‘Truly inspirational’ is how HRH King Charles III described The Judge’s Lodging on a visit to this stunningly restored Victorian courthouse, when Prince of Wales.
Historic Royal Palaces Curator & historian, Lucy Worsley exclaimed ‘WHAT a stunning place!’ after filming for the BBC in the building. The Hudson’s Heritage Awards hailed it as ‘Britain’s Best Hidden Gem’…the list goes on of accolades accrued by this unusual historic building.
‘One of the world’s most appealing small museums’
Dr John Davies, historian.
A visitor recently summed their impression up in the Visitor Book as ‘breath-taking in its authenticity’. You really do need to see for yourself what all the fuss is over this exceptional courthouse in the tiny Welsh border town of Presteigne.
The Judge’s Lodging has long had a reputation for liking the quirkier side of history, so a visit to the museum will treat you to all sorts of fascinating insights into Victorian living, from jelly-making and napkin folding to toilet habits and household maintenance hints. This award-winning historic judge’s accommodation and court offers a most unusual journey back in time, as you wander freely through their private apartments, exploring rooms once the secret domain of these men of law and their households.
Below stairs there is the full range of servants’ rooms to explore, with kitchens, sleeping quarters and workrooms; a whole gaslit world to discover. Yes – gaslit! The whole house is lit completely by period lighting – once you enter the realms of the Judge’s rooms, there is not an electric light in sight! The tour is finished by a trip to the grim holding cells and vast courtroom, where you are haunted by the echoes of trials long since concluded. You are guided through this Victorian world by the voices of its past inhabitants, on an audiotour featuring the late actor Robert Hardy. For Welsh-speaking visitors, your lively audiotour features comedian and presenter Tudur Owen, who filmed in the building, with much hilarity, a few years ago.
School holidays always have exciting trails to entertain the young. ‘Interesting Stuff, Gross Facts, and a Bit about the Building’ is the guidebook designed especially for younger visitors too … oh, who are we kidding? Everyone wants to read about toilets, pants and prisoners! There are lots of opportunities for selfies, if you want to imagine yourself living like a judge or one of his felonious guests, including a selection of hilarious masks.
If you want to relax, the museum also runs a pop-up tearoom throughout the summer and school holiday periods, where you can grab some locally roasted coffee, speciality teas and cakes that are baked just 100 yards away, with seating both inside and in the walled garden.
From Autumn 2025 onwards, you can take the idea of relaxation even further with the museum’s new holiday lets. The Retiring Rooms @ The Judge’s Lodging will accommodate two flats, furnished with all the colour and quirkiness expected from this museum, with fascinating touches to help you explore the history of the building and the town even further. Even in the first week of starting construction, as the icy January winds bit hard, there was an eruption of excitement as the builders found the Victorian rubbish dump, buried in corner the garden – three feet down, under piles of broken bottles and pots, a photograph of a beautiful Victorian woman emerged, which left everyone speechless. The Museum is now on a mission to discover who she may have been – a Housekeeper’s wife? They may never know. Check out the interview Gaby Rivers for the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0kmy0xr
A glance out at the street from the Judge’s rooms, shows you just what those of old saw. The town of Presteigne itself is a gorgeous mix of old buildings, quirky shops and events. The Judge’s Lodging runs the local tourist information service too, so will help you with a trail of the town, ideas for walks, picnic areas or other things to do in the surrounding countryside.
When Lord Chief Justice Campbell was staying in the building whilst visiting the court in 1855, he claimed that it was “the most commodious and elegant apartments in all England and Wales”. We are pleased to say that little has changed since his time, although there are now flushing toilets and everyone is allowed to sit in the Judge’s chair! You can be assured of a relaxed visit, escaping the modern world.
If you want more information on any of the museum’s work or activities, visit the website or just call the staff who are always happy to chat.
Opening dates 2025
1st April – 30th June Weds – Sat, and Bank Holiday Sundays/Mondays
1st July – 30th Sept Tues-Sun and BHM
1st Oct – 2nd Nov Weds-Sat
Check website to find extended opening days in school holidays.
Telephone 01544 260650
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