What’s On at Bodmin Jail This February Half Term

Bodmin Jail is opening its doors this February Half Term with a programme of exhibitions, tours and family activities, all running until the end of the month.

At the centre of it all is the return of the Broken Hearts Gallery, described as bigger, darker and more heartbreakingly beautiful than ever before.

Love of the Unloved Comes to Bodmin Jail

During Half Term, visitors can meet a range of misunderstood creatures as part of Love of the Unloved, hosted by Zoolabs.

Snakes, spiders, giant snails, millipedes and more will be at the jail on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1pm to 4pm. Zoolabs’ expert team will also be giving talks at 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm on each of those days.

To take part, visitors are advised to book a self guided ticket from 12.30pm to avoid missing the limited exhibition.

Broken Hearts Guided Tour

For those wanting to explore the stories in more depth, the Broken Hearts Guided Tour offers a deeper look at Georgian and Victorian crimes of love from across the country.

Led by expert guides, the tour examines tales of forbidden romance, obsessive devotion and tragic heartbreak, and how love, jealousy and desperation shaped lives inside the jail walls.

The Story at the Heart of the Gallery

Central to the exhibition is one of Cornwall’s most talked about and controversial love stories, involving Charlotte Dymond and Matthew Weeks.

The gallery explores what happened on the moors and asks visitors to consider whether Matthew was guilty or the victim of a tragic miscarriage of justice. Bodmin Jail has partnered with Shire Hall and Bodmin Town Council to present the evidence and information surrounding the murder, leaving visitors to make up their own minds.

Family Activities During Self Guided Visits

Families visiting the jail can also take part in the Love of the Unloved activity trail. Designed for younger visitors, the trail encourages children to follow clues, solve puzzles and uncover forgotten stories of love and loss throughout the prison.

Children who complete the trail can collect a prize from the Bodmin Jail gift shop at the end of their visit.

Booking and Limited Edition Collectable

All experiences are available for a limited time during February Half Term. Full details and booking information can be found on the Bodmin Jail website.

Visitors can also take home a limited edition Heartbound Ghost collectable, available online and in the jail gift shops while stocks last. The collectable can be purchased via the Bodmin Jail online shop.