Shire Hall And Adjoining County Gaol

Shire Hall and adjoining County Gaol, now disused, with attached steps and railings.

This Neo-Classical building was designed in 1769-70 by James Gandon and built in 1770-72 by Joseph Pickford of Derby. The eastern addition dates to 1875-76, designed by W Bliss Sanders. Following a fire, the building was remodelled and extended to the west between 1876-79 by TC Hine. The eastern extension and later western works adopt Italian Renaissance styling. Beneath and at the rear lie extensive rock-hewn caves and cells from the 18th century and earlier periods, along with various 19th-century brick additions including retaining walls to the cliff.

The building is constructed in ashlar with ashlar dressings and slate roofs with skylights.

The largely original central block features a deep dentillated cornice and pierced balustrade. It comprises 2 storeys across a 7 window range. A projecting central section of 3 bays is divided by giant Ionic half-columns. The central round-arched doorway has a keystone and panelled double doors, flanked by 19th-century round-arched cross casements. Above stands a rectangular blank panel flanked by roundels, all with moulded surrounds. The frieze is decorated with Roman symbols of justice. Above the cornice sits a panelled parapet containing an inscribed datestone. Beyond, on each side, are 2 round-arched doorways with pediments on brackets, panelled doors and fanlights, with 2 rectangular blank panels above. Three parallel flights of steps run across the front.

The 1875-76 left-hand addition features a rusticated basement, sill bands, string course, moulded cornice and pierced balustrade. It has 2 storeys plus basement and spans 3 windows. The projecting central entrance bay is flanked on each floor by paired Ionic columns and topped with a panelled parapet and the City coat of arms. The round-arched doorway contains a keystone with panelled double doors and fanlight. On either side sit round-arched windows, the left one fronted by a balustraded balcony. Beneath the windows are round-arched doorways with mask keystones, and above are 3 blanks with moulded surrounds, the central one round-arched. Steps with short ashlar balustrades with panelled piers lead to the central door, 2 piers topped with cast-iron lamps. Steps down to the basement are flanked by pairs of wrought-iron gates.

A projecting stair turret of 1876 stands to the right, topped with a square lead dome and cast-iron crest. It has a rusticated basement, paired Ionic angle pilasters, dentillated cornice, and pierced balustrade. On each side are round-arched cross mullioned windows under pediments with blank panels above, and pedimented dormers with round-arched cross casements above again. An entrance with wrought-iron gate and overthrow stands to the left.

The interior contains a central entrance hall of 2 storeys with round-arched arcades on 3 sides, featuring round columns with waterleaf capitals. To the east lies the County Court, refitted in 1876, with raised public galleries on 3 sides featuring 2 pairs of Ionic columns in antis between square Ionic piers. Complete wooden fittings of 1876 survive, including dock, jury box, judge's throne, and seating for court officials. To the west is the Civil Court, also of 1876, with 2 storeys and a raised octagonal round-arched arcade with marble columns. Original fittings remain intact, including brass gas lamps. A coffered ceiling with central skylight completes the space.