Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Ilchester Gaol
Hob Uid: 196549
Location : Somerset South Somerset Ilchester
Grid Ref : ST5222022830
Summary : On 3 sites from 1166 - 1843. Ilchester Gaol and House of Correction was situated at Northover, on the north bank of the river Ivel, by 1615. The prison was extended by the addition of 26 cells in 1789. By 1808, the prison had a quadrangular plan, with ranges of buildings around courtyards. Dayrooms were located on the ground floor with sleeping cells on the floors above. The entrance was to the south. The central governor's house, opposite the gatehouse, was flanked by the chapel and male infirmary to the west and by the time men's ward to the east. Running south from the west end of the infirmary was a wing for male prisoners. Lying south of the time men's ward were the debtor's apartments, a stable and cow house and a carpenter's shop and conversation room. On the west side of the prison was an L-plan female prison. By 1821 a number of additions had been made. A detatched building north of the gaoler's house, containing a wash house and a bakehouse on the ground floor and a laundry on the first floor, had been erected by 1810. The courtyards had been subdivided. Additions had been made to the debtors' prison and a two storey factory had been erected west of the female prison. Further plans were proposed but it is not clear if any of these were carried out. The prison closed in March 1843. In 1949 the former wash house and laundry survived as 'Gaol Cottages'.
More information : [ST 5213 2274] GAOL [GT] (Site of). (1) The earliest reference to Ilchester gaol was in 1166 and in the 700 years of its existence it had three sites:- A = [ST 5213 2274] Within the borough walls laying back from the road on the west side of what is now High Street and near the market place. Probably not a large building. B = [ST 5222 2283] After 1322 and before 1429, the gaol was on the west side in the middle of Ilchester Bridge; a small stone-built structure but large enough to hold prisoners awaiting trial. C = [ST 5223 2288] By 1614 a new building had been commenced on the N. bank of the river in Northover. This was used, with modifications right through to 1843 when it was abandoned. All that now remains of the once notorious county gaol is the former bakehouse and washhouse converted into dwellings, still known as 'the gaol cottages' (2). Photo: See AO/64/303/6. (2) There is nothing on the ground to indicate the sites of the first two gaols. The remains of the last gaol are accurately described by Mr. J.S. Cox. (3)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : O.S.25" 1929.
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Ilchester Gaol and House of Correction. Hist. Monograph No.4 1949, pp.69-102 plans, photos. (J. Stevens Cox)
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : F1 GHP 08-DEC-66
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : First mentioned.
Monument End Date : 1166
Monument Start Date : 1166
Monument Type : Prison
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : By 1615.
Monument End Date : 1615
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Gaol, House Of Correction
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : By 1808.
Monument End Date : 1808
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Gaol, House Of Correction, Debtors Prison, Prison Governors House, Gatehouse, Chapel, Infirmary, Cell Block, Stable, Cow House, Carpenters Workshop
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Additions made by 1821.
Monument End Date : 1821
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Gaol, House Of Correction, Debtors Prison, Cell Block, Workshop, Boundary Wall
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Additions made in 1810.
Monument End Date : 1810
Monument Start Date : 1810
Monument Type : Gaol, House Of Correction, Debtors Prison, Wash House, Bakehouse, Laundry
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : In 1949, buildings uses as housing.
Monument End Date : 1949
Monument Start Date : 1949
Monument Type : House
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

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Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : NBR Index Number
External Cross Reference Number : 93851
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : ST 52 SW 37
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Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1966-12-08
End Date : 1966-12-08

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 1991-01-01
End Date : 1991-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1995-01-01
End Date : 1998-12-01