County Sessions House

1882-1884
Grade II*

The architects F. & G. Holme were commissioned to design a new building to house three courtrooms and their attendant facilities, from barristers' library to cells. 

They produced an opulent if eclectic interior within a classical framework whose exterior shows the firm's fine control of decoration focusing on the façade to William Brown Street. 

Its scale and design continues the classical theme established there. It also completes the vista at the north end east end of St George's Plateau. 

Like buildings to the west on William Brown Street its main façade has a bold central portico carried on four pairs of Corinthian columns; within the pediment is the coat of arms of the County of Lancaster. 

The degree of external decoration (swags above the courtroom windows, enriched panels on the attic storey) is in contrast to the sombre purpose for which the House was built. Since it opened it has remained virtually unchanged and is now part of the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside.