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County Indexes Shropshire Museums and Arts The Judge's Lodging - Presteigne
County Indexes Shropshire Museums and Arts The Judge's Lodging - Presteigne 
The Judge's Lodging - Presteigne |
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 Last year, David Lammy, Minister for Culture, presented The Judge’s Lodging with a Sandford Award, recognising its ‘outstanding contribution to heritage education and learning within the historic environment’. It was also recognised as one of the UK’s top ten museums in the Best of British Awards 2005. The Save Britain’s Heritage organisation also called it ‘the most remarkable survivor of all UK court buildings’ and as setting a model for preservation in its recent survey on the future of Britain’s law courts. This echoes the Country Life Magazine comments that it is a ‘fascinating social document- an amazing survival’. All of this in the tiny Welsh border town of Presteigne! If you have not visited these award-winning historic judge’s accommodation and court yet, 2007 is a perfect time to wander through its gaslit rooms at a leisurely pace, as the museum celebrates its 10th birthday. There will be events running throughout the year for all ages and interests, from talks and demonstrations to craft and kids’ activities. Here is just a taster of what to expect: Georgian feasts; history lectures; Christmas flower and decoration demonstrations; a huge summer pirate extravaganza over two days in July; a major musical conference focussing on Crime and Punishment in opera, featuring some of Britain’s most talented singers and much, much more. Call before you go there to see what is on or check out the website for further details. The year also sees the venue being used for civil marriage ceremonies, with some of the stunning Judge’s rooms available - you can even get married in the dock! The judge’s apartments themselves have been stunningly restored, along with the gaslit servants’ quarters and vast echoing courtroom, where you are haunted by the echoes of trials long since concluded. You are guided through this Victorian world by an ‘eavesdropping’ audiotour featuring the voice of Robert Hardy. If you have children to entertain, you don’t have to worry about being told off every time they move, because the building has a ‘hands-on’ policy - you can lie on the beds, read the judge’s books and even pump water in the kitchen. There are activity chests around the building for kids to explore, plus their very own brand new guide book which tells of some of the stranger (and grosser!) facts about Victorian life, with of course, a large helping of ‘toilets and pants’ talk! If wildlife’s your thing, there’s also Arthur the very popular white museum cat, who greets visitors and loves attention! The beautiful town of Presteigne itself was named as one of the top ten places to live in Britain in a Country Life survey, whilst its road from there to Aberystwyth is in the AA’s top ten scenic routes in Europe. Even way back in the 1850s, Lord Chief Justice Campbell visited and called the town ‘ a sort of paradise’ and the Judge’s Lodging ‘ the most commodious and elegant apartments for a judge in all England and Wales’. With such an unusual museum and acolades, can you really resist a visit? Telephone 01544 260650 |
Featured Attraction
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Eastnor Castle This fairytale castle is as dramatic inside as it is outside. A vast, 60 foot high Hall leads to a series of State Rooms and Gothic Drawing Room designed by Pugin, with its original furniture and to the Italian Renaissance style library which boasts magnificent views across the lake. |
