An estimated 50,000 people used to watch Public Executions taking place at this Gaol on Cumberland Road. I have read that the scaffold would be raised above and sometimes in front of the main gates that still stand on the side of the road by Gaol Ferry Bridge. I used to play their when I was a child in the 1950s..Spooky! Spooky! Can anyone doubt that some of these people were innocent or like the poor perisher (mentioned below) were mentally ill?

Hello, In response to the above Mrs W2009, If you Google .. Bristol knowyourplace. you will fetch up on a really impressive and useful site for people such as ourselves who are interested in old Bristol. I absolutely love it and keep it on my favorites bar. If you use the 2010 map then zoom in to the Gaol area and then click on to the older maps, they will stay on the area that you originally zoomed onto. You will then be able to see just how sparsely built up Coronation Rd was back in the sad days of these executions and it follows that there would be an awful lot more room for Spectators. This site is of enormous value as you can zoom in to lots and lots of places all over this old City of ours and then click back through the Centuries, absolutely fascinating! Best of luck, Ted.