Shrewsbury Prison Self-Guided Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Shrewsbury Prison is the World’s most interactive prison, that inspires people, educating, engaging and immersing visitors through a journey behind bars.
Our mission is to preserve, protect and promote the history and heritage of Shrewsbury Prison, by shining a light on prison life from the Georgian era to the modern day. Visitors are given a unique and immersive prison experience combined with first class customer service.
Shrewsbury Prison was built in 1793 and closed in 2013, with over 200 years of history behind its walls including the countries last remaining Georgian prison.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We are dog friendly
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
All Fees and Taxes
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Shrewsbury Prison
If you’re looking for a day out with a difference, you’re in the right place. Explore the whole prison at your leisure, take photos and Selfies as you soak up the atmosphere of this amazing Victorian prison. An ideal day out for families with young children who would like to investigate at their own pace. You will be given a visitor guide and map, as you explore around the prison use the sound boxes to learn the facts and history of the prison. The information boards add a fascinating background detail to your visit with staff always available to point you in the right direction and answer any questions you may have.
Options
Shrewsbury Prison Self-Guided Tour
Reviews
419 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Novelty experience.
Vikinglongboat,
Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00There is a small pay and display car park opposite the prison gates / entrance which is very pricey and only accepts app payments / card payments. The railway station car park next to the prison is for rail users only. We wanted to spend a few more hours in Shrewsbury after visiting the prison so parked in the Abbey Foregate car park and walked up the hill, through town and to the castle / prison. It was only 60p an hour for parking at Abbey Foregate with ample spaces, but it is quite a walk. The prison self guided option allows you to wander around at your own leisure with a map. The map is needed as signage throughout the site is quite poor and confusing. We found the prison to be interesting and a different type of visitor attraction; however, apart from the 'haunted cell', execution room and novelty of visiting a prison - it was all a bit 'samey'. Once you have seen one cell then you have seen them all. Toilets were limited and the gift shop could have been better and had a better ambience. Staff we met were friendly and helpful. Overall I recommend this place for a different 'novelty' type of visit but we found it slightly underwhelming and a bit boring if truth be told.
Prison
Chris S,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very interesting not Ur usual theme park .my son found it.very eye opening . .cafe was nice ..plenty to see will definitely return at some point
Interesting prison but let down by poor presentation
chrismB7291QA,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Having grown up in Shrewsbury and remember hearing the prisoners in the prison I was excited about going around. The prison is impressive and crazy to think people were held here until 2013. It's impressive and scary walking around the Victorian cells. However the 'story' is not desperately well told, for a self guided tour then you are given a map and let loose, it is not clear where you should go. The prison also runs guided tours, unfortunately given the space etc. you often end up caught in one of these or unable to read the information signs. Worth a visit but could be presented better.
An interesting historical tour behind bars
Scottiboi93,
Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An interesting insight into Shrewsbury’s criminal history. Worth the visit for anyone wanting to see behind the prison walls.
Dog friendly and welcoming
RockyDino,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very friendly staff and dog friendly too! Had a great visit on a rainy day. Interesting site, with lots of clear historical information. Will return to stay overnight!
Prison visit
Frank H,
Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Captivated my imagination during the tour if the prison. Very clean and a great coffee shop with a nice choice of food. Well done to all working at the prison. 👍👍
Excellent
908maxinef,
Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent day out , good value , easy parking, Really atmospheric and interesting would highly recommend a visit . Good gift shop and staff were really helpful and friendly
Interesting experience -quirky
JanC377,
Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Great value as it’s fascinating and the information boards are really accessible . We saw people on a guided tour and that looked very good too but obviously more expensive . It can be a challenge to move from wing to wing when you are self guided but a wonderful lady helped us . We have been to a few prison experiences and this was the most grim prison emphasised by how long it took to get plumbing ! Makes you think ! Some people there had done the escape room experience and were buzzing! Definitely recommended so long as you don’t expect to be spoon fed
Prison Tour Good / Restaurant Terrible
marcgO3070XZ,
Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00We found the prison very interesting but the guide pamphlet and signage could be a lot better as not straight forward to follow. **Restuarant Review** Terrible..... the tables are dirty, the floor is filthy. For £22 we had 2 x Luke warm coffee. 2 x sausage rolls which were horrible, made worse in that they were microwaved! The saving grace was a slice of Carrott cake which was very nice.
Great customer service
piph967,
Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I went to have a look around the Prison this weekend. I really enjoyed the visit, lots of historical & interesting information without being too overloading. What really stands out is the incredible customer service. I visited as an ambulatory wheelchair user, and due to the historical building, not every area is accessible. This is advertised on their website. The staff were brilliant with helping me find alternative routes and the easiest access points. The staff In the cafe were also extremely helpful. Well worth a visit!
From £15.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Chat with us on social
Related Experiences
Operated by Shrewsbury Prison