Sessions House

Sessions House is a neoclassical courthouse in Knutsford featuring a symmetrical front facade, five bays, and a portico supported by four Ionic columns. The building contains two main courtrooms and functioned as a judicial venue until 2010, when court proceedings relocated to Chester and Warrington.

The building was completed in 1818 by architect George Moneypenny, replacing an earlier courthouse from 1575 located in the Market Place. This new structure reflected 19th-century reforms in judicial architecture and local governance.

The Sessions House gained additional recognition as the location of Alan Turing's 1952 trial, marking a significant moment in British social history.

Visiting requires advance notice since the building no longer operates as an active courthouse. It is advisable to contact local authorities in Knutsford to confirm access and any visiting arrangements.

A prison designed by the same architect stood behind the courthouse and held around 700 inmates before its demolition in 1934. This direct connection between court and jail was common in 19th-century judicial complexes.

Location: Knutsford

Inception: 1815

GPS coordinates: 53.30230,-2.37424

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:07