County Hall, Town hall on South Bank, London, United Kingdom.
County Hall is a six-storey administrative and commercial building on the south side of the Thames facing Parliament, built from pale limestone quarried in Portland. The sweeping façade with columns and arched windows runs along the riverside promenade and dominates this stretch of the waterfront.
Ralph Knott won a competition for the design in 1908 and laid the foundation for a new administrative centre, which was not completed until 1933. After the council's dissolution in 1986, the rooms were gradually converted into leisure facilities and hotels.
The name refers to its original function as headquarters for the entire county of London, which stretched across both river banks. Visitors notice the classical columns and arched entrances in the foyer, typical of public buildings from that period.
Access is through several entrances along the riverside promenade, all of which are level and accessible. Those planning a quick walk-through will find information boards in the central hall showing the different areas and their opening times.
The original council chambers inside are now available for private events and retain their historical wood panelling. Some corridors still show the old office nameplates, although these rooms have long since taken on different functions.
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