It was originally built by architect Charles Reeves in 1850 and operated
as a county and magistrates court until 1992.
It’s since been completely renovated, with the main courtroom
being turned into a magnificent living and dining room.
When Leo and Christine Austin viewed the building back in 1998,
it had been empty for six years, was boarded up, had been
vandalised and was in a very poor state.
‘There was no electricity so we had to explore it with torches.
It was actually on the Buildings at Risk register, which gives
some indication of the condition,’ says Leo.
‘It did, however, have some wonderful features – terrific
entrance doors with great cast iron door knockers, beautiful
brass handles on the swing doors and much of the original
panelling in the courtroom.
‘After a structural engineer’s report, we installed a balcony
area at one end of the courtroom, using much of the original
panelling, and cantilevered the witness boxes from it.
‘I use this area as my study and it makes a wonderful light space with views through one of the arched windows over the garden.’
The couple decided to keep the journalist box in the courtroom, with its graffitied drop-down desk tops.
‘You can just imagine the boredom of someone who inscribed “I was not born here, but I may die here” or “Limbo must be like this”,’ Leo goes on.
‘There are lots of amusing stories to tell. The front smaller court room was used for registration of births and marriages and we met one lovely lady in her nineties who remembers cycling to her wedding there.
‘Converting and living in the Courthouse has been an adventure and it has certainly provided us with lots of wonderful memories.’
(Metro, UK)
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