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Shrewsbury Prison Guided Tour

Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Birmingham, England
Popular pick
Booked 5+ times last week!
  • 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Follow in the footsteps of ex-convicts during a tour of Shrewsbury Prison, home to over 200 years worth of history. You’ll explore the former jail with a prison office who once managed the wings, for the inside scoop on what used to occur within the walls. You’ll hear tales about capital punishment and see the spots on which executions took place.
  • Get a unique glimpse into Shrewsbury Prison on a tour with an ex-prison officer
  • Discover tales of crime and capital punishment you're unlikely to hear elsewhere
  • Choose a morning or afternoon start time that suits you
  • Delve into the building's 200-year history

What's Included

  • Guide
  • Entry ticket to Shrewsbury Prison

    Meeting and Pickup

    Meeting point

    • Shrewsbury Prison
      The Dana, Shrewsbury SY1 2HP, UK

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    Itinerary

    1

    Shrewsbury Prison

    Admission Ticket Included

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Stroller accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    • Most travelers can participate
    • We are dog friendly
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 32 travelers

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

    Traveler Photos

    Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

    Reviews

    4.9
    based on 2,698 reviews
    Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

    Charlie's Angels

    Jackie_H, Mar 2026
    Had a fantastic time and Sarah the guide was amazing at telling us the history, very interesting visit, considering the overnight stay, Sharon on front desk was brilliant with helping us choose our photo's, lovely all round experience.

    Response from Host, Mar 2026

    Thank you Jackie for your terrific review! We can confirm that Sarah is very passionate, and is always more than happy to answer any questions you may have. We will be sure to pass along your feedback to both Sarah and Sharon as they ought to be proud. In the future, why not check out our Ghost Tour next?

    Guided tour

    IAN_R, Nov 2025
    Don't do the self guided tour,pay a little extra,and go with a tour guide,we'll worth it,vert interesting and informative

    Shrewsbury Prison Guided Tour

    Gary_W, Nov 2025
    Alex our Tour guide was very informative knowledgeable and entertaining. Would highly recommend a visit.

    Our guide was amazing! He...

    Sarah_G, Jun 2025
    Our guide was amazing! He was very informative. He used me for a demonstration in the pillory which made my day! I can't remember his name but we were there June 29th at the 2:30pm tour. Would definitely recommend!

    Such a good experience. Would recommend to anyone!

    Olivia_A, Jun 2025
    Loved the experience. The guide Graham was very knowledgeable but also made learning about the prison and history enjoyable for both adults and children. I felt the tour was the right amount of time, with education and also given own time to look around the areas of the prison. The staff, in general were polite , friendly and ready to help. Overall experience was brilliant. Thank you to everyone who worked there. Would be inclined to get a ghost tour next! :D

    Recommend having a guided...

    Terri_Y, Jan 2025
    Recommend having a guided tour. Michael gave a real insight into prison life drawing on his own experience as a prison guard. It really is cold, wear 2 pairs of socks! The cafe serves good portions of food at a reasonable price. All staff were friendly and helpful. Would definitely visit again!

    Great value

    Jon_D, Dec 2024
    Excellent time, guided tour was great our tour guide Dan was very knowledgeable and made made it fun and interesting.

    Great place to visit ! Very interesting!

    Samantha_S, Dec 2024
    We really enjoyed this trip. Andy brought the prison to life with his great knowledge and stories from the past! Very, very interesting and Andy had a good sense of humour. Certainly recommend tour guide. Also value for money. Andy took care whilst imparting information, especially the horrors behind hanging and what’s involved. Thank you.

    Great trip round the prison.

    James_M, Oct 2024
    Our tour guide Dan, was very informative and gave us the history of the prison. Definitely would recommend taking the guided tour.

    Excellent 2 hour tour.

    Julie_P, Oct 2024
    Excellent guided tour provided by Dan who was very knowledgeable and made the tour enjoyable with his wit and stories. Would highly recommend

    Well worth paying extra for a guide led tour.

    Ian_D, Oct 2024
    Our guide Michael, told about his personal experiences from his time working as a Prison Officer; which added his very personal insight into what was a very good tour.

    Banged up Guv

    Nigel_L, Oct 2024
    Fantastic guide, really knowledgeable and approachable. The insider look at the inside is fascinating and eye opening. The story of how the prison and prison system has changed over the years is educational and informative.

    Don’t hesitate, book your tour asap.

    Paul_P, Sep 2024
    This was one of the best tours my wife and I have ever taken, our guide was Donna and she was excellent and made the experience so interesting. The time flew past and we were the last to leave having read every piece of information on all the wall posters.

    Would highly recommend.

    Danielle_P, Sep 2024
    Value for money, informative but enjoyable! Would highly recommend. Graham was a great host that engaged with the audience.

    Don’t miss this tour !

    Kath_M, Sep 2024
    Michael was an excellent tour guide … fascinating amusing stories …. I came away with a much better understanding of the prison service past & present … all in all a great way to spend 11/2 hrs All staff very pleasant & helpful ….

    Entertaining and interesting tour.

    Carol_M, Aug 2024
    The guided tour given by Mike, an x prison officer with 30 years l experience was incredibly interesting & inciteful. It gave us a history of this prison & the prison system &prison life, as we toured the different areas of the prison. In his talk, Michael explained things really clearly & used many anecdotes & his love of the job was evident in his enthusiastic presentation. We’d highly recommend this guided tour. It was most enjoyable.,

    Great tour experience

    Rebecca_W, Aug 2024
    We went to Shrewsbury prison tour experience and Graham was our tour lead. He was very knowledgeable and funny. He made the experience very enjoyable and we learnt a lot. There was a mix our people on the tour and everyone seemed like they enjoyed it. Good to have a look around and learn something new! Would recommend.

    Brilliant

    Karen_E, Aug 2024
    The tour guide was very knowledgeable and kept the visit interesting. The building was kept original which gave you a good I sight to prison life

    fantastic experience

    ian_b, Aug 2024
    a great experience all over and the history of these places are daunting. it makes you realise the importance of staying on the right side of the law.

    An enjoyable trip

    Linda_G, Aug 2024
    Interesting and enjoyable. Our guide Charlotte was very knowledgeable but quite softly spoken so we could not hear everything she said

    Shrewsbury Prison tour

    Joanne_D, Aug 2024
    Absolutly brilliant ,Charlotte our prison guide was brilliant, friendly n knew her stuff,will be going back for nighttime paranormal investigations

    Great experience

    Paul_J, Aug 2024
    Really educational and well run guided visit. Me and my friend really enjoyed it. Well worth a visit !

    Great day out

    Mariusz_K, Aug 2024
    Great and original experience for the whole family with lots of activities, it also great city to visit after the prison guide.

    The tour guide was...

    Sylvia_S, Jul 2024
    The tour guide was excellent and brought to life the history of the prison and the changes made in prison life over the centuries. Very interesting. Would recommend you wear something warm because it’s cold in there!

    A very lovely Sunday afternoon

    Kate_D, Jun 2024
    Graham, our guide, was really great. He brought the prison alive with stories from history as well as his own experience of being a prison guard there. It was very enjoyable tour. Lunch in the canteen was very nice too. And I must say all of the staff were super lovely and welcoming. Thank you for a lovely Sunday afternoon x

    Really good don't miss it

    Sue_W, Jun 2024
    We had an excellent very knowledgable guide. I have already recommended the tour to others on our camp site. So interesting definately worth a visit

    Insightful

    Alan_M, Jun 2024
    great insight into how the UK prison system is and used to be. Knowledgeable staff and great canteen.

    Excellent Tour

    Stephen_H, Jun 2024
    Our tour guide, Graham, was brilliant. He was knowledgeable, informative and enthusiastic. Great tour.

    Would recommend

    Vikki_H, Jun 2024
    A really good tour through the prison and Graham the tour guide was really informative throughout. The tour was completed at a good pace with time to look around. The only advise I would have is that the execution room has a warning before continuing, my mum found this upsetting and had to leave.

    A very interesting tour

    Angela_S, Jun 2024
    We four enjoyed our tour of Shrewsbury prison very much. Graham our guide was witty, well informed and interesting. He has had many roles within the prison service and shared his experiences with us. I would recommend this tour, but wrap up, it is rather chilly in there.

    From $34.31

    per person

    up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

    Book ahead!
    On average, this is booked 17 days in advance.

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