Stories

Hertfordshire Lock Ups, Cages and Prisons

In Summer 2021, we learned of the existence of a map of Hertfordshire lock-ups, cages and prisons. It’s creator, David Short, kindly offered to share it with us, along with the chapter that accompanied it, written by Philip Plumb, and…

Securing a fitting legacy for Holloway Prison

The recently closed Holloway Prison in Islington, London, has a fascinating history and so needs a fitting legacy. Built between 1849 and 1852 to replace the old house of Correction in Giltspur Street, Smithfield, the new Holloway City Prison had 306…

Will the real Eastby Jail please stand up?

If you are a resident of Eastby, near Skipton, North Yorkshire, or if you have been lucky enough to visit, you might know that it once had a small gaol, or lock-up. You might have heard that it was located…

Bristol’s Prisons Unlocked

As a major English port town, Bristol has had more than its fair share of prisons. By the early 19th century, there were at least three separate sites at which those accused of crime awaited trial, and those who had…

The Tolhouse Great Yarmouth: Prison, Police, Paranormal

To mark 60 years since the re-opening of the Tolhouse Museum in Great Yarmouth, Diane Marks, from Norfolk Museums Service, has agreed to tell us about the history of this fascinating building. Previous posts have looked at the transformation of…

Penal History at the Tolhouse Great Yarmouth

To mark 60 years since the re-opening of the Tolhouse Museum in Great Yarmouth, Diane Marks, from Norfolk Museums Service, has agreed to tell us about the history of this fascinating building. In her last post, Diane explained how a…

Huddersfield Prisons and Lock-ups

David Griffiths, of the Huddersfield Local History Society, provides a valuable insight on local discussions and negotiations to establish places of confinement in 19th century Huddersfield The manorial/parochial constable traditionally had responsibility for the town prison, which was not a…

The Tolhouse Gaol Great Yarmouth

Originally built in the 1100s, the Tolhouse in Great Yarmouth served as a prison for the borough for approximately 700 years! Diane Marks, from Norfolk Museums Service tells us why 2020 marks an important milestone for the Museum. This year…

The Bridewells of Hitchin

A History of Local Imprisonment, by Simon Walker The first recorded bridewell in Hitchin lay at the lower end of Tylers (Tilehouse) Street, next to the workhouse, between the junctions of Sun Street and Bucklesbury, and on the south side…

Playing Cards Created by Prisoners at Wymondham Bridewell

Neil Haverson, one of the curators at Wymondham Heritage Museum, tells us the fascinating story of the creation of set of playing cards from the pages of the New Testament by female prisoners confined in the Wymondham County Bridewell. On…