Shire Hall

Shire Hall is a substantial building of approximately 1834-5, with subsequent alterations around 1895 and 1995. Designed by Charles Day, the County Surveyor, and Henry Rowe of Worcester, it stands on Foregate Street in Worcester. The main structure is built of ashlar over brick, with stucco imitation ashlar on the additions, and has a concealed roof. It’s constructed in the Greek Revival style with a single tall storey and three main bays, accompanied by single-storey, single-bay outer ranges.

The central block projects, featuring a four-step approach to a hexastyle portico with giant fluted Ionic columns and Doric pilasters supporting a dentil entablature topped with a pediment. The outer bays have giant Doric pilasters on a continuous plinth, also incorporating a continuous entablature and coped parapet. The main entrance features tall, panelled double doors and a divided overlight within a tooled entablature. Stained glass windows, set within tooled surrounds, are found on the returns of the centre block and end bays, accompanied by cornices and a continuous sill band. A secondary entrance on the left return includes double four-panel doors with sidelights and a divided overlight.

The interior boasts a grand, full-height great hall extending through two storeys. The lower portion is oak-panelled with a decorative cornice above. Double, panelled doors with blind lunettes provide access to the courts, with Art Nouveau masks representing Justice adorning those doors. A gallery at the rear is supported by console brackets with cast-iron balusters. The barrel-vaulted ceiling is coffered, and the lateral windows contain stained glass depicting coats of arms within architraves featuring Doric pilasters and shallow central pediments. A staircase has a narrow well and cast-iron balusters with a wreathed oak handrail. Court One remains largely original, featuring panelling with flush beading to the lower stage, a three-sided gallery with ornate cast-iron balusters, and a blind arcade of Doric pilasters to the rear wall. The judges’ bench is distinguished by a canopy supported on scrolled corbels, and original benches are also present.

The construction of Shire Hall arose in the early 19th century due to the inadequacy of the Guildhall for county business, particularly the County Court Assizes. An Act of Parliament facilitated the purchase of land on Foregate Street, enabling the construction of the Shire Hall and associated Judges' Lodgings at a cost of £32,000. Nikolaus Pevsner described the building as an “impeccable Grecian design, in the Smirke taste, of fine ashlar stone... with... excellent Schinkelish detail."

The building is adjacent to Judges' Lodgings and Sansome Walk.