STARTING from this afternoon (Monday) Bodmin Jail will be taking an alternative approach to the Valentine’s Day month of February – by breaking people’s hearts, but fortunately not their necks, with a brand new ‘Broken Hearts’ tour.

A spokesperson said: “The award-winning Heritage Guides will entice you with a Danse Macabre through historical tales of the love-lorn and crimes of the heart.

“This dark romantic romp will whisk you into the Georgian and Victorian world of marital poisonings, betrayed lovers, murderous couples and heart-rendering hangings. We’d like to say that they all lived happily-ever-after, but the course of true love never ran that smoothly.”

The new seasonal ‘Broken Hearts’ guided tour runs at 2pm every day from today (Monday, February 7) to Sunday, February 27, and lasts 2 hours.

Among other historical happenings, this seasonal tour will be addressing the ultimate Cornish whodunnit, the murder of Charlotte Dymond in 1844. Thousands came to see Matthew Weeks hanged for the crime, a culmination of thwarted love, jealousy and finger pointing.

The Bodmin Jail spokesperson said: “Evidence implies he didn’t do it but make your own mind up - join us this February for the ‘Broken Hearts’ tour and step into the dark side of love.”

As well as crimes of passion over history, the tour will look at legislation which changed women’s rights and entitlement to property, and also laws affecting gay rights.

Alison Warren, General Manager explains; “This alternative Valentine’s tour offers our guests an extra special experience this February. Steeped in history, the ‘Broken Hearts’ tour has something for everyone, and we are looking forward to welcoming visitors to Cornwall, families and locals alike to enjoy a tour that will raise ghosts of Valentines past.”

For further details see https://www.bodminjail.org/whats-on/guided-tours/broken-hearts/