Clink Prison Museum Overview
Things To Do at Clink Prison Museum
Clink Prison Museum welcomes several educational groups every year and offers them guided tours explaining the historical, social and religious issues of the Clink. The students visiting the museum will have the opportunity to handle original artefacts relating to crime and punishment and take part in audio and visual presentations. The highly-trained guide will give an introduction about the site and also verbal presentations and further explanations to the students for an interactive learning experience. The museum gives a wonderful portrayal of crime and punishment through the Medieval, Tudor and Elizabethan time periods for easy understanding. Clink Prison Museum also arranges self-guided tours for student groups.
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Clink Prison Museum is one of England’s oldest prisons that is also believed to be one among the UK’s most haunted locations. Thanks to the museum’s ghostly sightings and paranormal activity, Haunted Happenings, which is the UK's biggest ghost hunting company, hosts ghost hunting experiences for the public. During the ghost hunt, you can participate in vigils and seances and experience the opportunity of investigating this haunted site with Ouija Boards, Glass Divination, table tipping and other methods. There have been reports of glasses being randomly smashed, a woman playing with chains, and doors closed during ghost hunts at the Clink Prison Museum.
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History Of Clink Prison Museum
- The history of Clink Prison Museum dates back to the 12th century when Henry of Blois was invested Bishop of Winchester and became second in power to the king.
- His Thames-fronted residence was completed in 1144 and was built with two prisons in the palace underground. Thus Bankside was subjected to the laws of ‘ The Liberty of the Bishop of Winchester’ and was governed accordingly.
- The prison got its name ‘The Clink’ in the 14th century based on the sound of the hammer closing the irons around the wrists of prisoners or the Flemish word ‘Klink’ meaning latch.
- The Clink housed significant criminals like Sir Thomas Wyatt The Younger who rebelled against Queen ‘Bloody’ Mary 1 and John Rogers who translated the Bible into English from Latin.
- Several attempts were made to destroy The Clink, such as during the Peasants Revolt in 1381 and Jack Cade’s rebellion in 1450. It endured till 1780, when Lord George Gordon assembled The Protestant Association and broke into The Clink, released all the prisoners and burnt the building.
- Today, the remains of the prison are preserved within the Clink Prison Museum including an original wall.
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Know Before You Visit Clink Prison Museum
Location
Address: 1 Clink St, London SE1 9DG, UK
The Clink Prison Museum is located on Clink Street, close to the original site, at Bankside in Southwark.
Timing: Sunday to Saturday - 10 AM to 6 PM
The Clink Prison Museum is open on all days of the week from 10 AM to 6 PM with the last entry at 5:30 PM. The museum is closed only on Christmas Day.
How To Reach
- By tube: Board a train on the Jubilee and Northern Lines and get down at London Bridge tube station from where the Clink Prison Museum is just 4 minutes away. Alternatively, you can also alight at Monument Station and walk to the museum in 5 minutes.
- By train: London Bridge Rail station is the nearest train stop to Clink Prison Museum and runs a train every 4 minutes.
- By river transport: MBNA Thames Clippers operates services to Bankside Pier which is only 10 minutes away from the museum.
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Tips To Visit Clink Prison Museum
FAQs
Why is the Clink Prison Museum famous?
The Clink Prison Museum is famous for being one of the oldest and most notorious prisons in England. It offers a glimpse into the grim conditions and brutal treatment of prisoners during the mediaeval period, thus unveiling dark secrets and riveting stories of the past. The museum is also renowned for its ghostly sightings and paranormal activity.
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Is the Clink Prison Museum haunted?
The Clink prison Museum is believed to be one of the UK’s most haunted sites. There have been claims and stories about paranormal activity and hauntings associated with the Clink Prison Museum. Some visitors and staff members have reported experiencing strange occurrences or sensing a presence within the museum.
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What is the best time to visit the Clink Prison Museum?
The best time to visit the Clink Prison Museum is during the morning hours or early afternoon when the place is less crowded. It is also advisable to plan your visit on weekdays as the museum flocks with heavy tourist crowds on weekends.
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Can we book Clink Prison Museum online?
Yes, you can book the Clink Prison Museum tickets online in advance via the museum website or tour operators. To book the tickets online, select your preferred date, time slot and number of tickets. You need to print the e-ticket and bring it with you when you arrive at the museum to exchange it for the entry ticket.
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What to do while visiting the Clink Prison Museum?
- Walk into the authentic prison cells of Clink Prison Museum that once housed the prisoners and look for hidden symbols etched on the walls.
- Explore the exhibits, interact with the displays and witness the mediaeval torture devices like menacing thumbscrews.
- Go on guided tours and engage with the knowledgeable museum staff to know additional insights, fascinating stories and hidden facts about the museum.
- Discover the secret tunnels of the prison that were connected to other parts of London and encounter the profiles of criminals who once resided in the Clink.
- Visit the museum’s gift shop to browse through books, pamphlets or brochures and buy intriguing souvenirs.
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