The prison and yard were built in 1780–83 at a cost of £1,540 and to a design by Thomas Wilkinson and John Prince.

[4] On 27 September 2023 the Female Prison part of the museum was closed to the public as a precaution, following the discovery of RAAC in its roof.

[5] The castle area became the regular place of executions in York in the early 1800s, replacing the Tyburn on the Knavesmire.

[2] The new gallows were completed on 8 March 1801 at a cost of £10 and 15 shillings and were first used for the execution of a cattle thief, Samuel Lundy, on 11 April 1801.

[6] A 1998 archaeological excavation immediately to the north of the Female prison located five graves, thought to date between 1802 and 1826.