Why go

Crumlin Road Gaol is Northern Ireland’s only surviving Victorian-era prison and one of Belfast’s most visited attractions. More than 25,000 prisoners passed through its gates, from men, women and children in the Victorian era to political prisoners during the Troubles, until it closed in 1996. The self-guided visit uses audio, video and holograms in the cells to tell the story of prison life, public executions and the city’s divisions, and it gives a sober, well-told introduction to Belfast’s recent past.

What to see

  • The underground tunnel. The tunnel linking the Gaol to the Courthouse.
  • The holding cells and the Gaol Circle. Where prisoners were first held, and the centre of the prison.
  • C-Wing. A prison block where projections, audio and video in the cells bring daily life inside to life.
  • The condemned cell and hangman’s cell. The most sobering part of the visit, telling the story of executions at the Gaol.
  • The Gaol graveyard, the Sanger / Matron’s House and a Wessex helicopter on display.

Plan your visit

The Gaol is open seven days a week. On weekdays the first admission is at 10.30am and the last at 3.30pm; at weekends the first is at 10am and the last at 4pm. The site closes at about 5pm. The visit takes 60 to 90 minutes. You can buy tickets on the day, but booking ahead is advised, and you should arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your entry time.

Much of the route is in old stone wings and outside, so warm clothing and flat shoes are recommended. Audio guides are available in French, German, Mandarin and Spanish, and British Sign Language video guides are free for visitors who need them; you will be asked for card details on arrival for either. The main entrance is through the Gate House on Crumlin Road.

Tickets

Online prices apply when you book a day or more before your visit: £17.50 for adults, £10.50 for children aged 5 to 15, £15.50 for senior citizens over 60 and students, and £49 for a family of two adults and two children. At the door the same tickets cost £18.50, £12, £17 and £55. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. Groups of 15 or more should contact the Gaol directly.

The Gaol’s own guidance is to allow 60 to 90 minutes, and with The Yard Café on site it is easy to stop for lunch before or after your visit.

Getting there

The Gaol is 1.7km from the city centre on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast. Metro services 57 and 12B stop outside it from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, take the 12A to Carlisle Circus, a short walk away. Drivers should use the Summer Street entrance for the on-site car and coach park.

Also at the Gaol

The Gaol is also a concert, events and wedding venue, with a café and gift shop and the Cuffs bar and grill on site. It also runs events such as paranormal tours and live music nights.

Nearby

The Gaol is in north Belfast, close to the Shankill area, so it pairs naturally with a visit to the murals and the Peace Wall in west Belfast.