Locked In Time: Visiting Shepton Mallet Prison
Updated: Oct 9
Shepton Mallet Prison has been standing since 1625, making it one of the most historically significant correctional facilities in the UK, until its closure in 2013.
A short walk from Town Lane into Frithfield Lane takes you under the shadow of an impossibly tall wall. The presence of the prison makes itself felt immediately. The high, oppressive stone wall dominates the right side of your vision as you walk into the modern entrance. The feeling of being engulfed continues as you enter through the old visiting area, which now serves as a café, shop, and ticket office.
During my visit this summer, I opted to explore the site with the guidance of a prison map, though visitors can also sign up for paid guided tours led by former prison officers.
As you wander freely through the execution room, mortuary, and cellblocks, you discover fascinating pieces of history. For instance, during World War II, Shepton Mallet Prison served as a secure repository for priceless national treasures from The National Archives and the Public Record Office in London, including the Magna Carta, the Domesday Book of 1086, and Guy Fawkes’ written confession. They were all safely held in the original women's wing at the prison.
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Shepton Prison Infirmary
I was particularly interested in the prison infirmary, located on the top floor of the building that originally housed the old treadwheel. After ascending a narrow stone staircase you enter the confined infirmary room spanning the entire length of the building.
Standing in that space prompted an intriguing question: What were the top five illnesses and diseases that afflicted prisoners here throughout history?
1. Smallpox
Caused by the variola virus, smallpox had no effective treatment until the introduction of variolation and later mandatory vaccination in 1853. Confinement to small, poorly ventilated cells ensured the virus spread easily among prisoners through coughing and sneezing.
2. Tuberculosis (Gaol Consumption)
An airborne bacterial infection, TB spread quickly through narrow stairwells and dark cells. The damp conditions of the prison further weakened prisoners' respiratory systems. Treatment often involved shifting afflicted prisoners from a standard low-calorie diet to an "infirmary diet" consisting of cod liver oil, whole milk, and eggs. Bloodletting, through cutting or leeches, was also common practice.
3. Typhus Fever (Gaol Fever)
Typhus was spread by Rickettsia bacteria carried by body lice. Early treatment methods included cell fumigation, bloodletting, and even drafts of port wine. It was only with the advent of modern antibiotics that the disease could be effectively cured.
4. Cholera
Cholera is caused by a bacterial infection that releases toxins in the small intestine, typically spread through contaminated water. The prison relied on two natural wells, with two designated prisoners carrying buckets of water throughout the prison for washing, cleaning, and cooking.
5. Scabies
Known simply as "the itch," this highly contagious skin infection was caused by tiny mites infesting the straw bedding used by prisoners. Treatment was harsh: prisoners were scrubbed down and coated with Wilkinson’s ointment to poison the mites.
Shepton Mallet Prison is well worth a visit, especailly if you have ancestors who spent time in prison. There is much information on the history of crime and punishement and the role the Prison played locally as a military prison during the second world war.
Visitor Information
Location: Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England.
Book your tickets: https://www.sheptonmalletprison.com/groups-behind-bars/coach-trips-tours/
Tours: Self-guided map and guided tours led by ex-prison officers are available.
Accessibility Note: Certain areas, such as the top-floor infirmary, require climbing steep and narrowl stairs. There is also some uneven flooring around the prison.
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