County Hall, Preston

County Hall on Fishergate houses Lancashire County Council administration, council chambers, and constabulary facilities. The building displays seven asymmetrical facade bays decorated with Queen Anne revival architectural details.

The building opened on September 14, 1882, replacing earlier county court operations that had been housed in Sessions House on Stanley Street. This shift reflected growing administrative needs of the Lancashire region during the late Victorian period.

The interior holds a memorial from 1921 honoring staff members who died in World War I, including Isobel Addey Tate. This quiet tribute reflects how the building serves as a space for remembering those connected to local government.

The building operates during standard administrative hours on weekdays, though some areas are restricted to staff only. Check in advance to see which sections are open to visitors and how to access them.

In 2011 hundreds of staff moved here from scattered locations as part of a consolidation to reduce costs and streamline operations. This merger transformed the building into a central workplace hub for numerous county administration departments.

GPS coordinates: 53.75700,-2.70930

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:07