Corfe Castle - Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, UK
Posted by: 
Dragontree
N 50° 38.288 W 002° 03.443
30U E 566655 N 5610009
This is the smallest town hall in England and resides in the pretty village of Corfe Castle.
Waymark Code: WM4X4C
Location: Southern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 10/08/2008
Views: 10
The hall has been maintained by The Corfe Castle Town Trust since 1889. It has housed the meetings of the Mayors and Barons of Corfe Castle, Courts of Justice (and the lock-up), Parish Council and Purbeck Marblers over the past 350 years.
In 1888 the hall was already 200 years old and has undergone restoration. The ground floor was built from the stone of Corfe Castle itself when it was destroyed during the Civil War. Originally the hall was a single storey building with a thatched roof and was burnt down in 1680. The present building was then erected in the early 18th century.
It is a Grade II listed building and the Council Chamber is only 350 square feet. In 2002 structural problems were found and Jon Snow from Channel 4 News agreed to help front the Appeal to restore the building.
At present the ground floor of the Town Hall is used as a museum. It is open every day and is free to everyone. Exhibits show Corfe's history.
Also, the hall can be hired out as a meeting room.
Name: The town Hall
Address:
The town Hall
1 West Street
Corfe Castle, Dorset United Kingdom
BH20 5HA
Date of Construction: Early 18th Century
Memorials/Commemorations/Dedications:
Plaque stating the smallest town hall in England
Web Site for City/Town/Municipality: [Web Link]
Architect: Not listed
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