
Victoria Law Courts, Birmingham
The Victoria Law Courts on Corporation Street is a home to Birmingham Magistrates' Court.
This red brick and terracotta edifice was designed by Aston Webb & Ingress Bell of London in 1886, following an open competition sought to provide the first assize courts in the rapidly growing town of Birmingham. Built by local firm John Bowen & Sons, the building is faced entirely in deep red terracotta and covered in intricate terracotta ornamentation.
Similarly, the interior, including the Great Hall, also features sandy-yellow terracotta and intricate ornamentation. The chandeliers in the Great Hall resemble Queen Victoria’s coronation crown and were the first outside London to be powered by electricity. A statue of Queen Victoria by Harry Bates surmounts the main entrance.
The Queen herself laid the foundation stone on 23 March 1887 in her Golden Jubilee year. The courts were opened on 21 July 1891 by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Further additions included a projecting bow window on the left in 1891–94 and extensions along Newton Street in 1914. Standing at the northern end of the shopping street, the building is complemented by the similarly coloured Methodist Central Hall, which stands opposite.
This red brick and terracotta edifice was designed by Aston Webb & Ingress Bell of London in 1886, following an open competition sought to provide the first assize courts in the rapidly growing town of Birmingham. Built by local firm John Bowen & Sons, the building is faced entirely in deep red terracotta and covered in intricate terracotta ornamentation.
Similarly, the interior, including the Great Hall, also features sandy-yellow terracotta and intricate ornamentation. The chandeliers in the Great Hall resemble Queen Victoria’s coronation crown and were the first outside London to be powered by electricity. A statue of Queen Victoria by Harry Bates surmounts the main entrance.
The Queen herself laid the foundation stone on 23 March 1887 in her Golden Jubilee year. The courts were opened on 21 July 1891 by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Further additions included a projecting bow window on the left in 1891–94 and extensions along Newton Street in 1914. Standing at the northern end of the shopping street, the building is complemented by the similarly coloured Methodist Central Hall, which stands opposite.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Birmingham. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Victoria Law Courts on Map
Sight Name: Victoria Law Courts
Sight Location: Birmingham, England (See walking tours in Birmingham)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Birmingham, England (See walking tours in Birmingham)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Birmingham, England
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Creating your own self-guided walk in Birmingham is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
In 1166, Peter de Bermingham received a charter from the King, Henry II, to build a market at his castle (Peter's castle, not Henry's). As Lord of the Manor... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Birmingham Historical Buildings Tour
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Traces of the ancient settlement, dating back to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Traces of the ancient settlement, dating back to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles