Recently, researchers from the University of Leeds, Birmingham City University and the University of Sunderland published a peer-reviewed paper examining the narratives presented at Shrewsbury Prison, one of the heritage attractions within the Cove Group portfolio.
The research explored how former prisons communicate stories of crime, punishment, justice and rehabilitation, whilst considering the balance between heritage, education and visitor engagement. Like all good academic research, it asked challenging questions and offered thoughtful recommendations for how interpretation within heritage attractions can continue to evolve.
We are proud that Shrewsbury Prison was selected as the focus of this research.
The publication recognises the significant educational potential that heritage prisons hold, whilst encouraging greater collaboration between heritage operators and academia to ensure these remarkable sites continue to develop as places of learning, reflection and public understanding.
A philosophy that closely aligns with our own ambitions.
Across Cove Group we are investing heavily in interpretation, education and public engagement. Whether developing new museum displays, expanding educational resources, creating immersive audio guides or establishing the Cove Charitable Trust, our objective remains the same: to make Britain’s heritage more accessible, more engaging and more meaningful for every visitor.
Historic buildings are not static. Every year new research is published, fresh perspectives emerge and our understanding of the past develops. We believe the stories we tell should evolve alongside that growing body of knowledge.
Working alongside universities and researchers creates opportunities that extend far beyond individual research projects. It encourages evidence-based interpretation, supports conservation, strengthens educational programmes and helps ensure important heritage assets continue contributing to public understanding for generations to come.
Success is not simply measured by visitor numbers.
It is measured by the conversations we inspire, the history we preserve, the education we deliver and the partnerships we build.
We would like to Professor Christiana Gregoriou (University of Leeds), Professor George S. Larke-Walsh (University of Sunderland) and Associate Professor Adam Lynes (Birmingham City University) for their research and for recognising the value of collaboration between academia and the heritage sector.
As Cove Group continues to grow its portfolio of historic buildings and visitor attractions, we look forward to developing further partnerships that help ensure Britain’s heritage continues to inform, educate and inspire.
Read the paper here
Further Reading
The research discussed in this article is available as a peer-reviewed publication:
Gregoriou, C., Larke-Walsh, G.S. & Lynes, A. (2026). On the afterlives of incarceration: An interdisciplinary examination of narrative construction at Shrewsbury Prison Museum, UK. Crime, Media, Culture.
The views expressed within the paper are those of the authors. We welcome independent academic research and believe constructive dialogue helps strengthen how heritage is interpreted and shared.