Hexham Old Gaol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hexham Old Gaol |
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| Northumberland, England, UK | |
Hexham Old Gaol
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 Hexham Old Gaol
Location in Northumberland
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| Coordinates | 54°58′16″N 2°06′00″W / 54.971°N 2.100°W |
The Hexham Old Gaol is a super old building in Hexham, a town in Northumberland, England. It's known for being the oldest building in England that was built just to be a prison.
Contents
Hexham Old Gaol: A Look Inside
A Very Old Building
The Hexham Old Gaol was built a long, long time ago, between 1330 and 1333. It was ordered by William Melton, who was the Archbishop of York. An Archbishop is a very important leader in the church.
Who Built It and Why?
This old building was used to hold people from the Hexham area. In the 1500s, it also held people from a nearby border region called the Middle March. These people stayed there before their trials. A trial is when a court decides if someone has broken a rule or law. The trials happened in the Moothall Court Room, which was close by.
What's Inside Today?
Today, the Hexham Old Gaol is not a prison anymore! It's a really cool museum. You can explore many different things there.
Exploring the Collections
The museum has lots of interesting collections. You can see old weapons and armour from the 1400s and 1500s. There are also many items that show the history of the local area.
The museum also has a special library called the Border Library. It holds books, recordings, and music. These items are all about the culture of the Borders region.
