The Great Hall was once used as a public library in the early 17th century, one of the first in the country.
Shakespeare is often rumored to have performed in the Great Hall, though there is no definitive documentation to support this.
The building was constructed by the Corpus Christi Guild, a religious and social fraternity.
During the 19th century, the site housed the Leicester Borough Police station, and many original graffiti markings remain on the cell walls.
The floorboards in some areas of the museum are original oak, showing centuries of wear.
The site hosts a collection of objects related to the history of the Leicester Town Watch.
The building's timber-frame construction is wattle and daub, a traditional medieval building technique.
The Guildhall Museum is one of the oldest timber-framed buildings in England, dating back to approximately 1390. Originally serving as the town hall for Leicester, it functioned as a meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi. The building features an intact Great Hall with original medieval roof timbers and Victorian-era wood paneling. The structure has served multiple purposes throughout its history, including as a court, a school, and a police station. Its basement retains the cells from its time as a 19th-century police lock-up. The museum displays local historical artifacts, including significant collections related to the city's civic development. It remains a rare example of a medieval public building that retains much of its original structural character in an urban setting.
The view from the center of the Great Hall looking up at the vaulted medieval timber roof structure.
Look closely at the walls in the basement cells to find prisoner graffiti carvings.
Check the event calendar, as the Great Hall is frequently used for period-accurate music and theatrical performances.
Explore the rear courtyard, which is often quieter and offers a unique perspective of the timber framing.
Do not assume the building is fully accessible, as the medieval layout includes uneven floorboards and narrow staircases.
Closed on certain weekdays; check official council website for specific public holiday closures.
