The Clink Prison Museum

Experience London’s darkest history at The Clink Prison Museum

Step into one of England’s most notorious prisons – where the very phrase “in the clink” was born – and get your hands on some seriously grim medieval torture devices that’ll make you grateful for modern law enforcement.

Highlights

• Touch actual medieval torture devices like the skull’s bridle and experience what life was really like for prisoners in London’s oldest prison
• Stand inside a recreated prison cell and hear the haunting sounds of chains clanking and prisoners pleading for mercy
• See the last remaining original wall from 1780 and imagine the Gordon Riots that finally destroyed this 600-year-old prison

Tickets & Prices

Entry to The Clink Prison Museum is simple and affordable, with general admission priced at £8.00 for adults. Children under 16 and concession visitors—including students, seniors, and those with disabilities (ID required)—pay a reduced rate of £6.00. For families, a group ticket covering two adults and two children is available for £23.00, offering excellent value.

For the best experience, consider pre-booking your tickets online to avoid waiting in queues, especially during peak tourist season. The museum welcomes walk-in visitors, but during school holidays and weekends, you might find yourself waiting longer than expected.

Tours

The museum offers both self-guided exploration and educational group tours. For independent visitors, you can explore at your own pace, taking time to interact with the exhibits and read the detailed information panels.

School groups and larger parties can arrange specialized educational tours that delve deeper into the prison’s history, with programs tailored for different age groups from Key Stage 2 through to university level.

These guided tours include interactive elements and discussions about crime and punishment during the prison’s 600-year operation.

Opening Hours

The Clink Prison Museum opens its heavy doors daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with last entry at 5:30 PM. The only day you’ll find it closed is Christmas Day.

During peak summer months, the museum can get particularly busy in the early afternoon, so I’d recommend arriving either right at opening or after 3 PM for a more comfortable experience.

What to See and Do

There’s something uniquely unnerving about stepping into a place that’s seen over 600 years of human misery, and The Clink Prison Museum doesn’t shy away from its dark past.

Handle Real Medieval Torture Devices

What sets this museum apart from your typical historical attraction is how hands-on it gets. You can actually touch and handle replica torture devices, including the skull’s bridle – a metal contraption that was essentially a muzzle with spikes designed to stop prisoners from speaking.

Trust me, after trying to imagine wearing one of these things, you’ll never complain about modern inconveniences again.

The museum houses an impressive collection of punishment tools, including stocks, chains, and a particularly nasty-looking torture chair. What I find fascinating is how the guides encourage you to pick these items up and feel their weight. There’s something about holding a heavy medieval chain that really drives home just how brutal prison life was back then.

Experience the Prison Cell Recreation

The recreated prison cell is where the museum’s theatrical side comes out. Complete with wax figures of prisoners and guards, atmospheric lighting, and sound effects of clanking chains and moaning inmates, it’s admittedly a bit cheesy – but it works. You’ll hear period-appropriate sounds echoing through the space, from dripping water to distant screams.

Top tip: Stand quietly in the cell for a moment and let the sound effects really sink in. It’s surprisingly effective at transporting you back to a time when people were imprisoned here for offenses as minor as being unable to pay their debts.

Discover the Original Prison Wall

The highlight for any history buff has to be the last remaining section of the original Clink Prison wall. Dating from the late 17th to early 18th century, this weathered brick structure is all that survived the Gordon Riots of 1780 when Protestant rioters burned the prison to the ground.

Running your hand along these ancient bricks, you’re touching a piece of London that witnessed everything from religious persecution to petty criminals meeting their fate.

Uncover the Mayflower Connection

Here’s something that surprised me: The Clink played a crucial role in American history. The museum does an excellent job explaining how religious separatists imprisoned here eventually became some of the Mayflower Pilgrims. William Brewster, one of the most famous Pilgrims, was likely held in these very walls for publishing separatist religious material.

The exhibit includes a fascinating timeline showing how prisoners went from these dank cells to the deck of the Mayflower, and you can see reproductions of the controversial pamphlets that landed them here. Standing where American history essentially began is genuinely moving – it’s strange to think that the suffering in this London prison led directly to the founding of Plymouth Colony.

Join a Ghost Hunt (If You Dare)

The museum hasn’t forgotten its reputation as one of London’s most haunted spots. Regular ghost hunting events are run by Haunted Happenings, complete with vigils, séances, and even Ouija boards. Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, spending the night in a space where thousands suffered and died certainly adds an extra layer of atmosphere.

These after-dark investigations run from 8 PM to 2 AM and include proper ghost-hunting equipment like EMF meters and spirit boxes. The most active area is reportedly the torture chamber, where participants claim to hear chains dragging and disembodied voices. Book well in advance as these spine-tingling events sell out quickly.

Learn Through Interactive Displays

Throughout the museum, interactive displays let you piece together what daily life was like for prisoners. From understanding the bishop’s corrupt system (where you could literally buy your way to better treatment) to learning about the infamous “Winchester Geese” – the prostitutes who worked in the bishop’s brothels – the exhibits paint a vivid picture of medieval London’s underbelly.

The “Price of Freedom” board is particularly eye-opening, showing exactly how much prisoners paid to remove leg irons or get better food. There’s also an interactive crime and punishment wheel where you spin to discover your fate for various offenses – steal bread and you’re in the stocks, question the church and face indefinite imprisonment.

Directions

The Clink Prison Museum sits on Clink Street in London’s Bankside area, just a short walk from London Bridge Station. From the station, head west along Tooley Street, then turn left onto Montague Close. Follow the road as it curves right onto Clink Street – you’ll spot the museum on your left.

If you’re coming by tube, London Bridge is your best bet on the Northern and Jubilee lines. Bus routes 43, 141, and RV1 all stop nearby at London Bridge. The museum’s central location makes it perfect for combining with other South Bank attractions.

Nearby Places

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre: Just a 5-minute walk away, this faithful reconstruction of Shakespeare’s original playhouse offers performances and tours that bring Elizabethan theatre to life.

Borough Market: London’s oldest food market is only 7 minutes on foot, perfect for grabbing lunch after your prison visit with its incredible selection of artisanal foods and street vendors.

HMS Belfast: This World War II warship turned museum sits permanently moored on the Thames, offering nine decks of naval history just 12 minutes away.

Tower Bridge: One of London’s most iconic landmarks is a pleasant 15-minute riverside stroll from the museum, with its glass walkways offering spectacular city views.

Sky Garden: Free to enter but booking essential, this public garden atop the “Walkie Talkie” building provides panoramic views of London and is about 20 minutes away on foot.

Did You Know? (5 Interesting Facts!)

1. The phrase “in the clink” originated right here – prisoners would hear the distinctive clanking of chains and cell doors, creating the onomatopoeic name that’s still used worldwide today.
2. The Bishop of Winchester, who ran the prison, also controlled local brothels. The prostitutes who worked in them were nicknamed “Winchester Geese” – and many ended up as inmates in his very own prison.
3. During the 1780 Gordon Riots, Protestant rioters didn’t just burn down The Clink – they released all the prisoners first, creating chaos in the streets of London.
4. The prison once held separate facilities for men and women, with conditions so appalling that the Thames would regularly flood the cells during high tide, bringing disease and rats.
5. Despite being destroyed in 1780, the prison’s notoriety lived on – Charles Dickens referenced it in his works, cementing its place in literary history alongside London’s most infamous locations.

History

• 1144: The Clink Prison is established by the Bishop of Winchester, becoming one of England’s oldest prisons.
• 1500s: The prison gains notoriety for housing religious dissenters during the Reformation, including both Catholics and Protestants.
• 1556: Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger, who led a rebellion against Queen Mary I, becomes one of the prison’s most notable inmates.
• 1600s: Conditions worsen as the prison becomes overcrowded with debtors, prostitutes, and religious prisoners.
• 1620s: Several future Mayflower Pilgrims are imprisoned here for their separatist religious beliefs.
• 1780: The Gordon Riots break out in June, and Protestant rioters burn The Clink to the ground after releasing all prisoners.
• Post-1780: The prison is never rebuilt, though its name lives on in the English language.
• 1990s: Archaeological excavations uncover the prison’s remains and artifacts.
• 2000s: The Clink Prison Museum opens on the original site, preserving the last remaining wall.
• Present Day: The museum welcomes thousands of visitors annually, keeping the dark history of medieval justice alive.

FAQ

Map & Address

1 Clink Street, London SE1 9DG

The Clink Prison Museum is located in the heart of London’s Bankside area, sandwiched between the Thames Path and Borough High Street. Look for the museum’s distinctive signage on Clink Street, just off the main thoroughfare.