The Guildhall

The Guildhall is a gem not be missed. It is open to the public between April and October on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Various exhibitions take place in the Court Room throughout the year. Entrance to the building is gained by a door on the left situated under a passageway to the right of the Buttermarket in Wilmore Street. The Court Room and Council Chamber are accessed via a set of stairs. Visitors to the Guildhall are able to use toilet facilities. The first room you enter was an active Court Room until 1985. It was built in 1540 after the dissolution of the Priory. Four types of court were held regularly: Petty Sessions and Quarter Sessions, a Bailiff’s Court and the Court Leet or Manorial Court. Bailiffs were elected from and by the burgesses. You can see the lists of the Bailiffs on the wall. In 1835 the role of Bailiff was abolished and replaced by that of Mayor.