Hexham Old Gaol

Over het museum

Hexham Old Gaol is the earliest recorded purpose-built prison in England. It was ordered in July 1330 by William Melton, Archbishop of York, who ruled over Hexhamshire and wanted a secure place for his prisoners. Fines from offences in the area went to the archbishop, so the gaol also served as a symbol of his wealth and power. It was completed in January 1333 and built with stone taken from the Roman fort at Corbridge, about three miles away.

Prisoners were held on three floors according to their status and the seriousness of their crimes. The dungeon was dirty and overcrowded and was used for the poorest and most hardened criminals, while wealthier prisoners had a more comfortable first floor. The gaoler lived on the top floor and earned money by charging prisoners fees for chains, bedding and fuel. Disease such as typhus, known as gaol-fever, spread easily. The gaol held people before trial in the nearby Moot Hall, and some prisoners waited for years.

Today the building houses a museum that explores the history of the gaol, its prisoners and what crime and punishment meant in medieval Northumberland, and it also tells stories of the Border Reivers. The museum is managed by North East Museums on behalf of Northumberland Council. A project called Old Gaol Reimagined, supported by public funders and charitable trusts, is working with the illustrator and printmaker Jonny Hannah and local communities to create new displays.

Hoogtepunten

• England's earliest recorded purpose-built prison, completed in 1333
• The dungeon viewed from the glass lift
• Stories of the Border Reivers and the Hexham Riots
• Annual pass: one ticket gives unlimited visits for 12 months
• Sound Down Sundays for quieter visits

Vaste collectie

• England's earliest purpose-built prison – Displays on the history of the gaol, its prisoners and the system of crime and punishment in medieval Northumberland.

Beheerder

North East Museums (for Northumberland Council)

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

Prices are without the optional donation; with the donation an adult pays £8 and a concession £7. A ticket is an Annual Pass that allows unlimited repeat visits for 12 months, and a day admission bought in the online shop can be converted to an Annual Pass on the next visit.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet: niet aanwezig
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

A ramp leads to the entrance, which has a glass door that opens at the press of a button, and a wheelchair-accessible glass lift serves all floors. Spiral stairs, which can be uneven, are an alternative. Exhibition panels are printed in large text, a tactile map of the Borders is available, and a hearing loop covers the Welcome Desk and all displays with audio. Ear defenders can be borrowed free of charge. A visual story and an access plan can be downloaded. There are no toilets on site: the nearest public and accessible toilets are at Wentworth car park, a three-minute walk, and the nearest Changing Places toilet is in Tesco Extra, about six minutes away. There are two Blue Badge spaces at Market Place car park. Assistance dogs and family pets are welcome.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Doe- en voelstations
• Verschoonruimte: niet aanwezig

Under-18s enter free. Mini museum activity trolleys for children aged three and up and other sensory activities are available, and seasonal family activities run in school holidays. There is no baby changing facility on site, and breastfeeding is welcome throughout the museum.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The museum is in the town centre behind the Market Place; follow the brown and white tourist signs.

Service & horeca

• Café: niet aanwezig
• Restaurant: niet aanwezig
• Museumwinkel

There is a small gift shop by the Welcome Desk and an online shop. There is no café, and no toilets or baby changing on site; places to eat are in Hexham town centre.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

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