Shepton Mallet

Travel Guide

HMP Shepton Mallet, sometimes known as Cornhill, is a former prison located in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England. When it closed in 2013, it was the United Kingdom's oldest operating prison, and had been since the closure of HMP Lancaster Castle in 2011. Before closure Shepton Mallet was a category C lifer prison holding 189 prisoners. The prison building is grade II* listed, while the former gatehouse and perimeter walls are grade II. It is also reported to be the most haunted prison in England. Take a tour around this amazing establishment steeped in history, guided by a former prison officer - certainly worth a visit.
HMP Shepton Mallet, sometimes known as Cornhill, is a former prison located in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England. When it closed in 2013, it was the United Kingdom's oldest operating prison, and had been since the closure of HMP Lancaster Castle in 2011. Before closure Shepton Mallet was a category C lifer prison holding 189 prisoners. The prison building is grade II* listed, while the former gatehouse and perimeter walls are grade II. It is also reported to be the most haunted prison in England. Take a tour around this amazing establishment steeped in history, guided by a former prison officer - certainly worth a visit.
Charlton Viaduct, Shepton Mallet
Photo by John Sparshatt (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Country Side-Somerset
Photo by Kalyan Kaza (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)
Giant, mechanical spider... spitting out fire and lasers! Run for the hills. #festival #music #art #fire #laser #dance
Montigo Resorts, Somerset

Montigo Resorts, Somerset

4 out of 5
near Glastonbury Shepton Mallet England
The price is €139 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
€139
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Shepton Mallet. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (337 reviews)
Never stayed in a hotel before with so many restrictions. Unable to check-in before 3pm, or use any of the leisure facilities until then. Had to pay £50/night for my dog to accompany me when I booked the hotel specifically because it was advertised as dog-friendly. The dinner was poor quality, bread ...

Reviewed on 12 Feb 2026

Montigo Resorts, Somerset
The Thatched Cottage Inn

The Thatched Cottage Inn

3 out of 5
63-67 Charlton Rd Shepton Mallet England
Fully refundable
The price is €114 per night from 6 Mar to 7 Mar
€114
6 Mar - 7 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Shepton Mallet. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Kilver Court and Royal Bath and West Showground ...
7.8/10 Good! (73 reviews)
Room basic but clean

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

The Thatched Cottage Inn
Apex City of Bath Hotel

Apex City of Bath Hotel

4 out of 5
1 James Street West Bath England
The price is €96 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
€96
9 Mar - 10 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Bath. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,758 reviews)
The room was very clean but had a weird smell which we couldn’t place. Spa area a real treat.

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

Apex City of Bath Hotel
See all 3,739 properties in Shepton Mallet
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hiding Space - Westgate Apartments

Hiding Space - Westgate Apartments

4 out of 5
4-5 Westgate Buildings Bath England
Stay at this apartment in Bath. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping and satellite TV channels. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (347 reviews)
Great location and clean

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

Hiding Space - Westgate Apartments
Historic 6 Bed Townhouse-Roman Baths 1 min walk

Historic 6 Bed Townhouse-Roman Baths 1 min walk

Bath England
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Bath. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and tennis courts. Popular attractions Thermae Bath Spa and Sally Lunn's ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (26 reviews)
Such a fantastic property, with great communication from the host. Our stay was too short(but very sweet!) Wish we had booked for another night. Absolutely loved the history of the property. The position in town is perfect reach to everything. It suited our group of 9 perfectly. Don’t overlook this ...

Reviewed on 23 Nov 2025

Historic 6 Bed Townhouse-Roman Baths 1 min walk
WILLOW RIDGE - a large country house with 3 rental rooms

WILLOW RIDGE - a large country house with 3 rental rooms

2.5 out of 5
Featherbed Ln Bristol England
Stay at this residence in Bristol. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and slippers. Popular attractions Chew Valley and Stanton Drew Stone Circle are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (13 reviews)
perfect for my friend

Reviewed on 5 Nov 2025

WILLOW RIDGE - a large country house with 3 rental rooms
See all properties in Shepton Mallet
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Royal Bath and West Showground

4.5/5(3 reviews)

Take the family on an outing to Royal Bath and West Showground during your trip to Doulting. Discover the beautiful countryside and lively bars in this quaint area.

Royal Bath and West Showground

Kilver Court

4/5(1 review)

You can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Kilver Court during your visit to Shepton Mallet. Discover the beautiful countryside and stunning cathedral in this family-friendly area.

Kilver Court

Avalon Vineyard

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Avalon Vineyard during your travels to East Pennard. Visit the stunning cathedral and top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

Avalon Vineyard

Things to do

Shepton Mallet Prison: Ghost Tour

Shepton Mallet Prison Guided Ghost Tour

€29
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Shepton Mallet Prison Guided Ghost Tour
Shepton Mallet Prison Escape Room - The Cell

Shepton Mallet Prison Escape Room - The Cell

€32
per adult
Shepton Mallet Prison Escape Room - The Cell
Shepton Mallet Prison Escape Room - The Hole

Shepton Mallet Prison Escape Room - The Hole

€32
per adult
Shepton Mallet Prison Escape Room - The Hole
See all activities in Shepton Mallet

Reviews of Shepton Mallet

3.7
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
8
5 - Excellent 15%
4 - Good
23
4 - Good 43%
3 - Okay
18
3 - Okay 34%
2 - Disappointing
4
2 - Disappointing 8%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Very quiet and beautiful views

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A peaceful and picturesque little village. It was ideal for us.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

A nice quiet place close to Wells lovely gardens, and shopping outlet, steam train railway within easy reach of lots of locations if wanted to visit nice for short break

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great place to stop over.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Did not actually visit S Mallet itself, but the immediate surrounding area which is delightful.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Kilver Court outlet centre is definitely worth a visit.