Hexham Old Gaol

The building of Hexham Gaol was ordered in June 1330, making it the oldest purpose-built prison in England. It held prisoners captured in Hexhamshire - the area ruled over by the Archbishop of York - and his Bailiff and officials ran the Shire on his behalf from the nearby Moothall.

Four floors are packed with information which really brings this history to life:

• Delve into the dark history of the Old Gaol, the Shire and the Borders
• Enjoy an unforgettable learning experience
• Find out about the terrifying Border Reiver raids and the tragic consequences
• Watch the special “Reiver Raid” film made exclusively for the Old Gaol
• Discover the area’s history and explore the buildings the Borderers lived in

Visitor Information & Contact Details:

For visitor information and contact details click here.

Educational Visits:

For information on educational visits to the Hexham Gaol click here.

Latest News & Exhibitions:

Hexham Old Gaol has just been graded as a Bronze Green Business under the Green Tourism Business Scheme. This success reflects the hard work and dedication of both the Old Gaol staff and visitors whose comments have resulted in changes that have contributed to this award.

For information on Exhibitions at the Hexham Old Gaol click here.

The History & Timeline of Hexham Old Gaol: 

For the history of Hexham Old Gaol click here.

For the timeline of the Hexham Old Gaol click here.

Border Library/ Moothall Art Gallery:

For information about the Border Library click here.

For Information about Moothall click here.

For more learning resources on Hexham Old Gaol:

• Tynedale Learning Links