Shepton Mallet Prison: Escape Room & Historic Cell Challenge

Summary

Locked inside Shepton Mallet’s cell walls racing time and laughter

You’ll step inside Shepton Mallet Prison for The Cell escape room challenge, racing against 60 minutes on the clock as you search for clues in a real prison cell. With entry included for a self-guided tour before or after your game, you’ll get both adrenaline and history in one visit — plus maybe a few laughs if your friends panic under pressure.

What’s the experience like?

We shuffled through the heavy doors of Shepton Mallet Prison, the kind that clang behind you with a sound you feel in your ribs. Our guide — Dave, ex-prison officer apparently — handed us over to the “games master” with this half-smile like he already knew we’d mess up. He pointed at our cell and said, “You’ve got an hour. Don’t lose the key.” I laughed but honestly? My palms were already sweaty. There’s something about being locked in a real cell that gets under your skin — cold stone, the echo of footsteps down the corridor, even though it’s just a game.

The Cell escape room isn’t just puzzles stuck on a wall; you actually have to hunt for clues in places where prisoners hid things for real. At one point I was crouched by a rusty bedframe, trying to read numbers scratched into metal while my friend tried (and failed) to pick up some Cockney slang from an audio clue. We argued over which lock to try next — there’s always one person who thinks they’re a genius until they get stumped by a padlock. The games master checked in over the intercom once or twice, teasing us about being “halfway to freedom.” It was tense but weirdly funny too.

After we finally escaped (with six minutes left — not that I’m bragging), we wandered through the rest of Shepton Mallet Prison on our own. You can do the self-guided tour before or after; we chose after because we needed to catch our breath and laugh about how useless we’d been at teamwork. Walking those empty halls, reading old graffiti on cell walls, it hit me how much history is packed into this place — some cells still smelled faintly damp and metallic, like time never really leaves here. I didn’t expect to feel anything but relief after getting out of The Cell, but there’s something about standing in those corridors that sticks with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Escape room and prison tour

• Explore Shepton Mallet Prison
• Enter The Cell Escape Room
• Attempt to escape within 60 minutes

Top questions

How long does The Cell escape room take?

The main escape room challenge lasts 60 minutes.

Is entry to Shepton Mallet Prison included?

Yes, your ticket includes entry for a self-guided tour of the historic prison.

Can I bring service animals?

Yes, service animals are allowed at Shepton Mallet Prison.

Is there public transportation nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to the prison.

Do I need to be physically fit for The Cell escape room?

The experience is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Who runs The Cell escape room?

A dedicated games master oversees your session and helps if needed.

What’s included

Your ticket covers all fees and taxes, full access to The Cell escape room with support from a games master throughout your challenge, plus entry for a self-guided wander through Shepton Mallet Prison’s historic corridors before or after your game.