Shire Hall, Victorian courthouse in Bodmin, England
Shire Hall is a courthouse in Bodmin built between 1837 and 1838 that exemplifies Victorian judicial architecture. The granite building features a classical facade with three rounded arches, with two full courtrooms, an entrance hall, and basement chambers contained within.
Built in 1837-1838, it replaced Launceston's judicial role after that town had served as Cornwall's main court center for over 600 years. This shift represented a major reorganization of the county's legal administration.
The building reveals the rigid social order of 19th century justice through its separated spaces for judges, juries, and defendants. The preserved interiors show how the legal system functioned and how ordinary people experienced court proceedings.
The building operates as a heritage center where visitors can view the restored courtrooms and explore exhibits about Cornwall's legal history. Check opening times before visiting, as the building's uses may vary.
The building still contains judges' benches, jury boxes, and cell chambers from the 1800s arranged exactly as they were. These original features let visitors understand how court operations actually worked and the physical distance between different participants.
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