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Latitude: 53.2634 / 53°15'48"N
Longitude: -4.0952 / 4°5'42"W
OS Eastings: 260350
OS Northings: 376089
OS Grid: SH603760
Mapcode National: GBR JN82.DVH
Mapcode Global: WH542.275K
Plus Code: 9C5Q7W73+8W
Entry Name: Perimeter walls of Beaumaris Gaol
Listing Date: 23 September 1950
Last Amended: 13 July 2005
Grade: I
Source: Cadw
Source ID: 5580
Building Class: Civil
ID on this website: 300005580
Location: Occupying the block defined by Steeple Lane, Bunkers Hill, Gaol Street, and a narrow alley at the S end.
County: Isle of Anglesey
Town: Beaumaris
Community: Beaumaris (Biwmares)
Community: Beaumaris
Built-Up Area: Beaumaris
Traditional County: Anglesey
Tagged with: Wall
Beaumaris Gaol and House of Correction was built in 1829 by Joseph Hansom and Edward Welch, architects of York. The perimeter wall was an integral part of the original prison building. It had a high-level doorway from which public hangings took place. Two men were hanged there during the life of the prison, which closed in 1878. It has been a museum since 1975.
The perimeter of the gaol is composed of coursed freestone walls approximately 15m high and 55m by 32m, with freestone coping and a slight batter at the base. Each side has shallow buttresses rising to three-quarter height, and clasped at the angles. The main entrance, to Bunkers Hill on the N side, is between splayed sections of the perimeter wall that abut the main prison building. It has 4 lower freestone piers with central double iron gates, and flanking bays with railings on dwarf walls.
On the S side the wall rises higher, in 2 steps, to accommodate the extension to the S wing made in 1867. Subsequently a doorway, in a concrete surround, was inserted in the wall at this point, with boarded door. On the E side is a wider buttress to the R of centre, at the top of which is a studded door, over which the gallows was fixed. On the inner side of the wall at this point is a bell surmounted by a wooden cross.
The inner side of the wall is pebble-dashed, except the SW quadrant where the original stone is exposed.
Listed grade I for its special interest as a virtually unaltered early C19 prison perimeter wall from where public executions took place, and as an integral component of an exceptionally well-preserved prison of national importance.
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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