County Hall, Town hall in Derby, England
County Hall is a town hall in Derby with a symmetrical main facade featuring five bays and three round-headed windows, plus separate judge entrances on St Mary's Gate. The building includes an adjoining section on the east side that once housed judge's quarters.
The building was completed in 1660 by architect George Eaton of Etwall. It later served as headquarters for Derbyshire County Council from 1889 until 1955.
The courtroom inside appears in George Eliot's 1859 novel Adam Bede as the setting for a trial scene. This literary connection makes the building meaningful to readers of this classic work.
The building is a protected monument, so any major repairs or changes follow strict guidelines. Visitors should know that while the exterior is carefully preserved, interior access is not always available to the public.
In the early 1800s, an entire east wing with seven additional bays was added to provide quarters for judges. This expansion section, designed by architect John Welch, is less noticed but becomes obvious when viewing the side of the building.
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