The Old Bailey was built on the site of George Dance's Piranesian Newgate Gaol, including the Sessions House, the predessor of the Central Criminal Courts.

Architecturally, the building is a masterpiece of the Edwardian Baroque, a grandiloquent style approximating to the reign of Edward VII but actually emerging before the end of the 19th century. As Mountford's best known work, it represents the full flowering of the Baroque revival, having a superstructure and dome based on those on the Royal Naval College at Greenwich by Wren, while below is a tremendous stone essay in attached columns, channelling and rustication. Atop the dome is F W Pomeroy's gilt bronze statue of Justice.

Internally, the finest space is the lofty Great Hall on the first floor, the ceiling decorated with more work by Pomeroy, allegorical paintings by Gerald Moira and others designed to force home the perils of misdemeanour. Opening out are the four original courtrooms in sombre and dictatorial Georgian. Futher courts are accommodated in George Whitby's southern extension of 1966-72, replacing part of Mountford's building.

Our guides, Richard Gray and Robert Woolf, will provide information on the judiciary system and how the Old Bailey operates, as well as on the architecture and decoration.

Finding the Old Bailey: from the nearest Tube station, St. Pauls on the Central line, follow Newgate Street west to its junction with the street Old Bailey. Please assemble on the small paved area in front of the building.

ALL ATTENDEES WILL NEED TO BRING PHOTO ID.

Richard Gray, fomerly of English Heritage, has been a member of the Victorian Society for many years and most recently led a walk in the West End for the society looking at and visiting historic theatres.

Robert Woolf is a London Blue Badge Tour Guide, a Member of the Institute of Tourist Guiding, the British Guild of Tourist Guides & the Association of Professional Tourist Guides.

This event helps raise funds for The Victorian Society - the only charity dedicated to fighting for our Victorian and Edwardian heritage. Funds raised from events and memberships allow us to employ expert caseworkers to reply to thousands of planning applications a year in our role as a statutory consultee in the planning system.

We help tackle the climate emergency by campaigning for the sensitive reuse of historic buildings to generate much lower carbon emissions than demolition and rebuild. Join us today and safeguard our unique cultural heritage for future generations! For further information, click here.

Cancellations

Cancellations will be accepted up to a week before the event. A refund will be issued but will be subject to a £10 deduction per ticket for administrative costs.

Disclaimer

You participate in events at your own risk, and neither the Society nor its officers or servants accept any liability of any kind whatsoever, howsoever arising. The Victorian Society reserves the right to cancel, alter or postpone events if necessary.

Image: Lady Justice on Old Bailey - photo by The Wub CC BY-SA 4.0

Visit to the Old Bailey