WARWICKSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE. Lock-ups at Alcester and Bewdley..

Remaining lock-ups are a bit thin on the ground in this part of the world.


The lock-up at Alcester in Warwickshire is situated on the ground floor of the old Town Hall in Church Street, B49 5QX and probably dates to the 18th century when the open arcades were filled in to form a lock-up in the south west bay. The building actually dates to c1618.

ALCESTER

OS Grid Reference: SP0908257521
OS Grid Coordinates: 409082, 257521
Latitude/Longitude: 52.2158, -1.8685

Photo by Stephen McKay

© Copyright Stephen McKay and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

I am grateful to Stephen McKay for the use of his photograph on Geograph.

It was Grade 11 listed 10.2.1956 (No.395224) and described as :

 Town Hall, c.1618. Ground floor.................former lock-up in south-west bay.
Listing NGR: SP0908257521

 Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

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There are three individual lock-up cells at Bewdley in Worcestershire situated in their original position in Load Street, DY12 2AS, behind the Town Hall and Shambles, now Bewdley Museum and they date to 1783 with some 20th century restoration. The original doors, which were replaced, are stored at the museum.

 

BEWDLEY

OS Grid Reference: SO7867875294
OS Grid Coordinates: 378678, 275294
Latitude/Longitude: 52.3753, -2.3146


Photo courtsesy of Bewdley Museum

Together with The Shambles, they were Grade 11 listed 2.10.1975 (No.156796) and described as :

Market building and prison cells, now part of Bewdley Museum. 1783 with
some late C20 restoration. Brick with tile roofs. Two parallel ranges
running back (south-east) from Town Hall (qv) with 14 bays to the north
range, 15 to the south. Bays open to front with segmental arches on square
brick piers, south-east closed by a single arch with blank wall at back.
Attached at south corner are three prison cells; two facing north-west have
rusticated ashlar surrounds, fanlights with wrought iron infill and studded
boarded doors with strap hinges. (Hereford and Worcester Record Office, BA
2432, box 3, no 49b).
Listing NGR: SO7867875294

 Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

Photo courtesy of Bewdley Museum

This cell has a datestone for 1802.


"The interior of the lock-up was sparse consisting of a stone bed with a wooden board and a small grate.  Once the door was locked the cell would have been dark, poorly ventilated and the grate would have provided only a little warmth if the prisoner had been fortunate enough to persuade someone to light a fire."

Photo courtesy of Bewdley Museum 
Bewdley's pillory and stocks were also in Load Street.

"It was said that Bewdley had a high proportion of criminals, possibly due to the town having ' a smaller proportion of schools and a larger proportion of public houses than any other town in the country.' At its height Bewdley had as many as thirty public houses."

"As early as 1447 there was a lock-up in the gatehouse on the bridge, which was severely damaged by floods in 1795 and the lock-up was not replaced when a new bridge was built.
In any case in 1627 the 'New House' with a 'strong cage' was built under the old Town Hall and it was demolished in 1793. This probably coincided with the Charter by James 1 of 1605 which allowed towns to police themselves with a Constable and J.P to deal with minor offences. More serious offences were dealt with at Quarter Sessions or Assizes".
http://www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/cms/leisure-and-culture/museums-and-galleries.aspx

 

I am most grateful to Liz Cowley of Bewdley Museum for sending me these photographs and an information leaflet about the lock-up.

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HEREFORDSHIRE. Lock-ups at Bosbury, Bridstow, Ross on Wye and Yarpole.

Further west in Herefordshire I have located just four former lock-ups.

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The lock-up at Bosbury is situated in the gatehouse to the Old Court Farmhouse, HR8 1QT,
to the left of the gateway.

 

 

BOSBURY

OS Grid Reference: SO6957743502
OS Grid Coordinates: 369577, 243502
Latitude/Longitude: 52.0890, -2.4454

 

Photo by Philip Pankhurst
 

 © Copyright Philip Pankhurst and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. 

 

I am grateful to Philip Pankhurst for the use of his Geograph photograph.

 

 

The building was Grade 11 listed 26.3.1986 (No.153010) and described as :

 





Former gatehouse to the Old Court, now hop store. Possibly C14, greatly
altered. Sandstone rubble, tiled roof, brick C19 alterations to rear.
Gatehouse aligned north/south with central gateway, adjoining hop kilns
to north (not of special architectural interest) and former Grammar School
(qv) to south. Gateway now of two storeys, central pointed archway of two
chamfered orders (head of arch now blocked) with minor pointed arch headed
doorway of one chamfered order to left flanked by buttressing, wall extends
to south (left) with two openings to upper floor and one to lower. The room
to the left of the entrance is known locally as the jail. (RCHM Vol II, p 20,
item 4; Watkins, J: Duncomb's Collections towards the History and Antiquities
of the County of Hereford, Hundred of Radlow, 1902, p 27; Rev S Bentley, History
of the Parish of Bosbury, 1891).
Listing NGR: SO6957743508

 

Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

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Gatehouse to Old Court Farmhouse - Bosbury - Herefordshire - England

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The former lock-up at Bridstow is situated in Wilton Lane, HR9 6AQ and is now part of the White Lion public house (Tel.01989 562785). It has been altered and its two storeys probably contained constable's accomodation. It probably dates to the early 17th century.

 

 

BRIDSTOW

Photo by Landscape Origins of the Wye Valley.

 

I am grateful to Heather Hurley of Ross & District Civic Society for sending me this photograph.

 

 

It was Grade 11 listed 18.5.1953 (No.398898) and described as :

 

BRIDSTOW CP WILTON LANE (south side) SO 5824 9/40 Old Prison 18.5.53 GV II Prison, now part of public house. Possibly early C17. Square sandstone, pantiled roof and brick end stack. Two storeys. Two windows, 2-light barred mullions each with blocked opening beneath. 
First floor of gable end has another 2-light barred mullion to left of end stack. (RCHM Vol I, p 33).

 

Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

 

 

 

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The fine lock-up at Ross on Wye is situated in New Street, HR9 7DA and dates to 1820-1830.

 

 

 

 

ROSS ON WYE

 

OS Grid Reference: SO5987124247
OS Grid Coordinates: 359873, 224247
Latitude/Longitude: 51.9153, -2.5848

 

 

Photo by Ross & District Civic Society with permission.

 

 

I am grateful to Heather Hurley from Ross & District Civic Society for sending me this photograph.

 

 

It was Grade 11* listed 22,10,1952 (No.153571) and described as :

 

 1820-30. Formerly the old prison. Small square red sandstone building

with hipped slate roof. In front, on ground floor are high flanking pointed

windows with iron bars on 1st floor a similar window in centre with a small

blocked one on either side. Doorway has a pointed arch of 2 orders with

stone panel above. Door is studded and has a grill. Heavy wide stone pilasters

on either side.

Listing NGR: SO5987124247

 

Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

Ross on Wye web site tells us :

In 1830 an Improvement Act was passed for "paving, cleaning, draining, lighting, regulating and improving the Town of Ross" and this meant that Ross could have Watchmen and a Lock Up containing two or more cells. The Lock Up, now known as Old Jail or 'Gaol', was then built on New Street on the site of an old stables in around 1838 and was used between 1838 and 1844 as an actual Lock Up.

In 1839 the Rural Constabulary Act was passed and, although slow to be implemented as it was seen mainly as being expensive and a challenge to England's liberties among other things [ more details ], this resulted in the county forcing the town commissioners to find a new station house. This led to a new station, and housing for the constables, being built in Brampton Street, just off Five Ways, in 1844. By 1935 expansion meant a new station was needed and the old rectory in Church Street was used as a police station until around 1957, when a new station was built off Old Maids Walk, and the old rectory was soon demolished to allow police housing to be built there.

www.rossonwye.com

 

 

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The lock-up at Yarpole is now a private house and nothing has been found about its history

 

YARPOLE

 

Photo by Roy Pledger

PLEASE RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY

 

 

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STAFFORDSHIRE. Lock-ups at Alton, Gnosall, Penkridge and Stafford..

There are four remaining lock-ups in Staffordshire of varying design.

The lock-up at Alton reverts to the roundhouse style reminiscent of those in the West Country.
Quite majestic with its cupola and ball finial, it is known as The Round House. It is situated in Dimble Lane, ST10 4BL and dates to 1819.

 

 

ALTON

OS Grid Reference: SK0722042114
OS Grid Coordinates: 407220, 342114
Latitude/Longitude: 52.9763, -1.8939
 

Photo by Roy Pledger

 

 

It was Grade 11 listed 3.1.1967 (No.275009) and described as :

 

Shown on OS Map as Round House.
Lock-up. 1819. Rock faced ashlar with ashlar dome and cupola.
Circular plan. One-storey with hemispherical dome surmounted by a
cupola with ball finial; door to the north (A.M.). B.O.E. p. 55
Listing NGR: SK0722042114

 

Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.


See also : http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/alton-the-round-house/Memory/83c43700-0ecd-4553-81aa-a01400ab69d2

 

 

 

 

 

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The lock-up at Gnosall dates to the 18th century and was originally situated in Station Road. It was moved to its present position in Sellman Street, ST20 0EZ near to the A518 Stafford Road in 1971.

 

 

 

GNOSALL

OS Grid Reference: SJ8286520686
OS Grid Coordinates: 382865, 320686
Latitude/Longitude: 52.7835, -2.2555
 

Photo by Roy Pledger

It was Grade 11 listed 10.1.1972 (No.443423) and described as :

Probably C18. Square on plan. Rubble and rough ashlar with stone pyramidal roof.

Nail studded door, formerly with iron grille .

Listing NGR: SJ8286520686

 

Source: English Heritag

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

In March 2011 the parish web site recorded :

You may have noticed that The Lock Up, our ancient monument building has recently had "a makeover".  In conjunction with English Heritage, Gnosall Parish Council identified that the Lock Up was in need of repair and some remedial drainage works.   The exiting oak door has been dismantled and repaired, some of the old door has been saved and is built into the new door.  The door has been fitted with better security to prevent vandalism - something that was happening far too frequently last year.  We need to look after this precious building and are pleased that English Heritage have agreed to pay an annual sum to the parish council to help with any maintenance the Lock Up requires.

History of the Lock UpAt the meeting of the Select Vestry on June 10th 1820 it was ordered that a proper building shall be erected for the proper confinement of criminals etc.  By the time it was finished and paid for the Captain Swing Riots in the South of England were over, people were less afraid and the navvies were behaving themselves so it was not used often.  Probably last used over 100 years ago when a local shepherd was put in for the night and let out the next morning.  It is said the custodian the sole key holder rode out from Stafford (7 miles away) to bring victuals or release the prisoner.  The windowless prison did not allow any relatives to provide sustenance. 

In the 1950's/60's it was used as a henhouse and fell into disrepair.  In 1964 Staffordshire County Council wanted to move the Lock Up to the County Museum at Shugborough as it stood in the way of road widening.  Gnosall W.I was strongly opposed to its removal from the village.  They decided to raise money to purchase a piece of land of which to re-site the Lock Up - their project to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the first W.I in this country in 1915.  It proved impossible to purchase a piece of land and members were beginning to lose hope when, in 1969, Mr Downs of Parkside Sellman Street offered to give the W.I the piece of land where the Lock up now stands.  Staffordshire County Council gave a grant for the removal of the Lock up and the money raised by the W.I covered legal expenses and fencing around the building. 

Disaster struck before the Lock Up could be removed when a lorry ran into it and almost demolished it.  Removal was now more difficult.  The work was carried out by a Lichfield firm specialising in restoring old buildings.  Each stone had to be numbered.  In December 1971 restoration began, the W.I put in a plastic bag a 1/2p, 2p and 10p piece, the Home and Country Magazine, a daily paper and the following note "This Lock Up was built in the 18th Century and was moved to its present site in 1971.  These coins were placed by the Women's Institute to commemorate its Golden Jubilee at the relaying of the first stone"  Signed Brearley, Edge and Winter.  http://gnosallparishcouncil.org.uk  

 



Image produced from the Staffordshire Past Track service with permission of Landmark Information Group Ltd. and Ordnance Survey where Staffordshire Past Track is hyperlinked to www.staffspasttrack.org.uk,  Landmark Information Group Ltd. is hyperlinked to http://www.landmark-information.co.uk  and Ordnance Survey is
hyperlinked to http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk.


See also : www.search.staffspasttrack.org.uk/engine/resource/default.asp?resource=6  

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The lock-up at Penkridge, known as the Old Gaol, is situated at Bellbrook, ST19 5DL. It was originally a barn which was converted to a lock-up in 1785. It was restored by Penkridge Civic Society in the late 1990's and was opened as a Heritage Centre in 2000 (Open Wednesday and Saturday from March to September Tel: 01785 713558).

 

 

 

PENKRIDGE

OS Grid Reference: SJ9252414164
OS Grid Coordinates: 392524, 314164
Latitude/Longitude: 52.7251, -2.1121
 

Photo by Ray Cotton

www.staffordshire.co.uk

 

 I am grateful to Paul and Ray Cotton for giving me permisssion to copy the photograph.

 

It was Grade 11 listed 2.1.1986 (No.271692) and described as :

Lock-up. Early C19. Red brick with ashlar dressings; plain tile roof.

One storey with dentilled eaves; roughly 2 bays, central boarded door and
small square window immediately left of it with iron bars, blocked
segmental headed window to right. The lock-up is situated opposite the
Old Cottage (q.v.) and is included for group value.
Listing NGR: SJ9252414164

 Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

 

It is interesting to note that the Old Cottage referred to was originally a farm house which at some stage was converted into a police station with cells. 

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The lock-up at Stafford is very similar in design to Gnosall. It is situated on Lichfield Road,
ST17 4BH in an area known as Forebridge which was formerly a separate parish. It dates to the late 18th century and was restored by Staffordshire County Council in 1980.

  



STAFFORD

OS Grid Reference: SJ9247422818
OS Grid Coordinates: 392474, 322818
Latitude/Longitude: 52.8029, -2.1131

Photo's by Roy Pledger


It was Grade 11 listed 16.1.1951 (No.384001) and described as :

Lock-up. C18. Ashlar. Rectangular structure with short wall
ends to left return. Stone roof is offset with hipped right
end. Entrance in plain surround with gabled lintel. Rear has
large unglazed and barred window. Left return retains wall
ends of the C17 White Lion Inn, now demolished.
 Listing NGR: SJ9247422818
 

  Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is ©

 

 

 

 

An information board outside the building reads :

 

" The lock-up, which dates from the late 18th century, is built in dressed sandstone with a pyramidal roof of thick stone slabs. On the interior it possesses a brick vaulted roof. The structure dates from the time when the Forebridge area belonged to a separate parish from the remainder of the town ( it was part of Castle Church until the 19th century ) and therefore required its own facilities, including a place in which to detain wrongdoers. Nearby, were a set of stocks and a pinfold for impounding stray animals, whilst on the opposite side of White Lion Street was a workhouse.
The lock-up was once attached to the north-west end of the White Lion Inn, a building that was removed during the construction of Queensway in the 1970's. It has been suggested that both the White Lion and the lock-up were constructed out of re-used stone from the medieval Hospital of St John the Baptist which previously stood in the area. It seems likely that the Hospital was founded by a member of the Stafford family in the 12th century. However, the first direct reference to it occurs in a document dated 1208."

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SHROPSHIRE. lock-up at Bishop's Castle.

The lock-up at Bishop's Castle was situated in the basement of the Town Hall, High Street, SY9 5BG and has now been converted into public toilets. The building dates to c1765 to the designs of architect William Baker, with 19th century remodelling.



 

 

BISHOP'S CASTLE

OS Grid Reference: SO3234488950
OS Grid Coordinates: 332344, 288950
Latitude/Longitude: 52.4942, -2.9979
 

Photo by David Neal

 

© Copyright David Neal and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

 

I am grateful to David Neal for the use of his Geograph photograph.

 

 

The building was Grade 11* listed 28.7.1950 (No.256962) and described as :

 

Town Hall. Circa 1765 with mid- to late-C19 remodelling.
 Basement and 2 storeys.
2 circular basement windows with wrought-iron grilles.
5 bay east and west fronts; .....  public lavatories in former
lock-up in basement to south. Interior: entrance hall to north with
office above, and ground floor hall to south with Courtroom (probably
former Council Chamber) above
  Listing NGR: SO3234488950

 

Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

 

 

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The lock-up at Much Wenlock is situated at the north end of the undercroft of The Guildhall in Wilmore Street, TF13 6HR, which contains the old Council Chamber and Law Courts on the upper floor. 
Whilst the building is timber framed, the lock-up is built from stone and
may date to the late 14th century.
 

 

 

MUCH WENLOCK

 

OS Grid Reference: SO6235599955
OS Grid Coordinates: 362355, 299955
Latitude/Longitude: 52.5961, -2.5572

 

 

The building was Grade 11* listed 24.10.1950 (No.254848) and described as :

 

 

Circa 1557. Timber frame and plaster. Single storey raised upon an arcaded
undercroft of oak posts with plain brackets. The undercroft is of seven
bays closed by C19 gates. The north end, below, is of stone, probably
late C14, originally a prison. The superstructure has 3 gables, that
on right-hand side modern over a timber-framed passage-way, each containing
a tall moulded wood mullioned and transomed six-light leaded windows. 2
additional smaller lights. The east side or rear is much rebuilt, C19
with arcaded treatment and some brickwork, but the structure generally
is an excellant example of its type. Original queen-post roof. Jacobean
panelling and fittings, but little of it in situ. Recently well restored.

Listing NGR: SO6235699956

Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

 





NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. Lock-ups at Farnsfield, Mansfield Woodhouse and Tuxford.

Moving south into Nottinghamshire, I have located only three exisiting and one derelict lock-up.
Apart from Tuxford, information on these lock-ups is rather sparse

 

The is/was a lock-up at Edwinstowe situated in High Street opposite Ye Olde Jug and Glass pub possible between No.42 and the Old Library. It was reported to be derelict and may

have disappeared altogether now.

 

 

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The lock-up at Farnsfield is situated in Mansfield Road, NG22 8HF

and it dates to the early 19th century.

OS Grid Reference: SK6449056786
OS Grid Coordinates: 464490, 356786
Latitude/Longitude: 53.1044, -1.0382

It was Grade 11 listed 13.5.1986 (No.242135) and described as :

Lockup. Early C19. Red brick, with brick and ashlar dressings.

Slate roof. Open pediments formed in the gables with raised

brick bands. Single storey, single bay. Gable end to road with

doorway with chamfered ashlar surround and heavy wooden plank

door with stud headed nails. Above is a lozenge shaped

ventilator. In the right wall is an opening with chamfered

ashlar surround and metal grille and bars

Listing NGR: SK6449056786

.

 Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

I don't have a photograph of this lock-up.  Can you help please?

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I haven't been able to find any information about the lock-up at Mansfield Woodhouse except that it is situated in Station Street and it may well be in private ownership.

 

 

MANSFIELD WOODHOUSE

Sketch by Charlie Glenn

I am very grateful to Charlie Glenn for allowing me to copy his sketch.
 

 

 

 

 

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The large lock-up at Tuxford is situated in Long Lane at the junction with Newcastle Street,

NG22 0LN and its large datestone reads 1823. It appears that there was a lobby, with table and chair, inside the door of the use of the village constable. A cell at each side contained a wooden bench, with restraining rings and chains together with an earth toilet.

 

 

 



 

 

TUXFORD

OS Grid Reference: SK7354470846
OS Grid Coordinates: 473544, 370846
Latitude/Longitude: 53.2296, -0.8997
 

Photo by Richard Croft with expressed permission

© Copyright Richard Croft and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

I am grateful to Richard Croft for the use of his Geograph photograph

It was Grade 11 listed 14.11.1985 (N o.420410) and described as :

 Lock up. Dated 1823. Red brick, some stucco. Hipped pantile
roof. Dogtooth eaves. Single storey, 3 bays. Central doorway,
panelled iron door, with single long hinge, under cambered arch.
Either side are single recessed round arched blind panels, each
with a single small circular opening with iron bars. Above the
doorway is an oval stucco panel dated 1823 .
Listing NGR: SK7354470846

Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

An appraisal of the conservation area at Tuxford, by Bassetlaw District Council in March 2011

tells us :

' Tuxford also possessed a lock-up, one of only three in Nottinghamshire. Built in1823 it stands on the green on Newcastle Street. It has two separate cells, each with an earth closet. Ventilation was achieved through portholes with ironbars on the front and back walls. In 1884 an extension was added to the back of the lock-up to house Tuxford's fire engine (this has since been demolished and the fire engine is on display in the south of the country). A police house was nearby. By the 1900s, however, the lock-up is believed to have changed use to a mortuary for a local doctor. The pinfold, which remained in use untilthe 1920's, was located directly behind the lock-up. By comparison, the Farnsfield lock-up, which is the only other surviving example in Nottinghamshire, is a much simpler brick structure, making Tuxford’s lock-up an important example. It was lucky to escape demolition in the 1970's '.

 

 

 

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LINCOLNSHIRE. Lock-ups at Deeping St James and Digby.

It seems that there are just two existing lock-ups in Lincolnshire, both converted from other use.

The 15th century cross at Deeping St James, situated in Eastgate, PE6 8RB, was converted into a lock up in 1819 (datestone) and was refurbished in 1999. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade 1 listed building.



 DEEPING ST JAMES

OS Grid Reference: TF1581709486
OS Grid Coordinates: 515817, 309486
Latitude/Longitude: 52.6707, -0.2886
 

Photo by Roy Pledger

 

 

It was Grade 1 listed 30.101968 (No.194457) and described as :

 

Cross converted to lock up. C15, converted 1819. Squared
limestone rubble, ashlar. Square on plan with double stepped
plinth. On north side is a panelled and barred door with plain
ashlar lintel. Above is a coped offset to sides of cross base
enriched with cusped 6 lank panels and shields with stepped angle
buttresses between which are embattled friezes, that to north
inscribed 1819. Above is a pyramidal stone roof crowned by reset
fragment of a crocketed nodding ogee canopy. Interior has 3
semi-circular recessed and semi-domed seats, with attached
chains. Scheduled Ancient Monument No. 69.

Listing NGR: TF1581709486

 

 Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

  

 

 

A descriptive plaque alongside reads :

 DEEPING ST JAMES CROSS
is a listed ancient monument built in the 15th century to serve the market centre of the village.
In 1819 it was converted to a lock-up to house three people overnight, before being take
to the magistrate next morning. The oak door on the north side reveals, through the bars, the
stone seats with chains. Between those bars a long spouted tea kettle was thrust - if you were
lucky!  A parish-pump on the east side existed well into the last century. In 1999 the Cross area was refurbished and duly opened by John Timson, author and broadcaster.

Photo by Richard Croft 

 

© Copyright Richard Croft and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

 

I am grateful to Richard Croft for the use of his Geograph photograph.

 

 

 

 

 

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The tiny lock-up at Digby was originally a well head and as a lock-up must have been very cramped with no room for a bench. It is situated in Church Street and dates to the 17th century.

 

 

 



 



DIGBY

Photo by Roy Pledger

 

It was Grade 11 listed 23.11.1951 (No.437458) and described as :

 

 

DIGBY CHURCH STREET TF 05 SE (south side) 4/27 Village Lock-up 23.11.51 GV II Lock-up formerly wellhead. C17 restored C20. Limestone ashlar. Circular in plan, standing 2 metres high with an ogee cap surmounted by a ball finial. A single doorway with a plank door, and moulded chamfered ashlar jambs.

 

 Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

 

 

 

Photo by Richard Croft with expressed permission

 

© Copyright Richard Croft and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

 

I am grateful to Richard Croft for the use of his Geograph photograph.

 

 

 

 

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LEICESTERSHIRE. Lock-ups at Barrow on Soar, Quorn and Swithland..

These are three more contrasting lock-ups in Leicestershire.

The lock-up at Barrow on Soar is known as the Round House, a brick built octagonal building with a grey slate roof. It is situated in Beveridge Street, LE12 8PR and dates to 1827 (datestone). It was later used to house the village fire engine and then as a hearse house for the village bier. It has been renovated and is used as an exhibition centre.



BARROW ON SOAR

OS Grid Reference: SK5765017533
OS Grid Coordinates: 457650, 317533
Latitude/Longitude: 52.7523, -1.1473
 

Photo by Judith Rogers with expressed permission.

 

I am grateful to Judith Rodgers of Barrow on Soar Heritage Group for allowing me to copy her photograph.

 

 

It was Grade 11 listed 1.6.1966 (No.189271) and described as :

 

Hearse house and lock-up. Dated 1827 over the door. Small single storey
octagonal brick building, with slate roof with stone cap. Wide double doorway
on one side, with brick arched head, the entrance front chamfered outwards
at the angles. Two small barred windows with brick arched heads.
Listing NGR: SK5765017533

 

Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

 

In the 1851 census it was described as the Parish Prison

and the constable at the time was Wm Bryan.

 

 

 

 

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The lock-up at Quorn was converted into public toilets and subsequently into commercial premises.

It was originally on the village green which is now part of a commercial refurbishment scheme off Station Road, LE12 8BS.

 

QUORN

Grid Reference	SK5621316537

 

Photo's courtesy of Sue Templeman

 

The Old Lock-up - then and now

The old lock up was built on the village green in the early 1800s as the village gaol, and later housed Quorn’s fire engine. By the 1920s it had fallen into disuse, but after much local debate was converted into a public convenience and was used as such until the 1960s when the new toilets were built. The older of the two photographs was only taken in the early 1990s, after the building had been leased to the Gas Board, but had again been found surplus to requirements.

These photographs are interesting, not only for the changes to the lock-up, but also to see what has happened in the background. In the early photograph, all the buildings at the back were owned by Wright’s factory. This particular part of the factory area has since been sold and developed as housing. The distinctive mill chimney on the left was taken down in late 1990s. Before the main mill building (on the right) was converted to apartments, it was reduced by one storey. This seems difficult to believe looking at it today, but is very clear when the photographs are compared.

The old lock up is owned by Townlands Charity, leased to Quorn Parish Council and since the 1990s has been used for a take-away pizza business. In 2010 this grade II listed building was restored as part of the Stafford Orchard park refurbishment scheme.

 

I am grateful to Sue Templeman of Quorn Village Museum for allowing me to copy these photographs and information.

www.quornmuseum.com

 

 

 

It was Grade 11 listed 12.10.1984 (No.494857) and described as :

 

 Lock up and fire engine house, now used by EM as store, early C19. Whitewashed brick with plinth, angle pilaster strips, moulded brick eaves and Welsh slate hipped roof. One storey. Small central projecting section with door and a small barred 1 light on either of its sides. A further small barred window either side. On left side carriage doors, door and similar window. On right side a door and 2 blocked windows. Further small window to rear .

 Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

 

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There are two round towers at Swithland which were originally corner towers in the walls of Old Swithland Hall. Both are said to have been converted into use as lock-ups.

The first one is situated in the garden of 173 Main Street, LE12 8TQ and it dates to the 18th century.

SWITHLAND

Photo by Alan Simkins on Geograph

OS Grid Reference: SK5526412968
OS Grid Coordinates: 455264, 312968
Latitude/Longitude: 52.7116, -1.1834

© Copyright Alan Simkins and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

It was Grade 11 listed 1.6.1966 (No.189125) and described as :

 Gazebo or lock-up probably of C18. Granite and slate rubble stone with pointed
Swithland slate roof. Small circular tower of 2 storeys. Door with slate lintel
and brick surround in base and door, small 1-light openings and tiny
slits above. Generally said locally to be a lock-up, but as there is a
pair at opposite ends of site of Old Swithland Hall, it is more likely that they
are folly boundary towers or gazebos .
Listing NGR: SK5526412968

 Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

The second one is situated at the corner of Hall Farm, Main Street, LE12 8TJ
and also dates to the 18th century.

SWITHLAND

OS Grid Reference: SK5570912827
OS Grid Coordinates: 455709, 312827
Latitude/Longitude: 52.7103, -1.1768

Photo by Jeff Tomlinson on Geograph

© Copyright Jeff Tomlinson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence


It was Grade 11 listed 1.6.1966 (No.189126) and described as :
 

 Gazebo, or lock-up, and walls probably of C18, with C19 outhouse.

Gazebo of granite and slate rubble stone with pointed Swithland slate roof. Small
circular tower of 2 storeys. Door in base and door, small 1-light openings
and tiny slits above. Generally said locally to be a lock-up but as there
is a pair at opposite ends of site of Old Swithland Hall, it is more likely
that they are folly boundary towers or gazebos. 2 granite and slate rubble
stone walls c3m high extend from gazebo at right angles to each other to
stable (listed separately) and barn of 1750 (listed separately) .
Listing NGR: SK5570912827
 

 Source: English Heritage
Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.


I am grateful to Alan Simkins and Jeff Tomlinson for the use of their Geograph photographs.

 

  

 

 

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