Set amidst rolling green hills in the historic market town of Ruthin is the only Pentonville-style prison now open to the public in the UK. Its high walls, clean lines and superior ventilation system epitomise the style of Pentonville - but its dark cells and harsh regimes in Victorian times were far from grand....

There has been a prison on the Ruthin Gaol site since the seventeenth century. It is one of the most impressive buildings in North Wales and now offers a fascinating insight into the lives of Victorian prisoners. Visitors can spend time exploring its nooks and crannies and learn about life in the Victorian prison system. See how the prisoners went about their daily routines: what they ate, how they worked, and the punishments they suffered. Imagine the loneliness of an existence where prisoners were forbidden to speak to one another. Explore the cells including the punishment, 'dark' and condemned cell, experience the 'smells' and listen to the stories of the Welsh Houdini and of William Hughes, the last man to be hanged there...

You can use the documents below to learn more about the history and development of Ruthin Gaol, read about the people who worked there or the stories and lives behind prisoners of the time. Of course for the full experience, a visit is a must!