Shire Hall, Gothic revival courthouse in St Paul's Square, Bedford, Great Britain
The Shire Hall features five bays facing St Paul's Square with red terracotta facings, an arched porch, and turrets at roof level.
The building, designed by architect Alfred Waterhouse, replaced an earlier sessions house and served as Bedfordshire County Council headquarters from 1888 to 1969.
The Victorian structure contains an entrance hall with a hammerbeam roof, decorative floor tiles, and two courts with original furniture and galleries.
The Grade II listed building at 3 St Pauls Square maintains its function as Bedford Magistrates Court, continuing its judicial purpose.
In 1910, architects added five extra bays to create a dedicated polygon-shaped council chamber and education offices within the structure.
Location: Bedford
GPS coordinates: 52.13489,-0.46758
Latest update: March 19, 2025 08:31
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