The Dartmoor Prison Museum is a dedicated visitor attraction located in Princetown, Devon, situated yards from one of England’s most historic and infamous jails. Drawing more than 35,000 visitors a year, the museum tells the story of over 200 years of prison history — from Napoleonic prisoners of war to modern-day inmates — and offers a rare insight into life behind bars at one of Britain’s most remote penal institutions.

What is the Dartmoor Prison Museum?

The Dartmoor Prison Museum is an independent visitor attraction that sits adjacent to HM Prison Dartmoor in the village of Princetown, high on Dartmoor in Devon. It is housed in the old prison farm dairy, a converted outbuilding spread across two floors, and is run separately from the prison itself. The museum is not an active prison facility — it is a public heritage site open to visitors of all ages.

HMP Dartmoor itself, which dates back to 1809, has historically been one of the UK’s most well-known prisons, though as of late 2024 it has been closed to inmates following concerns about elevated radon gas levels. The museum, however, remains operational as a visitor attraction and continues to document the prison’s extraordinary two-century history. It is one of only a handful of museums in the UK dedicated entirely to prison heritage and is a popular destination for those interested in criminal history, dark tourism, and Dartmoor itself. Those wanting to understand more about active UK prisons can read our full list of HMP prisons.

History: From Napoleonic Prisoners to Modern Convicts

Dartmoor Prison was originally constructed during the Napoleonic Wars and opened in 1809. Its initial purpose was to house French prisoners of war who could no longer be accommodated on the hulk ships moored in Plymouth Sound. At its peak, the prison held tens of thousands of French prisoners, and later American prisoners captured during the War of 1812.

One of the darkest episodes in the prison’s early history is the so-called Dartmoor Massacre of April 1815, when guards opened fire on rioting American prisoners, killing seven and wounding dozens more. This incident is documented in the museum’s exhibits and remains a significant historical event in the history of British prisoner-of-war detention.

After the wars ended, the prison fell dormant for several decades before reopening in 1850 as a convict prison for civilian offenders. It subsequently housed some of the most dangerous criminals in Victorian England, and during the First World War it was used to detain conscientious objectors who refused military service. Throughout the twentieth century, Dartmoor remained one of the most iconic and feared institutions in the British prison system, partly due to its bleak moorland setting and harsh climate.

What Can You See at the Museum?

The Dartmoor Prison Museum contains exhibits spanning the full 200-plus year history of the institution. Among the highlights are life-size models of Napoleonic soldiers in period uniforms, providing a vivid representation of the prison’s earliest inmates. There are also intricate bone carvings crafted by French prisoners of war — remarkable examples of prisoner creativity and craftsmanship — alongside other examples of artwork produced by inmates across different eras.

One of the most distinctive exhibits is the “Black Museum,” which holds a collection of confiscated weapons and escape paraphernalia recovered over the decades. This display gives visitors a fascinating and sobering look at the lengths to which prisoners have gone to attempt escape or cause harm, and the ingenuity employed by those held in one of England’s most remote jails.

The museum also features reconstructed prison cells representing conditions from different periods, from the brutal austerity of the Victorian era to more modern facilities, allowing visitors to directly compare how conditions have changed over two centuries. Displays cover the Princetown Massacre, the history of the prison’s use during the First World War, and the transition from prisoner-of-war facility to civilian convict institution. Those with family members currently in the system can learn more about booking a prison visit.

Opening Times and Admission Prices (2026)

In 2026, the Dartmoor Prison Museum is open Monday to Thursday and on Saturdays from 9:30am to 4:30pm, with last entry at 4:00pm. On Fridays and Sundays the museum opens at 9:30am and closes at 4:00pm, with last entry at 3:30pm. Please note that the museum was closed on Good Friday 3 April and Saturday 4 April 2026 for the Easter bank holiday weekend — visitors who searched for information during this period may want to plan a visit after the Easter break.

Admission prices for 2026 are as follows. Adults are charged £5.00. Children under 16 and senior citizens over 65 pay £4.00. Children under 5 are admitted free of charge. A family ticket covering two adults and up to three children costs £15.00, and group bookings of ten or more persons are charged at £4.00 per person. Group bookings can be arranged by calling the museum directly. There is no charge for car parking in the immediate area, though visitors should be aware that Princetown can become very busy during peak holiday periods.

Getting There and Visitor Tips

Princetown sits at an elevation of approximately 430 metres above sea level on the open moor, making it one of the highest settlements in England. The village is accessible by road via the B3212 from Yelverton or Moretonhampstead, and is signposted from the A386 south of Tavistock. There is no direct rail link to Princetown, so visitors travelling by public transport will need to take a bus service from Plymouth or Yelverton, though services can be infrequent, particularly outside summer months.

Dartmoor’s weather can be highly changeable at any time of year, and the museum recommends visitors dress in layers and be prepared for rain even in warmer months. Princetown has three cafes and a public house, but there is no catering facility at the museum itself, so visitors should plan refreshments in advance. The museum is accessible to pushchairs and wheelchairs on the ground floor, though some areas on the upper floor may present difficulty. Contact the museum directly on 01822 322130 for specific accessibility queries or to arrange a group visit. Families considering visits to other heritage sites associated with UK prisons can browse our prison information pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Dartmoor Prison Museum part of the actual prison?

No. The Dartmoor Prison Museum is an independent visitor attraction housed in the former prison farm dairy, located adjacent to HMP Dartmoor but operated separately. Visitors do not enter the prison itself during a museum visit.

Is HMP Dartmoor still open?

HMP Dartmoor has been closed to inmates since late 2024 following concerns about elevated radon gas levels within the facility. The prison building itself remains standing and is undergoing investigation, but the Dartmoor Prison Museum continues to operate as a visitor attraction independently of the prison’s operational status.

What are the Dartmoor Prison Museum opening times in 2026?

In 2026 the museum is open Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 9:30am to 4:30pm, and Friday and Sunday from 9:30am to 4:00pm. The museum was closed on Good Friday 3 April and Saturday 4 April 2026 for the Easter bank holiday.

How much does it cost to visit the Dartmoor Prison Museum?

Admission for adults is £5.00. Children under 16 and those over 65 pay £4.00. Children under 5 are free. A family ticket for two adults and up to three children costs £15.00, and group rates of £4.00 per person apply to groups of ten or more.

What can you see at the Dartmoor Prison Museum?

Visitors can see exhibits covering over 200 years of prison history, including Napoleonic prisoner artefacts, intricate bone carvings, the Black Museum of confiscated weapons and escape items, reconstructed cells from different eras, and displays on the 1815 Dartmoor Massacre and the prison’s use during the First World War.