Blind houses are miniature lockups employed for the short term
detention of miscreants. Although most could barely accommodate one
person, often several detainees were locked up, possibly with a
guard. There are over a hundred in England and have several names
including round house, lockup or clink. They provided a place for
the local constable to put drunks, vagrants, brawlers and
disreputable women as well as those more serious offenders in
transit to the county assizes. Windows are always absent, hence the
name with light and ventilation coming only from tiny grilles. Most
were free-standing, constructed of stone with heavy wooden nailed
doors. Most Wiltshire blind houses date from the 18th century
although there are couple older. More information can be found in
Mary Delorme's excellent book, Curious Wiltshire.
This lock up has changed beyond all recognition, I had to
consult the Amesbury oracle (Thanks Colin) as to the location. It's
now an estate agents (Any comments about miscreants and
ne'erdowells still being in residence much appreciated) and the
only remnants are two blocks, one in each cell, fixed to the floor,
to which prisoners were chained.
This is a busy area so stealth is paramount, lots of cars so
keep an eye on the kiddies. Cache location may be a bit of a
stretch for wheelchair users.
The north Wiltshire half of this series is owned by Hamfist and
can be found at the following waypoints:
The list will be updated as more are added.
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Lacock GC1MRDF
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Bradford on Avon GC1MP4M
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Luckington GC1N2QP
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Malmesbury GCN2RK
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Castle Combe TBA