About
Built in 1829 to designs by Joseph Hansom — who also invented the Hansom cab — Beaumaris Gaol is one of the best-preserved Victorian prisons in Britain, its original treadwheel, dark punishment cells, condemned cell, and execution room still intact inside the pale limestone walls on Bunkers Hill, a short walk from the castle. The guided and self-guided tours move through the prison's genuine history: the records of inmates transported to Australia for petty theft, the life of Richard Rowlands who became the last man publicly hanged in North Wales in 1862, and the working conditions of the prison officers in an era when reform and brutality coexisted in the same building. Open April to October; the same ticket covers Beaumaris Courthouse next door, which still has its original 1614 fittings and dock, making the combined visit one of the most distinctive half-days in North Wales.
Suitable for
Accessibility
Getting there & parking
Frequently asked questions
Is it suitable for young children?
The gaol is suitable for children aged around 8 and above — some exhibits relating to punishment and execution are graphic enough that parents should use their judgement. The treadwheel and cell reconstructions are fascinating for curious older children.
What is the treadwheel?
The original Victorian treadwheel — a large wheel prisoners walked inside to drive a pump or grind grain — is one of very few still in existence in Britain. It is the centrepiece of the gaol and provides an immediate sense of the punitive labour regime of the period.
Is Beaumaris Courthouse included?
Yes — the same ticket covers both Beaumaris Gaol and the adjacent Courthouse, which dates from 1614 and retains its original dock, jury box, and magistrates' bench. Both are managed together.
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