Beaumaris Gaol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beaumaris Gaol |
|
|---|---|
| Native name Welsh: Carchar Biwmares |
|
A section of the jail from inside the courtyard
|
|
| Type | Prison, now museum |
| Location | Beaumaris, Anglesey, Wales |
| Built | 1829 |
| Architect | Joseph Hansom, Edward Welch |
| Architectural style(s) | Neoclassical |
| Governing body | Privately owned |
|
Listed Building – Grade I
|
|
| Official name: Beaumaris Gaol | |
| Designated | 23 September 1950 |
| Reference no. | 5579 |
|
Listed Building – Grade I
|
|
| Official name: Perimeter Wall at Beaumaris Gaol | |
| Designated | 23 September 1950 |
| Reference no. | 5580 |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
Beaumaris Gaol (pronounced "Bew-mar-is Jail") is an old prison in Beaumaris, Anglesey, Wales. It's not used as a prison anymore. Instead, it's a museum where about 30,000 people visit each year. It looks much like it did when it was first built.
Contents
The Story of Beaumaris Gaol
How the Prison Was Built
The Beaumaris Gaol was designed by two architects, Joseph Hansom and Edward Welch. It was built in 1829. Later, in 1867, it was made bigger to hold about 30 prisoners. However, it closed just 11 years later.
What Happened After It Closed?
After closing as a prison, the building became a police station until the 1950s. Then, it was used as a children's clinic. Finally, in 1974, it opened as the museum we see today. During the Second World War, the town's air raid siren was kept at the gaol. It even stayed ready during the Cold War in case of nuclear attacks. The prison's chapel isn't the original one. Its benches and pulpit came from another chapel on the island.
Life Inside the Prison
Life in the prison might seem very strict to us now. But back then, it was actually seen as a better way to treat prisoners compared to older jails. Still, prisoners were kept in line with chains, whippings, and being put in a dark cell alone for up to three days.
The gaol has one of the last working penal treadmills in Britain. This treadmill was special because it pumped water to the top of the building. This water was then used in the cells. So, prisoners weren't just working for no reason; their hard work helped the prison.
The Only Escape
Only one prisoner ever escaped from Beaumaris Gaol. His name was John Morris. He got away on January 7, 1859. He used a rope he had taken while working with it. He broke his leg during his escape but managed to get out of town. However, he was caught again later.
Special Building Status
Beaumaris Gaol is a very important historical building. It is a Grade I listed building. Its outer walls also have their own separate Grade I listing. This means they are protected because of their special history and architecture.
