Skip to content

Grade II lock-up restored for future generations

Alex PopeBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire
News imageDavid Brough A stone-built round house with a domed roof. There is a small opening in a square window shape just beneath the roof. The structure has been cleaned and is positioned in a village green, with a large tree behind it and some residential housing. David Brough
Renovation work on the 200-year-old structure started in late 2025

A £30,000 restoration project has been completed to ensure a Grade II listed village lock-up "remains standing for generations", a parish council clerk said.

The structure on The Green in Harrold, Bedfordshire, was built in 1825 and was used as a temporary imprisonment for offenders until they were sent to the nearby magistrate the next day.

Restoration work started in late 2025 to rebuild the stonework, replace its oak lintel, repoint the roof and limestone walls and repair the timber door and internal lime plaster.

Harold Parish Council has been using the lock-up for storage, but now has plans to open it to visitors.

News imageBedfordshire Archives A black and white image of Harrold, showing the Lockup, in front of two houses, that are all made out of brick. A policeman, is standing by a door, wearing a helmet, jacket and trousers with a child next to him, wearing a white dress and hat, another man is standing to the right, wearing trousers, a jacket, waistcoat, hat and has his arms on his lapel. Bedfordshire Archives
The Lockup in about 1900 with a policeman, a child and a "vagrant" outside it, Bedfordshire Archives said

David Brough, the parish council's clerk, said funding came from the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), other grants and parish council funds.

Brough said the money helped it undertake "careful repairs to ensure this unique building remains standing for generations".

"What began as a re-rendering project has developed into essential structural repairs above the door lintel," he added.

He said scaffolding had only recently been removed as the "works involved traditional lime mortar, which needs time and stable conditions to cure properly".

"The protective covering allowed the repairs to set correctly over the winter, avoiding damage from heavy rain or frost and ensuring a durable finish," he added.

News imageJeff Tomlinson/Geograph David Brough A stone-built round house with a domed roof and small black door. The structure, to the left, looks worn, with the stonework yellowing and the roof's stonework a dark colour. Behind the structure is a red-brick house. The image on the right shows the same structure but the stonework looks clean and restored and sunlight is hitting the domed roof. There is a red-brick house behind the structure with large windows. Jeff Tomlinson/Geograph David Brough
The lock-up before and after it was restored

The works were carried out by Herringbone Restoration, which was overseen by Priory Heritage Ltd to ensure compliance with Historic England's requirements.

"The parish council is pleased to see this very important local heritage asset properly conserved for the future and is grateful to the government UKSPF fund and councillor Alison Foster for their generous funding, and to Historic England for their support on the project," Brough added.

News imageDavid Brough A close up of a stone-built round house with a small black door. The stonework on the bottom has been cleaned and restored and looks in good condition. The stonework on the roof is dark in colour and has greenery growing between the bricks. David Brough
The stone building had its stonework rebuilt and the oak lintel above the doorway was also replaced

Bedfordshire Archives said by 1892 the lock-up was used for storing lamp and oil.

The last known incarceration was in 1967 "when a local character won a bet by remaining inside for 48 hours", it added.

News imageDavid Brough A close up of a metal-barred opening of the stone structure. The bars are rusty brown. David Brough
The building has been used as a store for several years as it no longer incarcerates people

The full work included rebuilding the stonework above the doorway, replacing the decayed oak lintel, raking out and repointing the limestone walls and roof using traditional lime mortar, repairing the timber door and internal lime plaster finished with limewash and the replacements of minor stone and quoin, using matching local stone.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

You might also be interested in
Related internet links