We’d planned this break with one clear intention: ditch the kids and do something a little different. The weather had other ideas. Rain lashed Cornwall, the sky stayed stubbornly grey, which turned out to be perfect for what we had planned, adding to the atmosphere of our stay at Bodmin Jail Hotel!

Driving into the prison courtyard was enough to send a shiver down my spine. The vast stone building loomed ahead of us, heavy with history. I had instant goosebumps. Stepping inside, the feeling only intensified. The entrance hall quite literally stopped me in my tracks. Rising above us were rows upon rows of original cells, stacked high and stretching into the shadows. It was epic, unlike any hotel lobby I’d ever seen.

Our room – or rather, our cell – was a world away from the damp, uncomfortable spaces you might imagine. There are no poky rooms or hard beds here. We were greeted by a sumptuous bed, original bars still framing the windows, and hands down the nicest bathroom I’ve seen in a long time. I immediately ran a bath, and while it filled, I read about James, an inmate who had once lived in this very cell.

After emerging thoroughly relaxed, we wandered down to dinner before hearing about an evening tour we could join. I get spooked easily, but there was no way I was missing the chance to learn more about the jail’s haunted past!

We were led down into the basement, where the stories took a chilling turn. We heard about prisoners who had lost their lives within these walls and the ghosts that supposedly still linger.

The tour ended with time to explore the lower levels using paranormal activity kits. Did we see any ghosts? No. But we did find ourselves in an empty room with a chain slowly swinging on its own. Gil swears he hadn’t touched it!

Next door is the Bodmin Jail Museum, well worth a visit. Beyond the jail, the wild beauty of Bodmin Moor stretches out, and in season, you can also catch the Bodmin & Wenford Railway steam train.

When we checked out the next morning, the receptionist smiled and said, “You are free to go.”

Honestly, it’s a sentence I’d have happily carried on serving. It was a fantastic, adventurous weekend away – atmospheric, relaxing, and just the right side of eerie. And I was very pleased to report that we didn’t get any unexpected visitors in the night!

Disclaimer: Our visit to Bodmin Jail Hotel was a complimentary PR visit, but all content is shared with honesty.