Gloucester Shire Hall

The building was designed by Sir Robert Smirke for Gloucestershire magistrates in the Greek Revival style, built in ashlar stone and was opened in 1816. A courthouse, also designed by Smirke, was built at the rear of the shire hall, and was completed around the same time. Following the implementation of the Local Government Act 1888, which established county councils in every county, the shire hall also became the meeting place of Gloucestershire County Council. It was internally remodelled in 1896 to accommodate a council chamber and offices for the county council. In the 1960s the building was largely demolished and rebuilt, retaining only the 1816 portico and the 1911 flanking wings. An…