Shire Hall situated on Mount Folly in the centre of town was built in 1837-38 at the very start of Queen Victoria’s reign, to house the Assize Courts. It hosted many famous trials in its time including that of Matthew Weeks who in 1844, was convicted of the murder of Charlotte Dymond at Rough Tor on Bodmin Moor.

In 1988, the Courts moved to Truro and for the next decade, Shire Hall remained empty and unused until in 1999, it was given a new lease of life. Completely refurbished and restored, it was formally opened by Her Majesty the Queen in June 2000 as part of Bodmin Town’s Millennium Celebrations.

Contained in the building is the spacious new Tourist Information Centre, easily accessible with helpful staff and lots of useful information. The "Courtroom Experience" is a reconstruction of the 1844 Charlotte Dymond murder trial at the end of which, as a member of the Jury, you are invited to cast your vote as to whether you consider Matthew Weeks to be "guilty" or no!

Shire Hall also features a Town and Countryside exhibition in the foyer and you find out a lot about Bodmin town and moor. Upstairs is a gallery space which is used for exhibitions of local arts and crafts at various times throughout the year.

Mount Folly on which Shire Hall and The Public Rooms sit, has been pleasantly landscaped with seating, trees and hanging baskets. It has become a popular meeting place - or somewhere just to relax and watch the world go by.

Further information:

• Location: Multimap directions from Bedknobs