Bodmin Jail, Cornwall

Appeared in Series/Episodes: Series 1

• Jim Carter imprisonment storyline

• Court and prison scenes

Episode Synopsis

In early episodes of Poldark, Jim Carter’s imprisonment delivers one of the series’ most emotional arcs. Scenes representing harsh 18th-century justice were filmed at Bodmin Jail.

Location

Bodmin Jail, Berrycoombe Road, Bodmin PL31 2NR
Travel time from Chyvounder: Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes

Few Poldark scenes are as emotionally charged as those involving Jim Carter’s imprisonment.

The stark stone walls and claustrophobic cells used to portray these moments were filmed at Bodmin Jail, one of Cornwall’s most atmospheric historic sites.

Built in 1779, Bodmin Jail’s granite construction and narrow corridors provide genuine 18th-century authenticity. Unlike coastal locations, this setting represents Cornwall’s harsher realities — law, punishment and inequality.

Walking through the jail today, you can:

• Explore restored prison wings

• Learn about Georgian justice

• Experience immersive exhibitions

• See original stone cell blocks

The thick granite walls and echoing corridors feel heavy with history. It’s easy to imagine the desperation portrayed in the series.

While darker in tone than Cornwall’s beaches and cliffs, Bodmin Jail adds important context to the world of Poldark — showing the human cost of poverty and injustice.

Pair your visit with a Bodmin Moor exploration before returning to your peaceful West Cornwall base.