Berwick Gaol Museum

About the museum

Berwick Town Hall stands on the site of the town's medieval tollbooth, which was used as a council house, court and prison. After the old tollbooth collapsed in 1749, the freemen of the town planned a new building with a strong gaol. The present Town Hall was designed by Samuel and John Worrall in the neo-classical style and built by the local builder Joseph Dodds between 1754 and 1761, and its spire is one of the landmarks of the town.

The building has had many uses over the centuries, including as a court room, jail, meeting place for the town's freemen, charter market, council chambers and police station. The second floor holds the former jail cells. They now house a small museum with a mixed collection of items from the history of Berwick, ranging from a sword of the Viking era to gifts from the five twin towns of Berwick around the world.

The upper floors can only be seen on a guided tour led by the Town Hall Keeper, which also covers the historic council rooms.

Highlights

• Former town gaol with its cells on the second floor
• Collection of local objects, including a Viking-era sword
• Gifts from the twin towns of Berwick
• Georgian Grade I listed Town Hall with a 153 ft spire
• Visits only on guided tours

Permanent exhibition

• Town Hall gaol and museum – The former cells on the second floor hold objects from Berwick's history, from a Viking-era sword to gifts from the town's twin towns.

Operated by

Berwick-upon-Tweed Corporation (Freemen) Trustees

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The tour uses the first and second floors, which have no lift. The side entrance has two steps up to a ground-floor lobby, then 22 steps to the first floor and 29 steps to the second floor, mostly with a single handrail. A stair-climber operated by the Town Hall Keeper takes visitors to both floors (weight limit 20 stone), and a second stair-climber for wheelchair users who cannot transfer reaches the first floor only. A buzzer to the right of the side entrance alerts the Keeper. A portable hearing loop is available. There is no storage for mobility scooters or prams.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The Town Hall is in the town centre. Visitors on the guided tour use the side entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café

A separately run café is on the ground floor of the Town Hall.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 150 guests.

The Guild Hall (seats up to 150) and the Ante Room on the first floor can be hired for meetings, events and ceremonies.

Plan your visit