Trent & Peak Archaeology / The University of Nottingham

The Shire Hall Nottingham It has been suggested that Sheriffs were based on the site of the Shire Hall from around 1125.  1375 First written record of a court on the site. 1449 The site is recorded as being used asa prison 1770 The Shire Hall was rebuilt.  A picture of the old Shire Hall c.1750 depicts a rather decrepit building.  The new building is the building we see today. 1800s An overhall of the prison system during the Victorian period led to the closure of Nottingham County Gaol due to its appaling conditions.  The gaol remained closed from 1878 - 1995 The Shire Hall continued to house criminal and civil courts until 1985 when the new Crown Court was built near the canal. 1847 A Police Station was added to the Shire Hall, updated in 1907 and closed in 1986.   1995 The Galleries of Justice Museum opened. Read more about the Shire Hall Caves here Shire Hall Caves   - cave system HC13