Britain's official guide to canals, rivers and lakes

Thursday 4th December 2008

Prison and Police Museum

St. Marygate
Ripon
Yorkshire

T: 01765 690799

E: ripon.museums@btclick.com

W: Website »

Ripon Prison and Police Museum.  © Gordon Hatton - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

This former House of Correction and Liberty Gaol goes back to the late 17th Century, but the part where the museum is located was constructed as a gaol later, in 1816. Prison reforms saw an end to this and many other prisons in the late 19th Century. After a period of non-use, this building became the local police station in 1887.

This history is now displayed in the newly refurbished museum, just opened again to the public.

Interesting exhibits are a pillory, a pair of stocks, a whipping post, a Dr. Who-style Police Box and a cell where you are the prisoner! There's also an audio-visual presentation giving you more information, and examples of police uniforms and headgear from the period.

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