The best family days out in London and beyond rated by kids and teens
Average K-Rating based
on 25 K-Rating reviews
The Clink Prison Museum stands on the site of one of the oldest and most notorious Medieval prisons. The original prison dates back to 1144 and served as a prison until the Eighteenth Century. Throughout its history, it incarcerated many interesting criminals. During your tour of the museum, you can learn more about these people.
Situated by the river in Southwark, you will also get the chance to learn about the history of the area. As it was outside the parameters of the City all kinds of naughty things went on, such as theatre, and other morally questionable activities. For those who enjoy learning about scandalous history, this is the place for you.
The museum is very interactive and you will get the chance to handle archaeological artefacts and even torture devices!
Some say the moniker, ‘The Clink’, came from the sound of the blacksmith closing the irons on prisoners’ wrists. Now if that wasn’t spooky enough, this Southwark relic is famous for paranormal activity. Nightly vigils are held allowing visitors to make contact with the long-gone residents, using ouija boards and glass divination. You can even team up with the UK’s biggest ghost hunting company to search for spooks; just don’t forget to prove you braved the hunt with a free downloadable photo.
It may sound like a whole load of fun but don’t be fooled – it’s very educational too. If your child is learning about the Medieval or Tudor periods in history at school, this museum is a great place to spark their interest.
I didn’t really know what I was in for going to the Clink but I was really impressed in the end. I love history and a good spooky story so it was an amazing combination of the two. I got to see real artefacts from the prison (which were definitely quite freaky). I’d say as a teenager, if you’re a fan of Buzzfeed Unsolved and Netflix crime docs then this is a great place to visit for that kind of vibe. Super dark history!
Really brilliant spot for slightly older kids. They love a bit of spooky history, can also take a short walk over to Shakespears Globe to finish off the day.