The Priory

The Priory is a former prison and sessions house located in Kirton in Lindsey, built between 1791 and 1794 for the Magistrates for the Division of Lindsey. The building is constructed of dressed limestone with tooled ashlar dressings and features a slate roof. It has a classical style frontage and is T-shaped in plan, with a central entrance block that is three bays square and truncated two-bay wings at the rear. The central block is two storeys tall with a basement and has a symmetrical design. It features a stepped plinth and raised quoins. There are 20th-century steps leading to a recessed part-glazed door set in a round-arched entrance with a raised surround and keystone. To the left of the entrance is a basement sash window with glazing bars, while a window to the right has been blocked. The building has 12-pane sashes in raised surrounds with stone cills and a boldly moulded cornice. The roof is hipped with an axial stack. The rear wings, built with similar materials, each contain a window with heavy wrought-iron grilles in ashlar surrounds. Inside, the right wing features heavy studded oak prison doors. Kirton Bridewell was largely demolished in the late 19th century, with materials repurposed in other buildings in the town, notably the Town Hall. The surviving central block originally housed the Gaoler's apartments and Magistrates' rooms, while the left and right wings contained the male and female sections, with service rooms on the ground floor and cells above.