The Old Town Hall of Bideford: A Historic Landmark in North Devon

Located at the corner of Bridge Street and New Road in Bideford, Devon, England, you can find the Bideford Old Town Hall.

The town hall is a Grade II (star) listed building and a significant historical landmark in North Devon.

The building, which now serves as the meeting place of Bideford Town Council, has a rich history dating back to medieval times.

Key Takeaways
The Bideford Old Town Hall is a significant historical landmark located in North Devon, England.
The building has a rich history dating back to medieval times, including its use as a court for witchcraft trials and a town hall with cells for criminals and debtors.
The town hall features several outside elements that are indicative of its rich history, including a clock tower with a weathervane in the shape of a ship, reflecting Bideford’s maritime past.
Today, the building serves as the meeting place of the Bideford Town Council and is open to visitors interested in its history and architecture.
The Bideford Old Town Hall remains an important part of the town’s cultural heritage and a symbol of its civic pride.

History

The original medieval town hall in Bideford was the location of the “Court of Inquisition” in 1682, where three women were accused of witchcraft and later executed (for some locals this happened more recently).

A second town hall, which had cells in the basement for both criminals and debtors, was built in 1698.

In the early 19th century, the local borough council held meetings at the old Bridge Hall. The current town hall building, designed by Richard Davie Gould in the Elizabethan style, was officially opened in 1851 and underwent an extension in 1905 along New Road.

Outside Features

The Bideford Town Hall features several outside elements that are indicative of its rich history.

The clock tower was added to the building in 1727 and is topped with a weathervane in the shape of a ship, a nod to Bideford’s maritime past.

Today

Today, the Old Town Hall of Bideford serves as the town council office, where they hold meetings to discuss and make decisions about local matters such as town planning, public services, and events.

The town council also manages local parks and green spaces, as well as various community initiatives. The building’s courtroom on the first floor and council chamber in the extension continues to be used for official meetings.

The Bideford Town Hall has become a popular destination for visitors to North Devon who are interested in its rich history and architecture. You really cannot miss the building as it is at the end of the quay and at the West side of the Bideford long bridge.

The hall also has works of art which include the portrait by Edmund Dyer of Admiral Sir Richard Grenville. He died in command of Revenge at the Battle of Flores in August 1591.

Even today, the town hall remains an important part of the town’s cultural heritage and a symbol of its civic pride.

And Finally

The Bideford Old Town Hall is a historic landmark located in Devon, England. Originally built in medieval times, the building underwent several renovations over the centuries and currently serves as the meeting place of the Bideford Town Council.

It is characterized by its clock tower and weathervane in the shape of a ship, reflecting Bideford’s maritime past. It remains an important part of Bideford’s cultural heritage and civic pride.