The Tolhouse Gaol
With a National Art Pass you get
Explore the history of crime and punishment in Great Yarmouth at Tolhouse Gaol a 12th-century jail and courthouse turned museum.
Uncover the stories of convicted thieves, smugglers, witches, pirates and murderers whose fates were sealed inside the walls of this coastal gaol, from complete relocation to prisons elsewhere to execution.
The 800-year-old stone building was originally a medieval merchant’s house before it became associated with the law – since then it has been used as a courtroom, town gaol, police station, and since the 1880s, a museum. Alongside Great Yarmouth’s long history in law enforcement, the museum also explores the turbulent history of the building itself, which has been both attacked by rebels and gutted by bombs.
Visitor information
Address
Tolhouse Street, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 2SH
01493 858900
Opening times
We are open Sundays to Fridays from April to October each year during school holidays only. Our opening hours are 10am-4pm.
- Thursday 28th March - Sunday 14th April (closed Saturday 13th April)
- Sunday 6th May to Monday 7th May - Bank Holiday Weekend
- Sunday 26th May to Sunday 2nd June (closed Saturday 1st June)
- Sunday 21st July to Tuesday 3rd September (closed Saturdays)
- Friday 25th October to Sunday 3rd November (closed Saturday)
Exclusions and safety measures
Each admission slot covers a 2 hour period starting from the time stated on your ticket, and you are welcome to arrive at any time during your time slot. Please note that this entry is not unique to you - each entry slot can accommodate multiple ticket holders.
To help ensure the safety of our visitors and staff please do not visit the museum if you have symptoms of Coronavirus.
Visitor information
Museums nearby
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.