More Than Just Chocolate

More Than Just Chocolate: How Shepton Mallet Prison Is Changing Lives, One Visitor at a Time

Shepton Mallet Prison has stood for over 400 years, a place of stories, struggle, and history etched into every stone. But today, it’s something more. Under the care of the incredible team at Cove Attractions, this former prison has become a space of joy, learning, and unexpected moments of transformation. At the heart of everything we do is people.

Whether it’s through our immersive education programmes or seasonal campaigns like our Easter events, the goal is the same: to connect, inspire, and create lasting memories. We believe in the power of this historic space to do more than tell stories of the past, we use it to shape powerful experiences for today’s visitors. And it’s working… Just ask Simon.

Easter Holidays at Shepton Mallet Prison | Meet the Easter Bunny

A Smile That Changed Everything

Simon and his family made the trip from Portsmouth to visit Shepton Mallet Prison for their sixth time to take part in the Easter Egg Hunt! What they didn’t expect was a moment that would stay with them forever.

Simon’s 9-year-old son, like many children, has always been frightened of costumed characters. But on this visit, something shifted. Thanks to the gentle, respectful approach of our Easter Bunny, something remarkable happened. Simon’s son not only interacted with the Easter Bunny, but also gave a high five, smiled and played peek-a-boo, even posed for a photo, something he’d never done before.

“For the first time in 9 years,” Simon wrote, “my son interacted with a character with a smile on his face… Your member of staff really did something special for my family. Not only did he give a high five, but he also took a picture, and even went to the extent of playing peek-a-boo… I wanted to make sure you are aware and pass our credit onto the easter bunny who never broke character and ensure they get the credit they deserve.”

That kind of moment doesn’t happen by chance. It happens because of people who care deeply. It happens because the team at Shepton Mallet Prison go above and beyond, every day, to make our spaces feel welcoming, inclusive, and alive with possibility.

And we can now reveal it was our very own Georgina in the bunny suit, a trained actor with a BA in Acting, and a familiar face on the stage. Georgina is a brilliant performer, and we’re incredibly proud and fortunate to have her as part of our Shepton Mallet Prison team.

Top-rated Guided Tours at Shepton Mallet Prison

Bringing a 400-Year-Old Prison to Life

From our education programmes and Guided Tours to festive trails and creative activities, every single experience we create is designed with people at the centre. Our Easter campaign is no exception.

The Egg-Cell-ent Easter Hunt invited children to explore the prison, collect hidden letters, crack the anagram, and earn a chocolaty reward. There were bunny masks to decorate, colouring sheets to dive into, and of course, the cheeky Easter Bunny to meet (and maybe high-five). And with 10% off in the café for completed worksheets, families were able to enjoy a well-earned break after their adventures.

But it’s never just about the eggs. It’s about the memories.

We’re proud that Shepton Mallet Prison is more than just a visitor attraction. It’s a place where history meets humanity, where the past helps shape brighter, more connected moments in the present.

Credit DC Thomson (Kath Flannery) | Joel Campbell

A message from our CEO

‘’To our team – thank you. To our visitors – we’re so glad you’re part of this of this journey. And to Georgina – you made magic, and I couldn’t be prouder for what you achieved here, for yourself, for Simon’s family, and for everyone at Cove Attractions. Georgina you’re awesome, thank you.’’ Says Joel Campbell, CEO.