Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum

Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum in Dorchester preserves an 18th-century courtroom and cells where the Tolpuddle Martyrs were sentenced in 1834. This atmospheric building allows visitors to experience Victorian justice firsthand through courtroom recreations, costumed interpreters, and immersive displays. The courthouse hosted trials that shaped British history including the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ prosecution for forming an early trade union. Visitors can stand in the dock, explore Victorian cells, and learn about famous cases including smuggling trials and rural protests. The museum explains how justice operated in the 19th century and the evolution of workers’ rights. Interactive technology brings historical trials to life while preserving authentic Victorian architecture and fittings. Shire Hall demonstrates how historic buildings can serve as powerful educational tools connecting visitors to social history and legal heritage. Essential for understanding the Tolpuddle Martyrs story and Victorian criminal justice.