Leicester Town Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leicester Town Hall |
|
|---|---|
Leicester Town Hall
|
|
| Location | Town Hall Square, Leicester |
| Built | 1876 |
| Architect | Francis Hames |
| Architectural style(s) | Queen Anne style |
|
Listed Building – Grade II*
|
|
| Designated | 30 March 1972 |
| Reference no. | 1074780 |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Leicester Town Hall is an important building in the heart of Leicester, England. It stands in a special square with a beautiful fountain. This building is where the main offices for the City of Leicester are located. It even has a Bike Park inside! The Town Hall is also a very old and special building, known as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's protected because of its history and unique design.
Contents
History of Leicester Town Hall
Why a New Town Hall Was Needed
Before the current Town Hall was built, the city council met at a place called the Guildhall. But as Leicester grew, the Guildhall became too small for all the city's needs. So, the leaders decided they needed a bigger, newer building. They chose the old cattle market as the perfect spot for their new Town Hall.
Building the Town Hall
The first stone for the new building was placed on August 3, 1874. A talented architect named Francis Hames designed the Town Hall. He used a style called Queen Anne style, which was popular at the time. The building was officially opened on August 7, 1876, by the Mayor, Alderman William Barfoot.
The design included a tall clock tower with a dome-like top, called a cupola. This tower reaches about 44 meters (144 feet) high! The building was later made even bigger in 1910 and again in 1924.
Town Hall During World War II
During World War II, a German bomb hit the Town Hall. This happened on the night of November 19-20, 1940, during a time known as the Blitz. The bomb crashed through the roof and several floors. Luckily, it fell all the way to the basement without exploding! This saved the building from major damage.
The Town Hall Today
The Town Hall was the main office for Leicester's local government until 1974. After some changes to how local governments worked, it became the main meeting place for the Leicester City Council. This is the group of people who make important decisions for the city.
Inside the Town Hall, you can find some interesting artworks. These include a painting called "The Ferry" by Charles James Adams. There's also a painting by John Fulleylove showing the "Interior of the Mosque of Omar, Jerusalem".
Town Hall Square Features
The Grand Fountain
The area in front of the Town Hall is called Town Hall Square. On October 29, 1878, the Leicester Town Council accepted a wonderful gift. It was a beautiful fountain for the center of the square. This fountain was given to the city by Sir Israel Hart, who used to be the Mayor of Leicester.
The fountain is made from bronze-painted cast iron and different types of granite. Francis Hames, the same architect who designed the Town Hall, also planned the layout of the square and the fountain. Sir Israel Hart officially revealed the fountain on September 24, 1879.
Second Boer War Memorial
Also in Town Hall Square, you can find a special memorial. This monument remembers the Second Boer War. It was created by a sculptor named Joseph Crosland McClure. Field Marshal Lord Grenfell unveiled this memorial on July 1, 1909.
