600 Years Saved: The History And Rescue Of Leicester Guildhall

600 Years of Heritage, Saved for a Century: Discover Leicester’s Timber-Framed Wonder and the 1922 Restoration That Rescued It.

Welcome to Leicester Guildhall, one of the best-preserved timber-framed halls in the country, boasting a rich history that spans over 600 years.

Construction on this magnificent site began in 1343, with the iconic Great Hall completed around 1390 as a meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi. Over the next century, further wings were added to expand the building. Throughout its long life, the Guildhall has served many vital roles, including housing one of the nation's oldest public libraries and serving as Leicester's civic heart. It is even believed that William Shakespeare himself performed on these very boards during the Tudor era.

By 1876, a new Town Hall had been built, and the municipal corporation met at the Guildhall for the final time. Left vacant, the building fell into a severe state of disrepair. Thankfully, the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society successfully petitioned the council to save the structure, launching a major restoration programme in 1922. Following this extensive work, the Guildhall was officially declared open as a public museum on May 19th, 1926, with the council handing future control over to the museum and library committee.

As arguably the most significant historic building in Leicester, we are delighted to be celebrating 100 years of the Guildhall being open as a museum! To mark this milestone, we are hosting a free guided tour especially for Heritage Open Days. This exclusive tour will combine the general 600-year history of the Guildhall while diving into key elements of the transformative 1922 restoration project that saved it from ruin.

This is your perfect opportunity to step back through time and discover the secrets of this unique and beautiful landmark. Come and find out more with our free guided tour!