ONE of Britain’s oldest and most eerie landmarks has been saved from the brink of closure.
Thanks to a last-minute deal, Shepton Mallet Prison is set to remain open as a top tourist attraction.
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The 400-year-old Somerset prison was facing the grim prospect of being converted into luxury flats.
But now, its future is secured, with new owners Cove Group swooping in to preserve its history and keep the gates open to the public.
The prison has housed some of the country’s most notorious criminals—including the infamous Kray twins.
Cove Group, which has been managing the prison since 2017, struck a deal with the Ministry of Justice to buy the site after months of nail-biting negotiations.
CEO Joel Campbell said: “This marks the biggest step forward in our ten-year relationship with Shepton Mallet Prison.
“From our initial bid to buy it from the MoJ to the recent threat of closure, our dedication has never wavered.”
Previous owners, City & Country, had been eyeing a controversial redevelopment plan that would have turned the prison into luxury flats and townhouses, along with a café and ‘community heritage spaces.’
The news sparked outrage among locals and history buffs alike, leading to a massive backlash.
But Cove Group’s acquisition has put those plans on ice.
Instead, the group plans to invest heavily in the site, preserving its eerie charm and historical significance for future generations.
Campbell added: “This acquisition is not just about preserving history; it’s about celebrating and revitalising it.
“We are overjoyed to embark on this journey of transformation, ensuring that Shepton Mallet Prison remains a beacon of heritage tourism for generations to come.”
The prison, which has become a must-visit for fans of dark tourism, offers guided tours, escape rooms, and even ghost hunting experiences.
But with years of limited investment, the site is in desperate need of TLC.
First on the agenda will be reheating the building, which has been ice-cold since the heating was switched off in 2014.
Attractions manager Charlie Lawson says the team is eager to get started on restoring the prison to its former glory.
Lawson said: “We need to be able to maintain it and keep it at the standard that it should be.
“It’s such a unique landmark for Somerset, and for the whole of the UK—it’s a magnificent building to walk around and learn about the architecture and the people that lived here.”
The prison’s near miss with closure is just the latest in a string of close calls for historic and iconic sites across the UK.
Many such sites have faced closure due to the tough economic climate, rising operational costs, and the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some, like Shepton Mallet, have been saved, while others haven’t been so lucky.
But for now, Shepton Mallet Prison is here to stay—an ancient fortress of British history, with a future as dark and intriguing as its past.
A night at Shepton Mallet’s haunted Prison
Daring reporter Nicola Agius braved a visit to Shepton Mallet and heard haunting voices
The infamous Shepton Mallet Prison in Somerset lived up to its spine-chilling reputation during a recent ghost hunt that left even seasoned investigators trembling. This 400-year-old prison, once home to the notorious Kray twins, is steeped in dark history and eerie legends, making it a magnet for paranormal activity.
Leading the investigation was Tony Ferguson, known in paranormal circles as “The Ghost Whisperer,” who has encountered more spirits than anyone else in Britain. But nothing could have prepared the team for what they experienced that night. As they ventured through the prison’s shadowy corridors, a chilling voice clearly shouted, “GET OUT!” – a command that was captured on their recording devices, sending shivers down the spine of everyone present.
The night was filled with unexplained phenomena. A shadowy figure appeared at the far end of a corridor, leaving the team frozen in fear. Lights flickered on and off by themselves, and loud bangs echoed through the deserted halls. At one point, the team unknowingly dashed into the old execution shed, where countless prisoners met their end. The sheer terror was palpable as the reality of the prison’s gruesome past sunk in.
But the night didn’t end there. In the eerie silence of A Wing, where prisoners once starved in squalid conditions, the team encountered yet another unsettling event. A face appeared in the reflection of a grimy cell window, only to vanish when they turned to look. Moments later, a loud bang on the metal staircase and the faint sound of a woman’s voice warning them to “Get out!” was captured on camera, leaving no doubt that they had disturbed something sinister.
Shepton Mallet Prison, with its long history of housing the criminally insane and witnessing countless executions, remains one of the most haunted locations in the UK. The night’s terrifying events left the team convinced that the prison’s dark past is far from forgotten – and that its restless spirits are not ready to let go.
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