5. North Gate County Gaol

This is the site of the original County Gaol. North Gate was built circa 1405 and also served as an entrance to Palace Green and the Castle and Cathedral that at certain times also acted as a gaol. It was the only Durham Gate to do so.

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“Enlarged in 1773 but was still very cramped. It was visited by a number of concerned individuals and prison reformers over time. This included John Howard, the leading prison reform campaigner, who made repeated visits because he was convinced that the gaoler was trying to cover up the bad conditions that prisoners lived in. Another reformer, James Neild, published his findings in the Gentleman’s Magazine of 1805. As well as witnessing the primitive conditions of Durham Gaol, Neild also recounted how his visit nearly cost him his life. He had nearly fallen down a deep shaft whilst exploring a dungeon and he was only saved when his coat caught on a nail. Needless to say, Neild was not impressed by his experience! Durham Gaol was also visited by Joseph Gurney and Elizabeth Fry as part of their tour of prisons of England and Scotland.”[Source: The History of Durham Prison – www.community.dur.ac.uk/4schools/Crime/Durhamprison1.htm]

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The Gaol was closed down in 1810. Prison inspector Neild described it as the worst in England due to sexual license, alcohol and the terrible conditions.