Many people visit Dartmoor for its rolling hills and abundance of nature seemingly untouched by mankind. However, this is only one side of Dartmoor. If you want to experience the true ruggedness of Dartmoor in your visit to our places to stay in Chagford, one of the best ways is to learn how people have used and adapted to it over hundreds of years.
One of the most striking landmarks of human progress seen anywhere on Dartmoor is the prison. Located right in the heart of the National Park, it’s an imposing landmark that provides a unique perspective on how we view and use Dartmoor’s expansive lands.
When and How Was Dartmoor Prison Built?
Dartmoor Prison was first opened in 1809, making it one of the United Kingdom’s oldest prisons technically still in use (although it is temporarily closed for an extended period).
The prison was hastily built during the early stages of the Napoleonic Wars, a Europe-wide conflict with France. French prisoners of war were being kept in terrible conditions in Plymouth Dock on Devon’s south coast, and with numbers rising, a permanent location in Dartmoor was suggested.
Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, the founder of Princetown (where the prison is located) and a close friend of the Prince of Wales, who owned the land, played a significant role in getting the facility built. He laid the first foundation stone, while much of the stone used was mined from Herne Hole quarry, which he also owned.
One reason why Dartmoor prison has remained in use is that it was built from the very beginning to be incredibly difficult to escape from. The towering walls that dominate the landscape to this day are a particularly daunting feat, and that’s before you consider the many miles of moorland surrounding the facility.
Dartmoor’s Prisoners of War
Such was the demand for space for prisoners of war that within a year of Dartmoor Prison opening, it was already at full capacity. Overcrowding was a common feature of early life in HMP Dartmoor – while it was an improvement on the conditions experienced around the docks, it was still a terrible, disease-ridden experience.
Overcrowding because worse following the United Kingdom’s conflict with the newly independent United States of America in 1812, near the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Between 1813 and 1815, thousands of American sailors were kept in Dartmoor Prison alongside French prisoners, with thousands dying of illnesses.
Both conflicts with France and America ended in 1815, and by 1816, all Dartmoor’s prisoners had been repatriated. Dartmoor prison closed afterwards, but in a common theme of the facility’s history, demand for prison space saw it reopen its doors.
Image Credit: Dartmoor Prison by roger geach, CC BY-SA 2.0
Why Dartmoor Was One of the UK’s Most Notorious Prisons
Dartmoor Prison was reopened to house regular criminals in 1850, many of them being particularly dangerous people from other parts of the country where there was limited space. Some prisoners were also sent to Dartmoor because it was believed the fresh air would be beneficial to them.
Many changes to the prison, such as the construction of new buildings and cells, were completed with convict labour. Despite some improvements, it maintained a reputation for having quite terrible conditions.
A combination of the prison’s striking location and some prominent prisoners, such as Eamonn de Valera, first Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland, and Frank Mitchell, friend of the notorious Kray twins criminal gang whose escape caused national headlines, meant that Dartmoor prison became one of the country’s most famous.
Dartmoor Prison Today
Dartmoor Prison has been in use by the Government since its reopening in 1850, except for brief moments such as during World War I, when the facility became a labour camp for conscientious objectors.
Conditions have largely improved around Dartmoor Prison over the decades. In the modern era, it is a Category C prison, meaning it houses non-violent offenders such as white-collar criminals.
However, given the prison’s age, there are still some significant issues. The prison was criticised for overcrowding as recently as 2023, while the facility itself is currently closed due to high levels of radon gas in the prison, which is being investigated.
Despite this, Dartmoor Prison remains an important landmark in this area of the National Park. It is the inspiration for the annual Dartmoor Prison Break, an endurance race where participants start at the prison and try to get as far away as possible within 24 hours. It has also inspired countless stories over the years, featuring in everything from Sherlock Holmes to EastEnders.
Image Credit: The old dairy yard, Dartmoor Prison by Neil Theasby, CC BY-SA 2.0
Dartmoor Prison: Visitor FAQs
Dartmoor Prison is a fascinating place to visit, providing a fresh perspective on the openness and freedom that many associate with the National Park. If you’re interested in visiting, here are some pointers.
Is Dartmoor Prison Still Open?
The prison itself is not currently open due to investigations into high radon levels. However, the prison museum is housed in a separate building across the road (once part of the wider prison complex) and remains open, while it’s still possible to admire the existing prison from the outside.
Are There Tours of HMP Dartmoor?
Because the prison is currently closed, there are no tours available through the facility itself. However, you can get a feel for what it used to be like through the museum, which is located in an old building that was once part of the prison complex.
Visiting Dartmoor Prison Museum
Dartmoor Prison Museum has a wealth of information about life in the prison over the ages, including dozens of displays and countless artefacts collected from prisoners and workers over its history.
The museum is open seven days a week (although it does occasionally close during quiet winter periods) and adult tickets cost just £5, making this a very affordable place to visit during your adventures around Dartmoor.
If you’re looking to explore more of our region’s history, check out our guide to Dartmoor’s iconic myths and legends.
Header Image Credit: Gateway to Dartmoor Prison by Eirian Evans, CC BY-SA 2.0