Dartmoor Prison Museum

Dartmoor Prison Museum

Unlocking the history of one of England's most famous prisons, Dartmoor Prison Museum reflects the heritage of HMP Dartmoor from Prisoner of War Depot to the present day. The interesting collection of artefacts provides a unique insight into prison life both past and present.

Visit website

  • Museum Entrance

    Dartmoor Prison Museum, which used to be advertised as Dartmoor Prison Heritage Centre, opened in this Old Prison Dairy in 1997. It has retained its character, but displays to our many visitors Dartmoor's history of more than 200 years. The Museum is accessed from the car park.

  • Museum Gift Items

    We have many gift shop items for sale to our visitors, a large number of which have been made in the prison workshops.

  • Bone Carvings Made By Former Prisoners Of War

    Original French Prisoners of War made use of old bones from sides of beef and mutton, and carved very inticate items, to barter with local traders for fruit and vegetables to subsidise their War Depot food issue that was mass produced.

  • Confiscated Weapons and Escape Items

    We have a display of items which have been confiscated from prisoners. These include mobile phones, weapons, tattoo equipment and anything that helps them escape.

  • Prisoner of War Cemeteries

    There are 2 PoW cemeteries at the rear of the prison for men of the Napoleonic War and War of 1812 which contain nearly 1500 bodies. These are off limits to the general public but tours to these cemeteries can be booked via the Museum.

Admission & prices

Opening Times

Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs and Sat 9.30 to 16.30
Fri and Sun 9.30 to 16.00

Admission Prices

Adults £4.00 each
Under 18 £3.00 each
Over 60 £3.00 each
Families £12.00 each (2 adults and up to 3 under 18's or 1 adult with 4 under 18's)


Please note: the last time of admission is 30 minutes before advertised closing time.

Find us

From Tavistock, turn right towards Princetown, the museum is found next to the first few buildings on the right.
From Plymouth turn left up through Princetown centre, past the Prison gate (1/2 mile) to park just past the old prison dairy, the museum

Museum news

View all news articles

  • Agricultural Display

    Agricultural Display

    For those visitors with an interest in farming and in particular the Prison Farm, we include some ex prison estate items, such as haykickers, tractor rakes and winnowing machines......

    Read article

  •  

    WAR OF 1812

    This summer has seen the passing of 200 years from when President Madison delared war on our King George, which ultimately saw the arrival of 6500 American Prisoner\'s Of War here when Dartmoor was a Depot built to accom......

    Read article

Information

  • Parking available
  • Toilets On-Site
  • Wheelchair access
  • Childrens activities
  • Gift Shop

Lots of gifts and souvenir items are made by prisoners in the workshops at Dartmoor.
The Museum does not have onsite catering but there are 3 cafes and 2 pubs in the village, located 500 yards from the Museum

The Museum has its own free car park at the front of the museum building.
The building can be accessed via a ramp to the front of the building.
We welcome well behaved dogs on a lead.
Photography is allowed if for non commercial reasons.
We welcome booking from coach and tour parties and coach parking can be arranged.
We welcome school groups and support all aspects of the national Curriculum.
We can undertake both personal family research and research by academics or academic groups.

Dartmoor Prison Museum
H.M.P. Dartmoor
Princetown
Yelverton
Devon
Princetown
PL20 6RR

T: 01822 322130
E: paul.finegan@justice.gov.uk

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Dartmoor Prison Museum

Dartmoor Prison Museum
H.M.P. Dartmoor
Princetown
Yelverton
Devon
Princetown, DEVON PL20 6RR