Beaumaris Gaol and Courthouse

For a fascinating glimpse into the darker side of Welsh history, few places are as atmospheric as Beaumaris Gaol and Courthouse. Together, these two historic buildings reveal how law, crime and punishment were administered on Anglesey for centuries, offering visitors a vivid journey into the world of prisoners, judges and courtroom drama. Built in 1829, Beaumaris Gaol was designed according to the prison reform principles of the Victorian era. Behind its imposing stone walls, visitors can walk along dimly lit corridors, explore original prison cells and discover the strict regime imposed on inmates. The condemned cell and punishment cell are among the most atmospheric areas, providing a chilling reminder of the harsh realities faced by prisoners during the nineteenth century. One of the gaol’s most remarkable features is its original penal treadmill, one of the few surviving examples in Britain still in its original location. Prisoners were forced to walk for hours on this punishing machine, which was used to pump water throughout the building. Exhibits throughout the prison explain daily life behind bars, from discipline and isolation to the surprising range of offences that could lead to imprisonment.