Cambridge Guildhall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cambridge Guildhall
Location	Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Built	1939
Architect	Charles Cowles-Voysey
Architectural style(s)	Neo-Georgian style
Listed Building – Grade II
Designated	2 August 1996
Reference no.	1268372
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The Cambridge Guildhall is an important building in the middle of Cambridge, England. It has two main rooms, called The Large Hall and The Small Hall. People use these halls for many different events. You might see comedy shows, big meetings, craft fairs, or live music there. It's also a popular place for talks and weddings.

The University of Cambridge sometimes uses the Guildhall for exams. The building belongs to and is managed by the Cambridge City Council. This means it's where the local government makes decisions for the city. You can find the Guildhall on the south side of Market Hill, which is Cambridge's main market square. It sits between Peas Hill on one side and Guildhall Street on the other. The Guildhall is a Grade II listed building, which means it's a special historic building.

The Guildhall's Long History

The land where the Guildhall stands has a very old past. The first known building there was a house. In 1224, King Henry III gave this house to the town. It was used as a place to hold people who had broken the law.

From Tolbooth to Guildhall

Next to this house was a synagogue. This building was later used by a group called the Franciscans. They eventually moved to a new place where Sidney Sussex College is today.

Around 1270, the building became known as the "tolbooth". This was because its main job was to collect tolls. These were fees for people entering the town or trading at the market. The tolbooth was also a place for entertainment. Acting groups, like Queen Elizabeth's Men, performed plays there many times in the 1500s.

Building a New Shire House

In 1747, a new building called a shire house was built. It was designed by Sharman and Barratt in a Classical style. This building stood on arches, with market stalls underneath. It was located in the open area at the front of Market Square. This was just north of the old tolbooth.

Meanwhile, the old tolbooth was rebuilt in 1782. This work cost £2,500 and was designed by James Essex. The shire house and the rebuilt tolbooth were connected by a wooden bridge. This bridge went over a narrow market street called Butter Row. This street was where people sold dairy products. From the late 1840s, these two buildings together were called "the guildhall".

The Modern Guildhall Building

Over time, the old guildhall became too small for the council's needs. So, a completely new Guildhall was built. This is the building you see today. It was designed by Charles Cowles-Voysey in the Neo-Georgian style. The construction cost £150,000 and was finished in 1939.

The Guildhall has always been a busy public place. Famous singers, like Kathleen Ferrier, performed concerts there. In 1973, a sculpture called "Talos" was put up on Guildhall Street. This artwork was created by Michael Ayrton in 1950.

The Guildhall served as the main office for the local government of Cambridge. It continued to be the city's government center even after the Cambridge City Council was created in 1974. For many years, important court cases were held at the Guildhall. This continued until a special courthouse opened in East Road in 2004.

In November 2012, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visited the Guildhall. They even waved to the crowds from the balcony!

Images for kids

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  View of the 18th century shire house (on the left) in the Market Place in 1841

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  A dinner in the Large Hall of the Cambridge Guildhall viewed from its stage

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  COVID-19 vaccination in the Large Hall of the Cambridge Guildhall viewed from its main entrance

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  View of Cambridge Guildhall in Guildhall Street, with Talos, a sculpture by Michael Ayrton, in foreground in 2006