Gazetteer of
British Place Names

The Shire Hall is an 18th-century civic building in Dorchester, Dorset. The original shire hall was a structure which dated back to at least 1630. The new building was designed by Thomas Hardwick and constructed between 1796-1797. Shire Hall was originally used as a facility for dispensing justice. The trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs took place here in 1834. Thomas Hardy, who was a Justice of the Peace from 1884-1919, sat in the court on around forty occasions. Dorset County Council met here from 1889-1955. The hall is within the council area of Dorset.
Historic England Grade I Listed 1119069.

Place Type: Historic Civic Building
Historic County: Dorset
Lat, Long: 50.715426,-2.4390278
Grid Reference: SY 6910 9073
Civil Parish: Dorchester CP
Council Area: Dorset CA
Police Area: Dorset PA

GBPN ID: 319458
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Shire_Hall,_Dorset_319458

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