London’s prisons are woven into its cultural fabric. HMP Holloway closed in 2016, but its site in north London is now being redeveloped into flats. That’s very London—turning a women’s prison into luxury apartments. Oscar Wilde wrote De Profundis from Reading Gaol (not London, but close), while Johnny Depp reportedly stayed at the Savoy after a legal spat. The juxtaposition says everything about this city: champagne and chains, side by side.
Pop culture loves a London lockup. Sherlock filmed at HMP Wandsworth’s execution shed. The Crown used HMP Pentonville for scenes of Prince Philip’s possible infidelity? Not really—but you get the vibe. Even Sherlock Holmes himself was sent to “the Model Prison” in a story, which was based on Pentonville.
Practical Tips for the Curious Londoner
Want to get closer without breaking the law? Prison museums are your friend. The Clink Prison Museum on Bankside is a medieval lockup that’s now a charmingly grim tourist attraction. Book a tour of the Old Operating Theatre next door for a double dose of Victorian misery. For a modern view, walk the perimeter of HMP Wandsworth—the graffiti on the wall outside is surprisingly good, and locals sell snacks to visitors.
If you’re writing a novel or planning a film, remember this: London’s prisons are not evenly spread. South London has more than north, thanks to its historic industrial zones. And don’t confuse the City of London Police station with a prison—that’s just a holding cell for bankers who’ve had a bad afternoon.
Prison Statistics Uk 2026
