Sessions House | |
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Location: | Preston |
Coordinates: | |
OS grid reference: | SD 540 294 |
Built: | 1900–1903 |
Architect: | Henry Littler |
Architectural style(s): | Edwardian Baroque |
Governing body: | Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
Designated: | 27 September 1979 |
Reference #: | 1279796 |
The Sessions House is a courthouse in Preston, Lancashire and is a Grade II* listed building. Built between 1900 and 1903 as a venue for the Quarter Sessions and Assizes it is still in use as a courthouse as well as being used as administrative offices for Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS).
Designed by Manchester architect, Henry Littler, in the Edwardian Baroque and constructed of sandstone, the building has three floors topped with a tower.[1] The tower makes Sessions House one of the tallest buildings in Preston rising to 54.7 metres (179.5 ft).[2] Situated on Lancaster Road, the main facade is on Harris Street facing the Harris Museum, the facade contains the most elaborate stonework.
Internally there are two courtrooms on the first floor that are used daily by Preston Crown Court together with a third smaller courtroom on the ground floor used by Preston County Court.[3] The HMCTS Area Directors office for Lancashire and Cumbria is also situated in the building.[4]