Please click the Play button to listen to a brief audio clip about the history of Appleby’s Shire Hall and Police Station.
A Transcript is also available further down the page.
Historical Images of The Shire Hall and Police Station
Audio Transcript
Historically, Appleby was the County town of Westmorland, and it was the location of sittings of both Quarter Sessions and Assize Courts.
In the late 18th century, two judiciary buildings were established – firstly the County Gaol, now the Police Station, and secondly the Assize and County Court, now known as the Shire Hall. Assize courts were courts in the main county town, presided over by visiting judges from higher courts. The Shire Hall and Police Station are located on the southern end of the Sands. Interestingly, the Sands was named due to the deposits of sand left by the River Eden after a flood.
The original gaol, was built in 1770-71, but was rebuilt in 1874 to comply with additional stipulations in the Prison Act. In the mid-1770s, it was decided to commission a courthouse in Appleby, and the local lord of the manor made land available on The Sands. Prior to this, all assize hearings had taken place at Appleby Castle until 1670, and then at the Moot Hall until 1778, when the construction on the Shire Hall was completed. The building continued to serve as the Assize Hearings Court and subsequently the Local Magistrates Court until 1998.
The original prison wall to the south and east of the Shire Hall still exists and runs behind the current Police Station. The front of the Shire Hall is now used as commercial properties, including the town’s opticians and dentist. The former County Gaol is still in use as a Police Station today.
About the Speaker: John Nicholson
PCSO 5178 John Nicholson has been on the Eden police force since 2007, serving the local community for over 18 years. He is very familiar with Appleby and has policed the annual Horse Fair for a number of years.