Where Heritage Meets Hospitality: Breakfast with Cells at The Old Prison

There are few places in the Cotswolds where you can enjoy your morning coffee under the watchful gaze of centuries-old cell doors – but that’s exactly what awaits you at The Old Prison in Northleach. Once a formidable House of Correction, this striking Georgian building has been thoughtfully reimagined as a unique destination where heritage and hospitality go hand in hand.

A Breakfast Setting Like No Other

Step inside The Old Prison Café and you’ll immediately feel the wight of history – thick Cotswold stone walls, iron-barred doors, and original prison fittings remain in place, preserving the buildings architectural integrity. While you can’t dine in the cells themselves due to their Grade II listed status and preservation requirements, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast just steps away, surrounded by evocative reminders of the sites past list.

It's this contrast – the warmth of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon rolls set against the austere backdrop of 19^th-century incarceration – that makes breakfast at The Old Prison truly memorable.

A Menu Inspired by Local Produce

Whether you’re fuelling up for a day of walking in the Cotswolds or looking for a slower start, the Café menu celebrates seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Expect comforting favourites like:

·      Buttery sourdough toast with farm-fresh eggs

·      Crispy smoked bacon and sausages from nearby butchers

·      Fresh pastries baked daily

·      Barista coffee from local suppliers

You’re not just eating breakfast – you’re taking part in a layered local story.

A Space Steeped in Stories

Dating back in 192, the prison was originally designed by reformer Sir George Onesiphorus Paul as a model institution – an early attempt to bring dignity, order, and even rehabilitation into penal practice. Today, its restored features – including the magistrates’ court, cell doors, and historic exercise yard – offer an immersive backdrop to your visit.

Interpretive panels throughout the building bring the past to life, whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or setting in with a second cappuccino.

Ideal for Families, Explorers & History Buffs

The Old Prison is more than just a café – it’s a gentle step back in time. With open cells to explore, interactive displays, and the change to walk through the very spaces that once house inmates, it’s an ideal stop for:

·      Families looking for a fun and education outing, with Child friendly activities to educate on History

·      Visitors exploring the Cotswolds who want something off the beaten track

·      Locals in search of a coffee spot with real character

·      History lovers drawn to authentic stories and preserved architecture

Preserving the Past, Embracing the Present

While guests are kindly asked not eat inside the original cells to protect their fragile interiors, the layout of the café ensures that their historic presence is always felt. Every detail – from that thick stonework to the antique fittings – has been preserved with care, and the café has been designed to honour, not overwrite, the buildings legacy.

Breakfast at The Old Prison is more than a meal – it’s an experience.

Where else can you sip flat whites and eat bacon butties in the shadow of Georgian penal reform? It’s a rare blend of heritage and hospitality that leaves a lasting impression.

So next time you’re passing through Northleach, come and take a seat beside the cells, not inside them – history is best served with a hot drink and a warm welcome.