A quarter of a century since the last sentence was passed, visitors, not miscreants, now enter the Shirehall Courtroom at Norwich Castle.
Literally following in the footsteps of Victorian prisoners, the new tour takes you on the same journey of impending doom which incarcerated men and women traversed knowing imminently, they would be sentenced to death if found guilty of their crimes.
Expert guides will share tales of trials and deviants who hit the headlines, stirring the nation. The trial of James Blomfield Rush in 1849, one of the most high profile cases of the Victorian era, was so intriguing, extra trains from London were laid on so over 20,000 spectators could watch him hang at the Castle gates.
The restored courtroom is an excellent example of its kind and comes complete with press box, public seating and viewing gallery where tickets were once sold to the public during popular trials.
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For more local tourist information:
- Norwich Tourist Information Centre
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Shirehall Courthouse
The Shirehall erected 1822
Scene in Court
Portrait of prisoner Rush, Norwich Gazette Extraordinary, 1849You may be interested in...
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