Old City Gaol, Entrance Wall And Gateway

The Old City Gaol entrance wall and gateway, built in 1832 by HH Seward and RS Pope, is located on Cumberland Road in Bristol. Constructed from Carboniferous limestone ashlar to head height and Pennant ashlar above, the structure features windowless square towers that flank a recessed bay. This bay contains a large semicircular-arched gateway, complete with a portcullis and iron-clad doors, as well as semicircular-arched blind windows on either side. Above the gateway, there is a wide rectangular recess and a thin string course. The entrance was originally designed by HH Seward, a pupil of Sir John Soane, in 1816 and was restored by RS Pope, the city surveyor, following the riots of 1831. The City Gaol itself was closed in 1883.