Exhibitions

The Old Gaol displays cover the history of the earliest recorded purpose-built gaol in England, looking at medieval crimes and punishments. Hexham’s original town stocks can be seen. Outside the Gaol are replica stocks and a pillory.

The Gaol was also used to keep Border Reivers locked up in the 1500s, and some of the prisoners and the Reivers way of life are explored. There is a film of a Border raid, and you can meet a family, the Gaoler, a Deputy Warden, and Sir Robert Carey, Middle March Warden and cousin of Queen Elizabeth I. You can see if you have Reiver ancestors sharing your Surname, and find out where they lived.

Related Links

• Hexham Old Gaol homepage - The Old Gaol was Britain's first recorded purpose built prison, built in 1333 by the order of the Archbishop of York.
• Hexham Moothall
• Hexham Old Gaol history - A short history of the Old Gaol from its conception in 1330 to the present day.
• Education visits - School classes are welcome to visit the museum.
• Visitor information - Information on how to get to the museum, admission charges and facilities