouth, UK173 contributions
Fantastic museum
Mar 2020 • Couples
What a great museum about the history of the prison.
We were greeted by a really friendly and extremely knowledgeable guy.
I asked a few questions and he answered them with added facts.
There is so much to see and read in the museum.
I just found it so interesting.
For £4 per person it's a bargain.
Just a great place to visit!
We were greeted by a really friendly and extremely knowledgeable guy.
I asked a few questions and he answered them with added facts.
There is so much to see and read in the museum.
I just found it so interesting.
For £4 per person it's a bargain.
Just a great place to visit!
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Leanne W
Colyton, UK83 contributions
An eye opener.
May 2019
Very interesting history lessons. Interesting exhibits and documentation. Staff were helpful and informative.
It’s a bit like a tardis, as there’s more there than you think.
It’s a bit like a tardis, as there’s more there than you think.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
christopher c
6 contributions
A very interesting place to visit
Feb 2020
If you are interested in history this is the place to visit lots of information about the inmates, wardens and past events of the prison....reduced rates for senior citizens..the guide was very helpful and informative
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wilderfox
Chudleigh, UK6 contributions
Spontaneous visit
Feb 2020 • Couples
Decided to have a look while passing with my wife and it was way better than expected. Well worth a visit
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SouthYorkshireNurse
south yorkshire15 contributions
Is the museum open daily and what are the times.
mastermac10
Waltham Forest, UK8 contributions
Can I visit the prison with a dog?
Janet019
Andover, UK87 contributions
sorry dont know.
Jacqueline B
1 contribution
How much to get into the museum
Basher H
18 contributions
Very cheap. I think under £5
martincgilbert
Baldock, UK44 contributions
Is it any good for people with limited mobility as I would like to take my grandad
Andrew T
Torquay, UK147 contributions
There is a flight of stairs separating the two levels and I am not sure if there is a lift.Otherwise I would say the museum is suitable.
shanethornton67
Bath, UK0 contributions
Can you visit the prison itself ?
derekbjohnstone
Polegate, UK119 contributions
If you commit a heinous crime, then yes but as a ordinary member of the public then no. Worth mentioning NO photography allowed in museum
Cas Emilie
London, UK39 contributions
are dogs allowed in the museum?
PQ2012
Manchester, UK9 contributions
Hi there
It says on their website that 'Dogs welcome in museum if well behaved and on a lead' and there were a couple of dogs there when we visited - not sure what they made of the exhibits though!
lizziecharlton1967
Princetown, UK0 contributions
Why is there no cafe at the museum? This would make visitors feel more welcome and increase income to then be spent on updating the museum. There is nowhere for visitors to relax at this end of the village, because of this, many visitors (especially the elderly and very young) will be put off the walk to the other end of the village.
derekbjohnstone
Polegate, UK119 contributions
Prison food?
Peter P
Southerness, UK8 contributions
Is it open at weekends?
Yes it is open weekends Friday and Sunday 09.30 -16.00 last entry 15.30. Mobday to Thursday & Saturday 9.30 to 16.30. last entry 16.00.
Hope that's ok for you.
Am sorry for delay as I was on Holiday in Majorca just got home.
Goid luck
Paul R
Brisbane, Australia17 contributions
What is the road like between Plymouth and Princetown.? I will be travelling in September.
Jock M
Ashford, UK187 contributions
My initial answer would have been to look at the map and work it out yourself but we did experience some "interesting" conditions within the park this winter. Road by the prison was truly awash and best taken carefully. Many other dips had become fords. Some in and around the park were impassable to low slung sports cars. There was also a dead cow in the road so you just need to take care. If you were walking the moors you'd probably accept the routes "as are" and look more closely at the weather forecast. I reckon on the same approach for driving. Cayenne took it all in it's stride; BMW Z4 wouldn't have stood a chance. "Be Prepared" has been around as a motto for 109 years and is possibly most relevant for people who really want to explore places like Dartmoor!
Frequently Asked Questions about Dartmoor Prison Museum
- Dartmoor Prison Museum is open:
- Mon - Fri 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near Dartmoor Prison Museum:
- (0.19 mi) The Chapel at The Oratory
- (0.30 mi) Callisham Farm
- (0.43 mi) Duchy House Bed and Breakfast
- (0.58 mi) Plume of Feathers Inn
- (1.16 mi) Tor Royal Bed & Breakfast
- Restaurants near Dartmoor Prison Museum:
- (0.59 mi) Fox Tor Cafe
- (0.50 mi) The Old Police Station Cafe
- (0.48 mi) The Prince of Wales
- (0.58 mi) The Plume of Feathers Inn
- (0.59 mi) The Game Larder