Ruthin Gaol 

Ruthin Gaol stands on a site that was first used as a prison in 1684. Until the Gaol’s closure in 1916 it was subject to many alterations and additions, including the wing based upon the Pentonville model, built in 1866. Today, part of it is used to house the County Record Office.

The Gaol building will be used as an educational centre and will house a wide range of archive material to encourage the use of original sources and research techniques.

The interpretation of the Gaol site will use sources to give a complete picture of its social and architectural history.

After an intense period of building and restoration work, part of the site will be available for the public and educational groups from 2001. Much evidence of the Gaol’s former years remains for interpretation of the prison system. The building, acknowledged to be architecturally and historically interesting, will be used to tell the story of crime and punishment in the area, a story that includes other sites in the town.

Please contact Denbighshire Heritage Service for further details

on (01824 708250)

(Revised 05/01/2000)