Shepton Mallet Prison named among Britain's eeriest places

By Laura Linham 30th Sep 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 1 hour ago

Shepton Mallet Prison has earned itself another rather unsettling accolade after being picked as one of Britain's eeriest places to visit.

The historic jail features in travel writer Peter Naldrett's new book, Spooky Britain: The 100 Most Eerie and Mysterious Places to Visit, which is released on Thursday, 24 September.

The book explores 100 destinations across Britain associated with ghost stories, supernatural folklore and unexplained mysteries — and Shepton's formidable former prison has made the cut.

Naldrett describes the prison as one of the country's most chilling destinations, highlighting stories surrounding the so-called White Lady and C Wing among its long-standing legends.

He said: "Only the bravest will take a tour here, it's the most haunted prison in the world. Many grisly events have taken place in this penitentiary, the most haunting place in which is C place.

"If you really do have nerves of steel, maybe you have what it takes to sleep over here in their special events."

Claims that the prison is haunted are part of the folklore surrounding the site rather than established fact, but ghost stories have become firmly entwined with its long history.

The White Lady is perhaps the best known, with tales of the mysterious figure becoming one of the prison's most enduring legends.

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Shepton Mallet Prison has centuries of rather more tangible history behind its walls too, having operated as a jail for hundreds of years before finally closing.

It has since reopened as a visitor attraction, with tours and events allowing people to explore the cells, wings and other parts of the former prison.

The Shepton landmark is one of three Somerset locations selected by Naldrett for his new book.

Glastonbury Tor also features, with the author exploring its links to myths, legends and the execution of Richard Whiting, the last Abbot of Glastonbury, following the dissolution of the monasteries.

Gough's Cave at Cheddar Gorge completes Somerset's trio, with its archaeological history and evidence of prehistoric cannibalism providing rather more than a ghost story for visitors to contemplate.

Spooky Britain is published by Conway and is available to buy now.