SHIRE HALL MUSEUM

This grade I listed building was originally designed by Thomas Hardwick and opened in 1797 until 1955 as a courthouse. The eerie courtroom and dark cells remain well preserved and depict the many tales of crime and punishment from within them. With a lengthy time spent as a courthouse, many of those who passed through saw death sentences handed out from the dock where justice was served - rightly or wrongly!

The courthouse has seen many people tried and tested here, some of which are more famous than others, such as the 1834 trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs that began the Trade Union movement, the infamous Dorset smugglers and the 1856 domestic abuse case that inspired Thomas Hardy to write ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’.

The Tolpuddle Martyrs trial inspired the development of the Trade Union and developments in employment law, but it has also had an impact on the building itself. In 1956, the Trades Union Congress took over the building after its recognition in the Tolpuddle Martyrs trial. In 1968, the Union handed the building back to the council in agreement that the courtroom would be open to public inspection and continues to tell past stories of people and a justice system that has impacted us all today.

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Not all stories within the walls of Shire Hall Museum are so well known. Some are worth finding out for yourself! There have been many tales of paranormal experiences and the building is thought to be very active - making it a must for anyone keen to experience the paranormal. Our own previous investigations have not disappointed!