In the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, a county town is the most important town or city in a county. It is usually the location of administrative or judicial functions within a county, and the place where the county's members of Parliament are elected. Following the establishment of county councils in England 1889, the headquarters of the new councils were usually established in the county town of each county; however, the concept of a county town pre-dates these councils.
Ilchester is a village and civil parish, situated on the River Yeo or Ivel, five miles north of Yeovil, in the English county of Somerset. Originally a Roman town, and later a market town, Ilchester has a rich medieval history and was a notable settlement in the county; around the 12th and 13th centuries it was effectively the county town. It had, however, declined in size and importance by the beginning of the 18th century, and the last markets were held in 1833. In 1889 the historic corporation that had governed the town was dissolved.
Somerton is a town and civil parish in the English county of Somerset. It gave its name to the county and was briefly, around the start of the 14th century, the county town, and around 900 was possibly the capital of Wessex. It has held a weekly market since the Middle Ages, and the main square with its market cross is today popular with visitors. Situated on the River Cary, approximately 8.8 miles (14.2 km) north-west of Yeovil, Somerton has its own town council serving a population of 4,697 as of 2011.
The Old Gaol, also known as the Manor Office, is a custodial building in Hallgate in Hexham, Northumberland, England. The building, which now operates as a museum, is a Grade I listed building.
HMP Shepton Mallet, sometimes known as Cornhill, is a former prison located in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England. When it closed in 2013, it was the United Kingdom's oldest operating prison, and had been since the closure of HMP Lancaster Castle in 2011. Before closure Shepton Mallet was a category C lifer prison holding 189 prisoners. The prison building is grade II* listed, while the former gatehouse and perimeter walls are grade II.
Blackford is a village and former civil parish in the county of Somerset, England, beside the A303 road, 4 miles (6.4 km) south west of Wincanton. There are two other places called Blackford in Somerset: one is a village near Wedmore, the other a tiny hamlet in Selworthy parish between Porlock and Minehead.
The Treasurer's House is a National Trust-owned property in Martock, in the English county of Somerset. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building. Apart from the Bishop's Palace, Wells it is the oldest house in the county.
Ilkley Manor House, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, England, is a local heritage museum, art gallery, and live venue, and was established in the present building in 1961 to preserve local archaeological artefacts after the spa town expanded and much Roman material was lost. It was managed by Bradford Council Museums and Galleries department but had to be closed in 2013 owing to lack of funds. In order to keep the building open to the public, the Ilkley Manor House Trust was formed, and in April 2018, Bradford Council transferred the Manor House and three adjacent cottages to the Trust as a community asset transfer.
Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley, West Yorkshire, England, is a local heritage museum which opened in the grand, Victorian, neo-Gothic Cliffe Castle in 1959. Originating as Cliffe Hall in 1828, the museum is the successor to Keighley Museum which opened in Eastwood House, Keighley, in c. 1892. There is a series of galleries dedicated to various aspects of local heritage, and to displaying the house itself, which is a Grade II listed building. Entrance to the museum is free of charge.
Stamford Town Hall is a municipal building in St Mary's Hill, Stamford, Lincolnshire, England. The building, which was the headquarters of Stamford Borough Council, is a Grade II* listed building.
Saffron Walden Town Hall is a municipal building in the Market Place, Saffron Walden, Essex, England. The structure, which is the headquarters of Saffron Walden Town Council, is a Grade II listed building.
Glastonbury Town Hall is a municipal building in Magdalene Street, Glastonbury, Somerset, England. The structure, which is the meeting place of Glastonbury Town Council, is a Grade II* listed building.
Woburn Town Hall is a municipal building in the Market Place, Woburn, Bedfordshire, England. The town hall, which has largely been converted for retail use, is a Grade II listed building.
Wark Town Hall is a municipal building on The Green in Wark on Tyne, Northumberland, England. The building, which is used as a community events venue, is a Grade II listed building.
Clun Town Hall is a municipal building in The Square in Clun, Shropshire, England. The building, which is now used as a museum, is a Grade II* listed building.
Crewkerne Town Hall is a municipal building in the Market Square in Crewkerne, Somerset, England. The building, which is the meeting place of Crewkerne Town Council, is a Grade II listed building.
The Old Town Hall is a municipal building in the Market Place in Somerton, Somerset, England. The building, which is used as an arts centre, is a Grade II listed building.
The Moot Hall is a former judicial structure in The Market Place, Hexham, Northumberland, England. The structure, which currently accommodates an art gallery on the ground floor and the museums department of Northumberland County Council on the upper floors, is a Grade I listed building.
The Old Guildhall is a municipal building in Higher Market Street in Looe, Cornwall, England. The structure, which is currently used as a museum, is a Grade II* listed building.
Ilchester Town Hall is a municipal building in the High Street in Ilchester, Somerset, England. The structure, which serves as the offices and meeting place of Ilchester Town Council, is a Grade II listed building.
