FAQ's & Visitor Information 

Q: Why are the doorways into the cells so low?  

A: To prevent prisoners from rushing at staff to try and escape.

 

Q: When did Cowbridge lose its railway?  

A: 1951.

 

Q: How did Cowbridge get its name?  

A: The oldest recorded name of the town is the Welsh "Pontyfon" (from "Pont" meaning bridge, and "Mon" meaning cow in old Welsh). Although the modern Welsh name is "Y Bont Faen" (stone bridge), it’s believed that "Cowbridge" could be a translation of the old Welsh name.

 

Q: How many prisoners would be kept in the cells?  

A: Although there were a maximum of 11 cells, records show that in 1793 there were 27 inmates, including: 10 vagrants, 4 ‘illegitimates’, 4 for leaving work, 2 for abandoning their families, 1 for felony, 1 for breach of the peace, 1 for selling ale without a license, and 1 alien.

 

Q: How old are the cells?  

A: The first cells were built around 1580 as part of a Bridewell or House of Correction. By 1751, they were in poor condition and underwent major renovations, though it’s unclear how much of the original structure was retained.

 

Q: Were there any hangings in Cowbridge?  

A: Yes. Between 1768 and 1787, six men were hanged. Most were locals, but the last man, Cornelius Gordon, came from Gower and had murdered his wife. Executions took place on Stalling Down, with bodies later moved to a gibbet, sometimes near the prisoner’s home.

 

Q: What kinds of additional punishments did prisoners receive?  

A: Some were placed in the Town Stocks, last used in 1852 for a man convicted of drunkenness. The original Stocks are in the National Museum of Wales, with a replica made by Parc Prison inmates occasionally on display. Prisoners were also often whipped, though Cowbridge didn’t have a whipping post, so prisoners were sent to Bridgend for this punishment.

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Visitor Information 

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The Museum is open regularly on the first and third Saturdays of each month between 10 am and 4 pm.  

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Occasionally, the Museum opens for special exhibitions or events, which will be advertised on social media and in the local free press.  

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Visits can also be arranged outside of regular hours by contacting a Museum Trustee on 01446 773248.  

Admission is free.  

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The Museum is located on the ground floor.  

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Please note that wheelchair access to the cells is limited due to the size of the doorways.  

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Car parking is available in a large public car park directly behind the Town Hall.  

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Bus stops on routes X2 and are within a short walking distance of the Museum.  

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Guide dogs are, of course, welcome, and other well-behaved dogs are also allowed.  

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Space is available for prams and pushchairs.  

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For visitors with visual impairments, a volunteer is available to assist.  

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For visitors with hearing impairments, there are numerous visual displays, and items in the collection are clearly labelled.

 

As part of the Dementia Friendly Cowbridge initiative, our staff are mindful of the needs of visitors with this condition.