Bodmin Jail

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Bodmin Jail
Bodmin Jail from Cardell Road.JPG
Bodmin Jail as seen from Cardell Road
Bodmin Jail is located in Cornwall
Bodmin Jail
Location in Cornwall
Alternative namesBodmin Gaol
General information
Typeprison
Town or cityBodmin
CountryEngland
Opened1779
Closed1927
Design and construction
ArchitectSir John Call
Website
http://www.bodminjail.org/
1779 oil painting of Sir John Call with Bodmin Jail in the background, artist unknown
The restored portion of Bodmin Jail (the building in the middle contains a pub and exhibition)

Bodmin Jail (alternatively Bodmin Gaol) is a historic former prison situated in Bodmin, on the edge of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. Built in 1779 and closed in 1927, a large range of buildings fell into ruin, but parts of the prison have been turned into a tourist attraction, and more recently another large part was converted into a hotel.

History[]

Bodmin Gaol was designed by Sir John Call and built in 1779 by prisoners of war, and was operational for 150 years, in which it saw over 50 public hangings. It was the first British prison to hold prisoners in individual cells.[1]

The jail closed in 1927. Since that date, there has been no prison within the county of Cornwall.[2]

During World War I, the prison was used for holding some of Britain's national treasures including the Domesday Book and the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

Today[]

Bodmin Jail is now a hotel as of 2021 and after redevelopment that started in 2015, Bodmin Jail Limited now operates as a museum, gift shop and hosts guided tours at the site.[3]

Ghosts[]

Bodmin Jail has inspired many ghost stories, attracted paranormal researchers, and ghost walk events are held for tourists there.

Series 6, Episode 1 of Most Haunted, a British-made reality TV show, saw the crew attempt their paranormal activities at the jail with presenter Yvette Fielding and medium, Derek Acorah. After many unsuccessful attempts, the team supposedly made contact with many light and sound entities, whilst Acorah claimed to have been possessed by a spirit named Kreed Kafer, a South African. It was later revealed that "Kreed Kafer" was a fictional character, who was created purely by parapsychologist and crew member Ciarán O'Keeffe, to test Derek Acorah and his abilities.[4] The name was created because it was an anagram of the phrase 'Derek Faker'.[5]

Notable former inmates[]

The naval prison

References[]

  1. ^ D. L. Prior, ‘Call, Sir John, first baronet (1732–1801)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 accessed 18 Sept 2008
  2. ^ "Plans for new faith-based prison". BBC Online. BBC. 9 November 2009. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  3. ^ "Bodmin Jail redevelopment information and news".
  4. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 23 February 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ Spooky Truth: TV's Most Haunted Con Exposed - Mirror.Co.Uk

External links[]

Coordinates: 50°28′29″N 4°43′41″W / 50.47472°N 4.72806°W / 50.47472; -4.72806

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