Jail House Cafe in North Dorset

The cafe definitely feels like it’s in an institution - it has a feel of a church/hospital/AgeConcern cafe. It’s in a multi-functional building that houses the prison’s learning centre, on the second floor. It was originally opened to serve prison staff and visitors, but is also open to the general public 10-3 (kitchen closes at 2). It’s simple food - jackets, baguettes etc and is fine. We were served by two very hard working ladies - no sign of any inmates and no “HMP” stencil anymore on the cappuccino (as was shown in someone’s post). You could forget you were in a prison, the few reminders being bags, mugs, aprons etc with the Jailhouse logo on. It’s a great cause (rehabilitating prisoners) and worth supporting if in the area and in need of a simple lunch.

We attempted to visit about a year before lockdown but it was staff holiday time. We were buying water butts from a business nearby. The cafe was quiet, the woman in charge was friendly, patient with our indecisiveness, and helpful. We had all day breakfasts and left "absolutely stuffed". Food was hot, well presented and clearly cooked to order. Although we were there up until closing time we did not feel hurried. We'll almost certainly go again. Have already been recommending this cafe to friends.

Was amazing. The food was delicious and Kevin are waiter was just so lovely and kind. He was so helpful and told us all about the charity. We can’t wait to come back!

Out for a motorcycle ride today and 3 of us called into the Jailhouse Cafe for a late breakfast. Staff are very friendly and helpful, lovely clean cafe, food very tasty, cooked perfectly and reasonably priced. Will certainly call in again and thanks for a very enjoyable breakfast visit.

Friendly service, ample parking. Comfy seating area, relaxed atmosphere. Will return again. I liked the merchandise too.

The restaurant is just outside Guys Marsh prison and the food is prepared by serving prisoners. The food is very good, the cafe is very clean with a nice ambience as the customers are a mix of people who work in the prison and people just visiting the cafe. Giving prisoners the ability to do positive things and contribute to society is such a positive role model and should be repeated Nationally where ever practical. These men have learned new skills and are applying them in a useful and very public manner for which they deserve support and praise. Please visit if you are in the area to enjoy a nice lunch or snack

food, service in fact everything - we had been thinking about visiting here for sometime so today we did and didn't regret it at all - we both had the all day breakfast which was wonderful, my husband had black pudding with his and he said it was the best black pudding he has had for ages - the staff were lovely polite and helpful (finding out where the black pudding came from!!) We would have had a pudding but I hadn't enough cash on me (no cards) but that will give another excuse to go back which we will soon

The Jailhouse cafe rocked! A great idea, A great cup of rosie and a great bacon baguette what more could you want in the morning. The staff and inmates are all very friendly - a great place :)

Visited on Saturday 06 May as a group of bikers on a ride out from Yeovil and we ended up at the cafe for a late breakfast. I opted for a bacon and egg bap and it was delicious, packed with bacon topped with a perfectly poached egg and cost just 3 quid!! The views outside the cafe are spectacular and well worth taking photographs of.

Excellent food and service from prisoners and staff. Can't recommend it highly enough. There's a stairlift for less able visitors and a wheelchair, a highchair and changing facilities for babies, and comfortable chairs for everyone in between!

Do visit this cafe - it is great! beautiful area of the countryside on your way and very good food and cafe.

This was a very clean and well-laid out restaurant that was bright and cheerful. A very friendly and relaxing atmosphere. Pleasant service and a menu to suit all tastes.

My uncle suggested we tried this for a gathering of the clans. I travelled down with my parents, an aunt and my nephew from Salisbury, meeting 2 uncles and another aunt. We had a fabulous welcome, nothing too much trouble. 3 of them used the recently installed stair lift, which was brilliant. The food was superb and we were waited on by, I think, his name was Trevor. brilliant. Will definitely be back.

The Jail House Café has recently been refurbished and now looks cheerful and welcoming. During our recent visit the staff were friendly and helpful and we enjoyed a delicious snack lunch at a very reasonable price. Bring your friends, it's well worth the effort.

On Tuesday, 11 of our members visited the Jailhouse Cafe. We were greeted by our two favourite trustee prisoners, Trevor and Terry. They remembered us from our previous visit ,last month. we had : scampi and chips, ham plough mans, vegetarian cauliflower cheese, tuna mayo baked potato, and an all day breakfast. All were presented most attractively and in plenteous quantity. Then, desserts, sticky toffee pud, Apple pies and various ice creams. All superb. Please visit this is wonderful choice at a really good price,

La cárcel Cafe es exactamente lo que dice, un café, abierto al público, al lado de una prisión, dirigido por los prisioneros. Tiene un buen ambiente, creado por la amabilidad de los camareros. La comida es buena (que tenía la - especial un generoso y sabroso estofado de carne con verduras encantadores -6 libras) y el resto del grupo lo llena patatas o paninis recién horneadas. Todo era delicioso, y todos estábamos de acuerdo en que volvería. La cafetería del hotel está por encima del centro de aprendizaje en Marsh prisión del chico, la decoración es cantina-como y que está un poco lejos del centro de la ciudad. Pero la bienvenida en el día que fuimos no era tan bueno como la comida. En el momento en el que sólo está abierta 10 - 3 pm, de lunes a viernes.

The idea of giving trusted prisoners who are about to be released, an opportunity to re-integrate into the community as an excellent idea.The cafe is now open 5 days a week., serving a good selection of hot and cold dishes. The food is cooked and served by the chosen prisoners, who are very courteous and friendly.Four of us had 2 course lunches with drinks ( not alcoholic) for less than £40. Very good value for money. This endeavour needs to be more widely advertised. You have to know about it, in order to visit.

Great lunch menu with plenty of variety. Delicious food and lovely coffee. Staff efficient and very friendly. Well done, guys- we're going to make it a regular lunch date!

Visited for the first time today with friends, didn't know what to expect, service was great, very friendly helpful staff, nice simple menu with huge portions, well cooked and presented, nice relaxed atmosphere, great price, will definitely be going again, well done lads

This friendly little café is now open Monday - Friday lunch-times 12 noon 'til 2pm (soon to be 'til 3pm). It's charity run to help to reduce reoffending by prisoners about to leave Guys Marsh Prison. We saw the 'open' sign today and decided to pop in and take a look. The 'staff' were very welcoming, friendly and quite happy to talk about the café and it's reasoning. The coffee was good, the cakes looked good too. We were too late to eat lunch, however the staff were having theirs and it looked and smelt good. Very clean and warm. The prices are extremely reasonable. Although a little out of the way it's well worth the visit. Unfortunately it is up two flights of stairs. We will be back to eat lunch soon.

Not the most salubrious surroundings but the idea rest behind this place is good. Getting inmates to work and re integrate in the community. This place is worth a visit especially by people in shaftesbury as it shows them that guys Marsh is a well run place.The cakes are fabulous and tea coffee and light meals are avaliable. Located just south of the town.

This is a café in Guy's Marsh prison, run by prisoners ready to re-integrate into the community. The food is cooked and served by the prisoners and, although simple, is superb. It is drinks, snacks and simple lunches but is top notch and excellent value for money. The atmosphere is somewhat lacking - more along the lines of a canteen - but there are flowers/plants on every table, it is clean and welcoming. Only open 3 days a week to start but this will increase. If you are in the area give it a try - well worth it.