The Female Prison (The Castle Museum), Tower Street

About The Female Prison (The Castle Museum), Tower Street

All executions in the city were conducted after 1801 at the Georgian-built prison, constructed on the site of York Castle.

At the beginning of the 19^th century, 225 crimes were punishable by death in Britain, yet the numbers executed in York were small, just 153 men and seven women. 

Criminals from every corner of Yorkshire were hanged in York until the early 1860’s, with executions held on Saturdays from 1830 to 1862, allowing for the biggest audience.

From the mid-1820’s, new gallows incorporating a proper drop were used, located in the angle between the court building and castle wall.

Between 1868, when public hangings were abolished, and 1896, executions were instead held at the north end of the Female prison.

The balcony-style gallows were known as ‘The Drop,’ and the doors leading on to the platform are still visible today.