forced to close after just 6 years

Award-winning

UK attraction

Shepton Mallet Prison dates back 400 years, with the first prisoners entering in 1625, and the last in 2013.

Famous ex-prisoners included the Kray Twins.

It was even used to film the David Tennant TV drama Des.

It then opened as a tourist attraction in 2017, with tours and overnight stays in what was dubbed the "most haunted jail".

It was awarded the Trip Advisor Traveller’s Choice Award in 2020, and was ranked in the top 10 per cent of attractions worldwide on the site.

However, the prison is going to close to the public from January 2, 2024 due to a "breakdown with the owners".

People have been left gutted by the news with locals fearing it will affect tourism.