New Gaol, Bristol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New Gaol, Bristol |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| General information | |
| Town or city | Bristol |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°26′46″N 2°35′53″W / 51.4462°N 2.5980°W |
| Completed | 1832 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Richard Shackleton Pope |
The New Gaol (also known as The Old City Gaol) was an important prison in Bristol, England. It was located on Spike Island, very close to Bristol Harbour. A gaol is an old word for a jail or prison, a place where people who broke the law were held.
Contents
History of the Bristol Gaol
Building the Prison
The New Gaol was finished in 1832. It was designed by an architect named Richard Shackleton Pope. Interestingly, there was an earlier prison on the same spot. This first prison was designed in 1816 by H.H Seward.
A Time of Trouble
In 1831, the first prison was badly damaged during the Bristol Riots. These were big protests in the city. Because of the damage, the prison was not fully completed until 1872.
Closing and Replacement
The New Gaol did not stay open for very long. It was closed in 1883 because the conditions inside were not good. Most of the building was taken down in 1898. A new prison, called Horfield Prison, was built in 1884 to take its place.
What Remains Today
Even though most of the prison is gone, some parts are still standing. The entrance wall and gateway, along with a part of the outer wall, are protected. They are known as a Grade II listed building. This means they are important historical structures. Today, these remaining parts are a key feature of new building projects in that area of Bristol.
