A courthouse near Manchester is unrecognisable after undergoing a stunning renovation that has seen the historic building completely reimagined.
The 200-year-old Knutsford Crown Court in Cheshire has witnessed plenty over the years. The Grade II-listed venue was originally known as The Sessions House and was partly built in 1575 before being completed in 1818 by architect George Moneypenny.
In 1952, World War II code breaker Alan Turing was put on trial at the courthouse for “gross indecency” because of his relationship with Arnold Murray before homosexuality was decriminalised. The building remained as an active Crown Court until 2010, with Flat Cap Hotels acquiring the property in 2016.
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In 2018, brothers Oliver and Dominic Heywood completely transformed the historic venue into a hotel, restaurant and bar, fittingly named The Courthouse. At the time, the MEN spoke to the pair about their dream of expanding their Flat Cap Hotels business by taking on old buildings and bringing them back into public use.
When the Ministry of Justice revealed they were selling Knutsford Crown Court, they jumped at the chance to buy it. Oliver told the MEN: “Our big focus is buildings of interest and heritage and how we can convert them and bring them back into the community.
“We wanted to open the building back up to the public. There’s so much interest in the building and so much history. I still pinch myself that we got it.”
Dominic added: “A stunning building like this should be open to the public. You couldn’t just walk in and have a look at the architecture when it was a court, but now you can.”
Now, the old courthouse has once again been reimagined with the duo carrying out a 12-month renovation on the building to give the hotel and restaurant a new look. Combining traditional architecture with contemporary design and facilities, The Courthouse has kept some of the iconic features from when it was used as a court, including its domed skylight, patterned ceiling and elements from the judge’s dock.
Many parts of the building are unrecognisable, though, with the restaurant’s modern décor including an industrial vaulted bar and olive trees. It’s safe to say it’s a major contrast to the wooden tables, jury box and more that once stood inside the building.
A neon sign on the navy wall of the restaurant reads “if these walls could talk”, hinting at the incredible history that has taken place inside the building across its two centuries in action.
If you choose to dine at the restaurant, you can expect a selection of small plates, sides and Sunday roasts perfect for family time, a get together with friends, or date night. If you want to make a full evening of it, The Courthouse offers nine “lofty and spacious” hotel bedrooms that feature floor to ceiling canopy beds and original fireplaces.
The modern but traditional bathrooms have rainforest showers, with some boasting double sinks. The stunning hotel rooms combined with the trendy dining area make The Courthouse the ideal place for the perfect getaway.
To find out more about The Courthouse or to book a table or room, visit the website here.
What are your thoughts on the transformation of the former courthouse? Let us know in the comments section below.
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