The Renovation Project


In June 2023, Woodbridge Town Council began to make plans for an ambitious restoration and reinvention project for the beloved Shire Hall, a Grade I Listed building constructed in 1575 and modified at various stages of its rich and varied history.

The Shire Hall is in need of significant repairs, the Council, alongside expert consultants are engaging in a fundraising campaign that will both enable the restoration and future-proofing of the building itself, while widening access and community use of the building..

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The Historic Shire Hall

The Shire Hall has served as the focal point of the town for over 400 years. It was built in 1575 by Thomas Seckford, Master of the Court of Requests to Queen Elizabeth I who wanted to move the local court, the "Quarter Sessions" from Melton to Woodbridge. He gave the use of the upper part of the hall for judicial purposes but retained his other rights in the hall as part of the Priory Manor. The ground floor served as an open corn market from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century.

At the end of the 20th Century the Shire Hall stopped being used as a courthouse and in 1987 it was bought by Woodbridge Town Council, ending a period of uncertainty over its future. Now we're looking to the Shire Hall's next chapter as we seek to restore the upper floor so the whole building can be used once again by the local community.

As we restore the building, we also want to learn more about its history. Please share your stories about its past, and your memories of the building.

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Historic Shire Hall

The Future of the Shire Hall

Woodbridge Town Council’s goal is solidifying the future of the Shire Hall. In order to do this, the Council is working with a team of experts who are:

  • Identifying the level of restoration the building requires and crucially, the cost of the restoration, including upgrading the buildings energy efficiency and exploring decarbonisation methods.
  • Establishing areas of community need and benefit via research and consultation, developing future potential uses for the building which will widen access to the Shire Hall’s heritage and future.
  • Securing the funding required to deliver the restoration and reinvention of the Shire Hall, ensuring that its role as a focal point for the town is carried forward for many years to come.

The local community is crucial to the success of the project. We will be announcing ways in which you can get involved in the coming weeks.

The Future of the Shire Hall photo

Keep informed

If you would like to be notified when more information, including opportunities to input into surveys become available, please complete this form. We will only notify of updates and information regarding the Shire Hall Restoration Project.

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