The Shire Hall Gallery
The Shire Hall Gallery is the largest venue in Staffordshire dedicated to providing access to, and promoting the visual arts and crafts. Situated in a fascinating Grade II listed building formerly used as the Crown Court the Shire Hall Gallery offers visitors a mixture of old and new with something for everyone!
Shire Hall History
Origins and The Elizabethan Hall
The present Shire Hall is at least the third building of its kind in Stafford. Its history dates back to Norman times. As the most important official building in the town in the Middle Ages, the Shire Hall was home to the county court, to the county's Justices of the Peace, and to judges on tour from Westminster.
The town went through periods of prosperity and decline, but at one stage in the 16th century its poor economic situation was attributed to the fact that the judges had moved away to Wolverhampton. This was what Queen Elizabeth I was told when she came here in 1575. The Queen intervened and four years later the judges returned. Ever since, Stafford has remained an important centre for the administration of justice in Staffordshire.
The new Shire Hall Gallery has now become an important visual arts centre for the county. The Great Hall is used to show exhibitions of fine art, craft and photography across the whole spectrum of creative work produced by contemporary artists from many different cultures.
The Court has a range of uses including witness training programmes, film and television and popular courtroom dramatisations by Creative Arts Theatre.
The Shire Hall has a long and fascinating history. If you want to know more about how it functions today, information on services available at the Shire Hall Gallery (including how to hire the building for special events) is available on request.
Multi-Sensory Room
The Gallery has a Multi-Sensory room which allows visitors to experience different light, sound and tactile sensations. The room is available for use free of charge by all of our visitors, and we hope that it will be of particular benefit to visitors of all ages with learning difficulties, physical impairments or children under 5.
Multi-sensory rooms have been shown to enhance sensory development (hearing, sight, taste, smell and touch), increase hand/eye coordination, promote language development and encourage relaxation.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
Opening Hours
Monday: 9.30 am - 5.00 pm
Tuesday: 10.00 am - 5.00 pm
Wednesday - Saturday: 9.30 am - 5.00 pm
Sunday: 1.00 pm - 4.00 pm
Admission is FREE!
The Gallery will be closed on the following dates for Bank Holidays:
2, 4 & 5 April 2010
3 May 2010
31 May & 1 June 2010
30 & 31 August 2010
25 - 28 December 2010
The Gallery will be closed on the following dates for exhibition changes:
8 - 10 March 2010
26 April 2010 - Selection of Open Art
10 - 12 May 2010
12 - 14 July 2010
13 - 15 September 2010
1 - 4 November 2010
7 - 10 November 2010
Stafford is only 3 miles from the M6 (junction 13 or 14).
The Shire Hall Gallery is situated in Market Square. The Gallery can be accessed by the main entrance in the Market Square, or via the Shire Hall Library which is adjacent (entrance on Market Street).
Please note that wheelchair access to the Shire Hall Gallery is via the main entrance on Market Square only. There are a number of steps between the Shire Hall Gallery and Shire Hall Library areas of the building.
Parking:
There is no public car park at the Shire Hall Gallery. The Gallery is located in the pedestrianised area of Stafford town centre; there are both short and long stay car parks near by.
Public Transport:
Stafford railway station is approximately 5 minutes walk from the Shire Hall Gallery.
Local buses stop at various points around the town centre.
Visitors With Disabilities:
At the Shire Hall Gallery we aim to welcome all visitors with disabilities. The Gallery area is wheelchair accessible and exhibition space, craft shop, children's activity area and reception desk are all on one level. The Balcony Coffee Bar (located on the second floor) is accessible via a wheelchair lift, and can also be accessed from the Shire Hall library. Limited wheelchair access is also available in the Court Room.
The Gallery offers a Multi-Sensory room which allows visitors to experience different light, sound and tactile sensations. Our aim is to make this room available for use by all of our visitors, and we hope that it will be of particular interest to visitors of all ages with physical, visual and hearing impairments.
Toilet facilities are available for wheelchair users and those with impaired mobility.
The Shire Hall Gallery reception desk has a hearing induction loop available.
Information can be provided on request in large print or Braille.
Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome.
Address:
Shire Hall Gallery
Market Square
Stafford
ST16 2LD