Shepton Mallet Prison is a World Class tourism experience that inspires people, educating, engaging and immersing visitors through a journey behind bars.
Our mission is to preserve, protect and promote the history and heritage of Shepton Mallet Prison, by shining a light on prison life from the Jacobean era to the modern day. Visitors are given a unique and immersive prison experience combined with first class customer service.
Shepton Mallet Prison was built in 1625 and closed in 2013, making it the countries oldest prison. with over 400 years of history behind its high walls, Shepton Mallet Prison is a must-see heritage site.
The Cell Escape Room is a fully immersive, state-of-the-art escape room experience, where you get to do the time without committing the crime! Experience the pulse racing, mind-manipulating, adrenaline-charged rush of ‘The Cell Escape Room.’ Includes, Self-Guided Tour of Shepton Mallet Prison
THE STORY
Sentenced to 15 years for stealing £1million, you have hidden the money from the rest of your gang. Now you’re stuck in a prison cell with no way out! The inmates know what you have done, and they all want the money for themselves. Your only chance is to escape while the prisoners are on lockdown. With only 1 hour left until the lockdown ends, you must be fast and work out how to escape your cell.
Sea Kayak Torbay offers expertly guided tandem sea kayak tours within the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, creating immersive experiences for all ages and abilities. Paddle through sea caves, explore hidden coves, spot local wildlife including seals, and discover the coastline’s ancient geology with our passionate guides
Tours include opportunities for wild swimming, foraging, fossil hunting, beach fires and toasted marshmallows on secluded beaches. Feel free to bring a picnic and swimwear
Our stable tandem touring kayaks with supportive backrests are ideal for beginners, families and mixed abilities, with full training provided before launch. Reduced family tickets are available
Solo paddlers are welcome with a surcharge & should have previous sea kayaking experience including capsize recovery
We provide up to 3 guides per tour to ensure a safe, supportive & memorable experience
For families, solo paddlers or odd-numbered groups, please call Sea Kayak Torbay on 01803 912963
Come and see the stunning coastline of Torbay and The English Riviera.
From coves, caves and natural limestone arches through to isolated rocky islands and secluded beaches. It's simply stunning.
We will visit areas where we hope to see seals basking in the sunshine, lots of different sea birds and of course we will seek our resident pod of dolphins.
This fun trip will get you out in the fresh air and seeing things from a different perspective on the water - come and create some smiles and memories with us !!
✨ What Makes This Experience Unique
Enjoy up to 2.5 hours in our light-filled coastal studio, where creativity meets calm.
This is a fully hosted painting experience — not a drop-in craft table. With professional paints, quality materials and attentive guidance throughout, you’ll design and hand-paint your chosen wooden or ceramic piece at your own pace.
Your £10 reservation includes the full studio session, artisan cake, a drink, and use of all materials. Your selected item is chosen and paid for separately on arrival.
✔ 2.5-hour hosted studio experience
✔ Artisan cake and drink included
✔ Professional paints and quality materials
✔ Friendly expert guidance throughout
✔ Choose and pay for your wooden or ceramic piece on arrival
✔ Take your finished artwork home the same day
A relaxed, beautifully run creative escape by the sea.
Walk in the footsteps of prisoners who have been residents of the wings during the last 400 years. Discover what happens behind the high walls and locked doors. Experience the hidden world of capital punishment and see first-hand where executions took place.
Shepton Mallet Prison conducts guided tours run by ex-prison officers who once managed these prisons. Our two-hour tours give you the opportunity to view our historic buildings and learn more about their history dating back to 1610.
Once kitted up in lifejackets and having had a safety brief we will depart Torquay Marina and head along the coast stopping at secluded bays, rock islands and stunning coves. Be prepared for the moving bits to be done with astonishing acceleration but then settle into some witty commentary from the crew onboard as they showcase the very best bits of Torbay for you to see.
We will also keep a look at for wildlife along the way.
Raptor seats 12 people and we are on the water for 30 minutes.
Its an experience you will never forget.
Embark on a spine-tingling journey through the haunted streets of Ilfracombe, where history meets mystery and the spirits of the past come to life. Join us for an unforgettable evening of ghostly encounters and chilling tales as we explore the dark side of this historic coastal town.
Keep your eyes peeled for supernatural phenomena as we delve into the ghostly legends and folklore of Ilfracombe. Will you catch a glimpse of the Lady who sits in the George & Dragon Pub or hear the echoes of phantom footsteps in the old streets?
Suitable for all ages, our ghost tour offers thrills and chills for the whole family. Whether you're a seasoned ghost hunter or a curious newcomer, everyone is welcome to join us for a night of spooky fun and adventure.
Kayaking is one of our most popular activities — and once you’ve explored the stunning waters of Porlock Bay, you’ll see exactly why. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have paddled before, this experience is a fantastic way to build skills, have fun, and discover Exmoor from a whole new perspective.
Paddle along the rugged Exmoor coastline and immerse yourself in this wild and beautiful environment. As you glide across the water, keep an eye out for porpoises surfacing nearby, sun fish in the clear water, and a wide variety of seabirds overhead. With a bit of luck, you might even spot the majestic white-tailed eagle, one of the most exciting wildlife encounters on the coast.
Led by our experienced and fully qualified instructors, this guided adventure combines essential kayaking skills with exploration and discovery. You’ll learn the fundamentals of paddling through relaxed coaching, fun games, and confidence-building challenges, all while taking in breathtaking scenery along the Exmoor coastline.
Expect a memorable journey, great company, and an unforgettable way to experience the coast from the water.
The Hole Escape Room is a fully immersive, state-of-the-art escape room experience, where you get to do the time without committing the crime! An adrenaline filled puzzle-based game set in a dark prison cell, known as The Hole. It’s guaranteed to test your wits as you work together to outsmart The Hole and escape, making your way to freedom.
THE STORY
You’re serving time behind bars, but have become tired of your sentence, you are clever, quick-witted and a notorious escape specialist. You have gained a reputation amongst Prison Officers for being difficult to detain, committing numerous escape attempts from your prison cell.
Now the Governor has had enough. The transfer papers have been signed and you’re heading to the darkness; you’re heading to The Hole.
The Hole is a specially designed prison cell, steel reinforced walls, electronic doors, and pitch black, The Hole is deemed inescapable. Once locked inside, escape is no longer an option.
This walking tour has received over six hundred 5 star reviews and is recognised as one of the best activities on The English Riviera!
Trip Advisor has awarded this tour the Badge of Excellence and their Traveller's Choice award.
And in 2024 Visit Devon awarded this tour a Gold for International Tourism
Graham, the Tour Guide, has hosted Agatha Christie walking tours for 8 years and is the only full time Agatha Christie guide o The English Riviera.
Even if you've never read an Agatha Christie novel, watched a film, or seen her plays, it doesn't matter!
Guests will be enthralled to listen to her idyllic early years in Torquay; hear how she created Poirot and Miss Marple; discover how she met her two husbands; her outstanding contribution in both World Wars;
how she bounced back from personal and professional challenges to become the world's most successful author; and how her legacy continues to be celebrated throughout the world.
This is the longest boat trip we do.
We will leave Torquay Marina and head out into the bay. Dependant on the weather we will either turn left or right but with way we will hug the coast. Along our route we will explore coves, caves and rock islands as we admire the geology of the UNESCO Geopark and look out for wildlife.
We hope to see seals, dolphins + porpoise as well as an array of sea birds including our Guillemot colony (March - August).
We will take in the whole bay and weather dependant extend further down the coast enhancing our changes of spotting more wildlife.
Wildlife is not guaranteed but we will do our very best to find them !!
We will also have some fun at speed and a few donuts !!
This is truly a great way to get out on the water. Our experienced guides have lots of local information and are so passionate about our local area and wildlife. So book with us today and create some special memories.
Journey through Ilfracombe’s fascinating history on this immersive 45-minute self-guided walking tour. Starting at the High Street, you’ll journey through the town’s oldest areas, hear spine-tingling ghost stories, and delve into tales of wreckers, smugglers, and Victorian holidaymakers. Wander through Fore Street, where your final stop is the George & Dragon, a pub dating back to the 1300s. Along the way, you’ll see a variety of architectural styles spanning from the 1200s to the present, including Georgian, Regency, and Victorian buildings. Learn about the people who once occupied these historic structures, some of whom still haunt them. Along the way, learn about Titanic survivor Alice Francis Louisa Philips, Victorian policing, and myths surrounding local murders. From the Queens Hotel to Fore Street’s historic charm, this tour offers a deeper appreciation of Ilfracombe’s rich past, unique stories, and architectural heritage.
Discover eight beautifully designed formal gardens –including two outstanding Rose Gardens, the famous Hot and Cool Gardens and a nostalgic potager garden, typical of Devon country gardens. Explore the lake and streamside and enjoy the seasonal interest of rhododendrons, cornus and liquidambar alongside the lush growth and planting schemes. Admire the heritage orchard, and fruit and vegetable garden displaying a wide array of produce grown using
traditional and modern techniques. Travel the world in a day by exploring the two arboretums, the Japanese inspired Stone Garden and the Mediterranean Garden.
Experience the SkyTrail High Ropes Course in North Devon. Tackle 24 challenges 10 meters up in the air. Suitable for ages 5 and up, with all safety equipment provided.