Airing Yards
These yards were built in 1843 to provide a secure place where prisoners could be exercised individually in the open air.
Men and women were escorted from their cells by a warder and locked up in a yard for an hour each day.
A bell, to be rung to alert the prison staff in case of escapes, is hung on the wall of the airing yards.
In wet weather prisoners were provided with capes. If conditions were particularly bad, men could be exercised in the gallery on the upper floor of the New Prison.
Exercising prisoners individually took up so much of the Governor’s and Warder's time that it was eventually decided to demolish the airing yards. They were taken down in May 1882 and from then until the prison closed in 1889 prisoners were exercised together in the prison yard.
Supervised by the prison staff, prisoners now had to walk in a circle each man “such a fixed distance from the others as may render secret communication impossible”.
The airing yards were rebuilt in 1991 on their original foundations using the 1843 drawings of Thomas Brown, architect to the General Board of Directors of Prisons in Scotland.
RECENT VERDICTS
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Enjoyed everything. Great having actual live actors.
Steve, Bisham
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Excellent, what else can I say!
Mrs Bell, Minto
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The matron locked me in a cell, but I was cheeky!
Mia, Glasgow
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Really fun!
Fiona Mackie.
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Very well done - especially female prisoner. Would recommend this to anyone!
Lucy, York
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The prison warder was a big hit with the children
Peter, Salford
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Best attraction we've visited in a long time, thank you!
The Harrison Family
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The guides were really good to Jack (aged 9) and to Gran and Grandad.
Allan, Banbury
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Enjoyable day out. Good value for money.
Mr Annison, Derby
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The guides were really good. Well done!
Jackie, Poole
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It was very good. I especially liked trying out the hammock and the whipping table!
Lorna, Brackley
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I thought the guard in the new jail was a dummy, till he moved!
Calum, Sandbank
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Great day out for all age groups!
Marie Irvine.
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A Captivating Experience!
Mr Burns, Dumfries
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Morning well spent.
Mrs Einstein, Haifa
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My boyfriend seemed very amused at being able to lock me up and even whip me........!
Helen, Mirfield.
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