County Hall

County Hall is a municipal building constructed in the Chateau style, dating back to the 20th century. It is built of rock-faced grey Forest of Dean stone, with Portland stone dressings and steep roofs of grey-green slate. The building comprises four ranges, each with a massive, bell-cast roof at the eaves, and the two long sides terminate in full-height curved bays topped with curved pavilion roofs. The basement is treated as a plinth with a deep Portland stone top moulding, and Portland stone is also used for the eaves cornice, a thin string below the frieze, and a moulded cornice under the eaves. Windows are small-paned metal cross-windows, set close to the wall face, occasionally lengthened as French windows opening onto balconies, with stone voussoirs. Basement windows are small casement pairs.

The north and south fronts feature two massive stone chimney stacks with stone bases, Portland stone plinths, curved-fronted tall shafts, and Portland stone sloping caps. The facade is arranged with a 1-13-1 bay arrangement, including French windows to the first floor in the five central bays and also to the large outermost curved bays, all with metal railed balconies. The main entry on the north front is a wide flight of 11 grey stone steps with railings, flanked by massive cubic blocks of similar stone. A broad Portland stone doorcase, featuring two flanking tiny windows within the middle three bays, provides access. The doorcase is carved with 11 relief shields by David Evans, illustrating the county council's operations, including education, health, weights and measures, and car taxation. Double panelled doors with an overlight are set within the doorcase. The door’s outer moulding rises from the plinth, exhibiting an ogee shape with an inner roll-mould and outer step.

The east and west sides present a similar twelve-window range. The plinth steps over large Portland stone doorways in the third bay from each end, leading to double four-panel doors. Above each door is an elongated octagonal light with a tilting metal window.

The interior features functional spaces with terrazzo floors and stairs. Beyond the main doors are double glass doors opening into a lobby with two plaster quadripartite vaults and steps leading to an arch into the main entrance hall. Broad stairs run up each side to an upper landing, providing access to the council chamber and principal rooms. The council chamber is the most significant interior, designed in a modern historicist style. It contains raked horseshoe seating and an ornate ceiling on a deep coving, incorporating Gothic pointed arcading on corbels with painted shields. The ceiling’s center displays bold coloured, large twisted roll moulding around a square of deep-set diagonal square panels. A curved gallery overlooks the entrance, with plastered front and minimal curve-and-dart moulding. Dado panelling with turned balusters is situated in front of radiators. Four fine wrought iron hanging lights are present; each consists of two scrolled circles with lamp brackets. Parts of the original gaol cells are said to survive, and are now used as archive store-rooms.