Tolhouse Gaol

16/04/2026

The Tolhouse Gaol is still closed, we will keep you updated about opening this year.
In the meantime our other two museums in Great Yarmouth are both open
Elizabethan House Museum a few mins walk away open 10am-4pm Sunday-Friday (closed Saturdays)
Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life 10am-4.30pm daily including fab new exhibition!

Have you been to see our new exhibition yet?
Pirates! Fact & Fiction from Pop-Up Exhibitions takes visitors on a journey through pirate history, film and literature. Travel from the Cilician pirates of the Roman Mediterranean to the legendary Golden Age pirates of the Caribbean, meeting Vikings, Barbary corsairs and Chinese pirates along the way.
Discover fascinating facts about pirate ships, daring tactics and the often short and dangerous lives of those who lived outside the law. Explore how real events inspired some of our best-loved pirate stories and screen adventures.
Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life is open 10am-4.30pm daily with The Vault coffee shop open 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays).

06/03/2026

**Important Update**
Due to unforeseen building works, the Tolhouse Gaol will now not be open for the Easter and May half term holidays.
We will update later in the year when we are able to confirm definite opening dates for 2026.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Our other museums in Great Yarmouth will both be open as planned - see their pages for full details
Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life
Elizabethan House Museum

20/02/2026

Updated -

Potential Opening dates will be -

Sunday 19 July – Wednesday 2 September
(closed Saturdays 25 July, 1,8,15,22,29 August)
Friday 23- Saturday 31 October (open Saturdays 24 & 31 October)

Opening hours are 10am-4pm on all dates above.

Admission prices for new season -
Adult £5.60
Child £4.80
Twilight ticket (1 hour before close) £1.50

We look forward to welcoming visitors back for the 2026 season.

06/02/2026

Just over 7 weeks now until we open again for the 2026 season.
There is lots going on behind the scenes to get the Tolhouse Gaol ready for opening.

Opening dates will be -
Sunday 29 March – Monday 13 April (closed Saturdays 4 & 11 April)
Sunday 3 & Monday 4 May – Bank Holiday weekend
Sunday 24 – Sunday 31 May (closed Saturday 30 May)
Sunday 19 July – Wednesday 2 September
(closed Saturdays 25 July, 1,8,15,22,29 August)
Friday 23- Saturday 31 October (open Saturdays 24 & 31 October)

Admission prices for new season - tbc

16/12/2025

We may not be open at the moment - however nearby Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life is open all year round.
Give the page a follow to see full details of opening hours over the festive period.
Click on the post below for more details about gift vouchers for Norfolk Museums Service - would make a great festive present - a whole year of entry to 10 great museums across the county.
😀🎅🎄🌲🎁

03/11/2025

Tolhouse Gaol is now closed for winter - reopening Easter 2026 - dates tbc
Thank you to everyone that has visited during the year - we hope you enjoyed your visit.
In the meantime - nearby Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life is open all year round - see the page for full details.
See you in 2026!

01/11/2025

Have you watched the documentary yet?

📺'The Castle', by is available - for an extended period - to watch on

The feature-length film tells the story of the Royal Palace Reborn project, made possible thanks to the players of the National Lottery via a £13m grant from and with support from

Narrated by Sir Stephen Fry, the documentary charts the ups and downs of the project over 8 years, leading up to our opening this summer.

31/10/2025

There is just one more day left to visit Tolhouse Gaol this year!
Saturday 1 November - closed
Sunday 2 November - open 10am-4pm

The gaol will then be closed until Easter 2026.

29/10/2025

Good news!
Tolhouse Gaol is open again today - open as below

Wednesday 29 - Friday 31 October - 10am-4pm daily
Saturday 1 November - closed
Sunday 2 November - open 10am-4pm
Monday 3 November onwards - closed until Easter 2026.

Don't miss your last chance to visit this year!

28/10/2025

**Tuesday 28 October**
Due to circumstances beyond our control - we have had to close Tolhouse Gaol for the rest of today.
Further update will be posted as soon as we know about opening for rest of the week.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
In the meantime - both Elizabethan House Museum & Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life are both open as usual.