09/09/2026
One of our care homes recently phoned with a request to take some of the residents to prison. “Oh dear, what have they done? - cheated at dominoes, stolen all of the Werthers Originals, loosened the wheels on wheelchairs, instigated a water fight?” I asked. No, none of the above, it’s a well being outing to The Old Prison at Northleach. (Ah that’s ok then).
Designed by architect William Blackburn who had won first prize in a competition for a prison design (who knew such a thing existed) it opened in 1792.
Until 1820’s there were 5 classes of prisoner and the yard and cells were segregated according to class:
* Class 1; The most atrocious males
* Class 2: 1st time offenders
* Class 3: Men and boys imprisoned for not paying fines or being unable to pay surety
* Class 4: Women and girls
* Class 5: Vagrants in a foul and filthy state
Work and pay differed by class however class 1 prisoners were unpaid and on hard labour.
In 1823 a hand winch was introduced. Men turned the handle to grind corn on a millstone. This was then replaced in 1827 with a treadmill as the Magistrates looked for an even more punishing tool with prisoners climbing between 10 and 12 thousand feet a day - that got their steps in!
Children 9-13 were educated for 2 hours per day.
To deal with the problem of single women having children, The Poor Act 1834 was passed. This prevented unmarried mothers from claiming poor relief from their parish. It also removed all financial responsibility from fathers for their children (eh, really ??) as the government tried to dissuade unmarried women from having children. Under law, unmarried mothers who couldn’t support themselves became vagabonds and were imprisoned by magistrates.
In 1857 due to the growth of the railways the prison closed as it was no longer viable - prisoners could now be transported to Gloucester for sentencing and jailing. However in 1859 it reopened as a petty sessions court and police station until 1974.
Friends of the Cotswolds purchased it in 2013 to protect its heritage as a grade 2 listed Georgian prison
It is free to go around, most of the downstairs is wheelchair friendly and you can even go into some cells. upstairs is via some tight stone steps. There is a really nice cafe serving really nice food and plenty of room for a wheelchair with an outside area too, and a disabled toilet.
For wellbeing activity trips with wheelchair accessible vehicles email [email protected]
