The Sessions Court House, formerly part of Knutsford Goal and now The Court House Hotel, is a Grade II* listed building. The description given by British Listed Buildings reads as follows;
"SJ 7478 KNUTSFORD TOFT ROAD
(West side)
792-1/3/114
Sessions House
15.12.1954
GV II*
Sessions House, formerly part of gaol, the cell blocks now demolished. 1815-1818. By George Moneypenny. The main block flanked by curtain walls screening court rooms to right, and caretaker's house to left. Single storey. Main block has central portico with paired Ionic columns carrying high parapet. Pedimented lantern over. Side wings each side divided to the left by pilasters into 3 bays, with caretaker's house occupying the northernmost bay, beyond an arched entrance to rear. Caretaker's house has doorway to right, and tripartite window to the left, with two 4-pane sash windows above. Similar screen wall to the right of the main block with raised roof of top-lit court room. 3 round-arched windows over segmentally-arched sashes each side of central canted bay in the rear of this range.
INTERIOR: not inspected.
Listing NGR: SJ7515778436"
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Sessions House"In August 1816 an advertisement placed in the Chester Chronicle sought the services of an architect for a New Sessions House, Grand Jury Room and other conveniences at Knutsford; and also for a gaol providing reception for 150 prisoners, with a dwelling house and suitable accommodation for a keeper.
George Moneypenny who was an experienced in design and in building prisons was appointed, and submitted an estimate for £30,814.
For the layout of the prison, Moneypenny adopted a variation on the pantoptican plan which was pioneered by William Blackburn, and used by Harrison in the layout of the Chester gaol."
"In 2010, the Ministry of Justice closed the Sessions House and moved judicial proceedings to the Courts in Crewe, leaving the magnificent 17th Century building empty.
Cheshire-based hospitality group Flat Cap Hotels acquired the property in February 2016 and work began in early 2017 on reinstating the magnificent building back into the community, allowing public access to building for the very first time. Flat Cap Hotels have been involved in the sensitive restoration of the former Knutsford Crown Court, one of the town’s most iconic and eye-catching buildings."
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Knutsford County Gaol History: (
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The Court House Hotel: (
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