The Cage, Shenley, Hertfordshire - Retired Prisons on Waymarking.com

Situated by the village pond is the Cage or ‘lock-up’, a domed-shaped building bearing the inscription ‘Do well. Fear Not. Be sober. Be Vigilant’. The building served as a temporary prison for those accused of offences, until the local constable took them to be charged before the magistrates at Barnet or St Albans Court.

The Cage is thought to date from the 18th century, and is one of the last remaining roundhouse gaols in England.

It is thought that Patrick Connolly, who killed James Grainge - Special Constable & Shenley Shoemaker - in 1823, was held here under guard overnight before being taken to Hertford Gaol. This killing was the first killing of a policeman in Hertfordshire.

The Cage fell into gradual disuse when gaols were built in Barnet and St. Albans. It was used once during the 1914-18 war to confine an army deserter and then again during World War II as an Air Raid Precautions post - complete with telephone.

The Cage has undergone several restorations, most recently in the 1990's.

Information sourced from :-

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Open to the public: No Address: Not listed Hours: Not listed Fees?: Not listed Web link: Not listed

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Date Logged Log   07/23/2010 The Mekon visited it