Listed Building record MDO12775 - Town Hall, High Street, Shaftesbury
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Summary
Building of two storeys to the north side and three on the south, to accommodate fall of hillslope. Of stone ashlar, with a slate roof. Dated 1826 (Salisbury Journal, 5 Aug.) A clock tower and probably also the north porch were added 1879. The Town Hall is said to have been built on the site of the medieval bull ring, stocks and whipping post.
The record for this monument has been enhanced with support from Wessex Water.
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
On the site of the existing Guildhall was the ancient Bull Ring, stocks and whipping post. (The present Town Hall now occupies the site of Gold Hill Cross and Hutchin's illustration depicts the stocks immediately at the foot of the cross). <2>
The ancient-bull-ring, stocks and whipping post were near Gold Hill Cross. Willis in his map depicts what appears to be a circular wall at ST 86252296, some 30m. To the NW and it is possible that this is the building, although both Hutchins and Pope seem to indicate that the bull-ring, stocks, whipping-post and Gold Hill Cross all occupied the same site. <2>
The site is covered by the Town Hall, and no visible traces remain. There is also evidence of antiquity at the site possibly indicated by Willis's map. <4>
Town Hall, built 1827 with tower of 1879 rebuilt 1923. <5>
Sources/Archives (7)
- <1> SWX3207 Monograph: Shipp, W (ed). 1868. The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 3. Vol 3, 3rd Ed.
- <2> SWX1408 Bibliographic reference: Pope, A. 1906. Old Stone Crosses of Dorset.
- <3> SDO10373 Map: Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey 25-inch map. 1929.
- <4> SDO18341 Unpublished document: Edwards, D W. Field Investigator's Comments DE. F1 DE 26-JAN-56.
- <5> SDO18623 Scheduling record: DOE (HHR). 1973. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: North Dorset District. 38.
- <6> SDO99 Monograph: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 1972. An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume IV (North). 66.
- <7> SDO14739 Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 206450.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ST 86268 22934 (20m by 17m) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ST82SE |
| Civil Parish | Shaftesbury; Dorset |
| Unitary Authority | Dorset |
Protected Status/Designation
Other Statuses/References
- Legacy UID: Dorset Sites and Monuments Record: 2 045 007
- Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: ST 82 SE 22
- Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 206450
- Royal Commission Inventory Reference: Shaftesbury 7
Record last edited
Oct 3 2022 1:55PM
