Guildhall, Poole

The Guildhall was built in 1757. Its curved flights of steps were imitated on the facade of the old Custom House, built two decades later.

The upper story was to serve as a council chamber - suitably grand for such a prosperous borough, and able to be used as a courtroom when required - and the twice-weekly meat market was to be held in the open arcades at ground floor level.

Between 1819-1821 the Guildhall was consecrated and used as an "emergency" church, while the old St James church (the only one in the borough) was demolished and the new church completed.

During the 20th century the Guildhall was put to various uses: a canteen and club for American troops in 1944, a town museum, an art college. Since 2007, after extensive renovation works, it has served as Poole's register office for births, marriages and deaths. Civic ceremonies are also held there.


I have removed from the photo the lower half of the unnecessarily tall flagstaff (almost as tall as the building below it).