The Old Police Cells Museum

About

The museum was the brainchild of the late Brighton Councillor John Drake. His wife adopted it as her mayoral project and the museum was opened on the 4th May 2005 by the Mayor of the City of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Mrs Pat Drake. 

The Old Police Cells Museum is a historic, underground site and offers an educational and entertaining insight into the history of policing within Sussex. It provides an opportunity to visit Brighton Borough main police station for the period 1830 to 1967 and learn about the murder of Chief Constable Henry Solomon in 1844 by a prisoner. See some of the old cells with their graffiti still visible from the Mods and Rockers era, the policeman's washroom and uniform store areas, police memorabilia and many fascinating artefacts.
 

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What you'll see

Explore the Museum with an expert guide, who will provide key information, facts and anecdotes, as you explore look out for:-

• Original Cells and Graffiti – Explore the cells where prisoners were once held, complete with authentic markings from decades past.
• Rare Collections – View one of the UK’s largest collections of truncheons and tipstaffs, alongside uniforms, memorabilia and artefacts. This collection was made by Alderman Caffyn throughout his lifetime and is on permanent loan to the Museum.
• Historic Cases – Learn about famous local cases, including the IRA bombing of Brighton’s Grand Hotel in 1984.
• Interactive Experiences – Try on real police uniforms and immerse yourself in the stories told by knowledgeable guides, many of whom are retired police officers.

Guided tours last approximately 50 minutes - £6 per person

Private & Group Tour - £100 per group of 15

A 1-hour tour with a volunteer guide or staff member who will guide you around the Old Police Cells to reveal the history of the Sussex force, local crime, and the use of the old police cells, as well as the wider Town Hall.

Private and group tours can be arranged outside of our normal guided tour hours, but usually on Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons only

Education Tour

The tour supports areas of the curriculum and provides an opportunity for pupils to learn about the history of the old police cells and the development of policing. 

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Opening Times

Old Police Cells Museum is opening May 2026.

Check the website for details: Old Police Cells Museum Brighton

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Accessibility

The Old Police Cells Museum is committed to providing the best possible access to all visitors, guides dogs are welcome.

The museum is situated in the basement of Brighton Town Hall, with the men’s cells a five metre walk from the stairs and up a further three stairs, and the women’s cells a six metre walk and up three stairs. For those who can’t navigate stairs, there is a lift that takes visitors down to a corridor that adjoins the men’s cells within two metres, with one step up at the doorway. The doorway is large enough to fit some wheelchairs through, but unfortunately not all larger mechanised wheelchairs can fit through it. Toilets are available for Disabled Visitors

The museum uses text panels, text labels, films, audio interviews and guided tours to provide information about the collection. For deaf visitors, there are written materials, as well as subtitling on all films.

Venue details