To view this item's National Grid Reference Number you need to be a subscriber. You can become a subscriber by visiting this page

Or login here if you are already a subscriber.

8 (0%) of Registered Dartefacters have visited this item. They are: Fr66, Amanda Ellis, bobfitzy62, Neil Handley, Fidget, Torbagga, Dartmoor Paul, SteveGrigg

Hopefully no one ends up here!

Dartmoor Prison was originally constructed in the early 1800s and completed by 1809 when it opened for French Napoleonic prisoners. The prison’s establishment effectively saw the birth of Princetown because, despite what you might think, Princetown is a relatively young village. At the time buildings were built for the prisoners and they largely inhabited the village.

Prisoners of war also built Princetown Church which is the only church in England to have been built this way. Behind the prison and set on private land (access only by prior consent) are French and American War Graves. If you are interested in the prison’s history, a visit to the Dartmoor Prison Museum cannot be recommended enough.

Today Dartmoor Prison is a Category C prison with roughly 650 men inside.

Reference:

• Sandles, T. (undated): Legendary Dartmoor, Gazetteer.

The map below is set to a maximum zoom of 1:50k. To zoom into the map further (1:25k) you need to be a subscriber. You can become a subscriber by visiting this page.

Or login here if you are already a subscriber.