View source for County Hall, London

{{otheruses}}
{{short description|County building in London, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name =County Hall
| native_name =
| image =File:County Hall, London (West Face - 01).jpg
| caption =County Hall from [[Westminster Bridge]]
| locmapin =United Kingdom London Lambeth
| map_caption =Shown in Lambeth
| coordinates = {{coord|51|30|7|N|0|7|8|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title,inline}}
| location =[[Lambeth]]
| area =
| built =1911–{{start date and age|1939}}
| architect = [[Ralph Knott]]
| architecture =[[Edwardian Baroque]] style
| governing_body =
| designation1 =Grade II* Listed Building
| designation1_offname =
| designation1_date =19 October 1951
| designation1_number =1358192
| website=
}}
'''County Hall''' (sometimes called '''London County Hall''') is a building in the district of [[Lambeth]], [[London]] that was the headquarters of [[London County Council]] (LCC) and later the [[Greater London Council]] (GLC). The building is on the [[South Bank]] of the [[River Thames]], beside [[Westminster Bridge]]. It faces west toward the [[City of Westminster]] and is close to the [[Palace of Westminster]]. The nearest [[London Underground]] stations are {{lus|Waterloo}} and {{lus|Westminster}}. It is a Grade II* [[listed building]].<ref name=nhle>{{NHLE|desc=Main block of County Hall|num=1358192|access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = County Office Site (London) Act 1906
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of the United Kingdom
| long_title            = An Act to empower the London County Council to acquire lands for county offices and to construct an embankment in the River Thames and for other purposes.
| year                  = 1906
| citation              = [[6 Edw. 7]]. c. lxxxvi
| introduced_commons    = 
| introduced_lords      = 
| territorial_extent    = 
| royal_assent          = 20 July 1906
| commencement          = 
| expiry_date           = 
| repeal_date           = 
| amends                = 
| replaces              = 
| amendments            = 
| repealing_legislation = 
| related_legislation   = 
| status                = 
| legislation_history   = 
| theyworkforyou        = 
| millbankhansard       = 
| original_text         = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Edw7/6/86/pdfs/ukla_19060086_en.pdf
| revised_text          = 
| use_new_UK-LEG        = 
| UK-LEG_title          = 
| collapsed             = yes
}}

[[File:Lccchamber.jpg|thumb|left|Council Chamber of the LCC, from the majority benches]]
[[File:County Hall, London, seen from the London Eye.jpg|thumb|left|County Hall, London, seen from the London Eye]]
[[File:countyhall.jpg|thumb|600px|County Hall]]

The building was commissioned to replace the mid 19th-century [[Spring Gardens]] headquarters inherited from the [[Metropolitan Board of Works]].<ref name=oldhall>{{cite web |title=Old County Hall (including site of Berkeley House) |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=68414  |year=1940 |work=Survey of London: volume 20: St Martin-in-the-Fields, pt III: Trafalgar Square & Neighbourhood  |publisher=British History Online |access-date=21 August 2009}}</ref> The site selected by civic leaders was previously occupied by four properties: Float Mead (occupied by Simmond's flour mills), Pedlar's Acre (occupied by wharves and houses), Bishop's Acre (occupied by [[Crosse & Blackwell]]'s factory) and the Four Acres (occupied by workshops and stables).<ref>{{cite web|title='The County Hall', in Survey of London: Volume 23, Lambeth: South Bank and Vauxhall|first1= Howard|last1= Roberts |first2= Walter H|last2= Godfrey |location=London|year=1951|pages= 62–65|publisher=British History Online |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol23/pp62-65 |access-date= 10 September 2020}}</ref> It was compulsorily purchased using powers granted by the '''{{visible anchor|County Office Site (London) Act 1906}}''' ([[6 Edw. 7]]. c. lxxxvi).

The main six storey building was designed by [[Ralph Knott]]. It is faced in [[Portland stone]] in an [[Edwardian Baroque]] style.  The construction, which was undertaken by [[Holland, Hannen & Cubitts]],<ref>Holland & Hannen and Cubitts – The Inception and Development of a Great Building Firm, published 1920, Page 63</ref> started in 1911 and the building was opened by [[George V of the United Kingdom|King George V]] in 1922. The North and South blocks, which were built by [[Higgs and Hill]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=49753|title= 'General introduction', Survey of London: volume 26: Lambeth: Southern area |year=1956|pages= 1–17|access-date= 28 March 2010}}</ref> were added between 1936 and 1939.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.countyhall.org/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=108&op=page&SubMenu= |title=County Hall Apartments |access-date=28 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927134938/http://countyhall.org/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=108&op=page&SubMenu= |archive-date=27 September 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Island block was not completed until 1974.<ref>[http://www.blitzandblight.com/1-westminster-bridge 1 Westminster Bridge] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602104919/http://www.blitzandblight.com/1-westminster-bridge |date=2 June 2015 }}</ref>

In 1945, the [[World Trade Union Conference]] took place at the hall.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Anon. |title=The Worker's War: Home Front Recalled |publisher=London Metropolitan University |url=http://www.unionhistory.info/workerswar/display.php?irn=3000094&QueryPage=/workerswar/imagesdocs.php |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=www.unionhistory.info |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/world-trade-union-conference-at-county-hall-6-february-1945-news-photo/1360171112|title=World Trade Union conference at County Hall|date=21 December 2021 |publisher=Getty Images|access-date=3 June 2023}}</ref>

The Island Block was built on what was then a [[roundabout]] (now a peninsula) between County Hall, [[St Thomas' Hospital]] and [[London Waterloo station|Waterloo Station]]. It was notable to the passing public for three main reasons: it was of a completely different architectural character to any of the other nearby buildings, it had no entrances at ground level (though there were emergency exits), being accessible only by a bridge and a tunnel both from the SE County Hall building, and it had orange sunshades, designed to be lowered and raised together automatically when the sun shone, rather than by local control which would look less pleasing on the outside. The controls quickly malfunctioned, leaving the unwanted "random" effect while also causing excess heat and glare inside the building which the occupants could not control. Disliked by many Londoners, it was nonetheless considered "distinguished" by its architect and some other experts, and noted as an early example of open-plan office interior, which should have been listed.<ref name="bbc eyesore" />

For 64 years County Hall served as the headquarters of local government for London. During the 1980s the then powerful [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]-controlled GLC led by [[Ken Livingstone]] was locked in conflict with the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] national government of [[Margaret Thatcher]]. The façade of County Hall frequently served as a billboard for opposition slogans which could be seen from the Palace of Westminster.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/japanese-offer-county-hall-as-seat-of-london-government-1263136.html|title=Japanese offer County Hall as seat of London government|date=24 May 1997|work=The Independent|access-date=14 November 2020}}</ref>

When the government of [[Margaret Thatcher]] abolished the GLC in 1986, County Hall lost its role as the seat of London's government. Talk soon became of what was to happen to the building, and there were plans to relocate the [[London School of Economics]] to the site which did not proceed.<ref name=japan>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/japanese-win-fight-for-county-hall-1553739.html|title=Japanese win fight for County Hall|date=26 September 1992|work=The Independent|access-date=14 November 2020}}</ref> The building remained in use by the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) until its abolition in 1990 when the building was transferred to the [[London Residuary Body]] and eventually sold to Shirayama Shokusan, a Japanese investor.<ref name=japan/> On 21 October 2005, the [[High Court of England and Wales]] upheld a bid by Shirayama Shokusan to have the [[Saatchi Gallery]] evicted on grounds of violating its contract, particularly using space outside of the rented area for exhibits.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4363968.stm |title=Saatchi Gallery evicted by judge |work=BBC News |date=21 October 2005 |access-date=8 December 2008}}</ref>
 
The Island Block was demolished in 2006 to make way for a hotel, the [[Park Plaza Westminster Bridge]]. The building, also known as ''No 1 Westminster Bridge Road'', had been disused since 1986 and had been described as an eyesore.<ref name="bbc eyesore">{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/5015114.stm |title=Demolition work begins on eyesore |work=BBC News |date=25 May 2006 |access-date=8 December 2008}}</ref>

A [[blue plaque]] commemorates the LCC, GLC and the Inner London Education Authority at County Hall.<ref name='EngHet'>{{cite web| url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/blue-plaques/search/county-hall-a.k.a.-the-london-county-council-and-the-greater-london-council|title=County Hall A.K.A. The London County Council and the Greater London Council|publisher=English Heritage|access-date=6 December 2012}}</ref>

==Attractions==
County Hall is the site of a number of leisure attractions including a hub for [[Merlin Entertainments]], which operates the [[Sea Life London Aquarium]] in its basement,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Buchanan |first=Rhoda |date=8 April 2009 |title=A fishy day out at the new London Aquarium |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/england/london-travel/a-fishy-day-out-at-the-new-london-aquarium-d7l3x0rs0g7 |url-access=subscription |access-date=12 June 2011 |work=[[The Times]] |location=London}}</ref> [[London Dungeon]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://london-support.thedungeons.com/hc/en-us/articles/212498729-Where-is-The-London-Dungeon|title=Where is The London Dungeon?|publisher=The London Dungeon|access-date=25 March 2024}}</ref> [[DreamWorks Tours: Shrek's Adventure!|Shrek's Adventure!]]<ref name=":0" /> and [[London Eye]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Location and Directions {{!}} The Official lastminute.com London Eye |url=https://www.londoneye.com/plan-your-visit/before-you-visit/directions/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=The London Eye |language=en}}</ref> in and around the building.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/jul/07/shreks-adventure-london-review |title=Take the kids to … Shrek's Adventure, London |work=The Guardian |location= London |date=7 July 2015 |access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> 

In 2007, County Hall hosted Star Wars: The Exhibition. The exhibition featured original costumes, props, and vehicles from the [[Star Wars]] film series and was created to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the [[Star Wars (film)|original film]]'s release.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Masters |first1=Tim |title=Taking a walk on the Dark Side |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6628737.stm |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=BBC News |date=5 May 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Star Wars world arrives in London |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6628241.stm |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=BBC News |date=5 May 2007}}</ref>

From 2008 to 2012, the building was home to the [[London Film Museum]] founded by Jonathan Sands, which exhibited original props, costumes and sets from a variety of feature films.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitlondon.com/attractions/detail/3611303 |title=About The London Film Museum |website=Visit London |date=7 August 2011 |url-status=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807023820/http://www.visitlondon.com/attractions/detail/3611303 |archivedate=7 August 2011 }}</ref>

Since October 2017, the old council chamber has hosted a [[Site-specific theatre|site-specific production]] of [[Agatha Christie]]'s [[Witness for the Prosecution (play)|Witness for the Prosecution]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Admin |date=2022-10-06 |title=Witness for the Prosecution celebrates 5 years at London County Hall |url=https://www.londontheatre1.com/theatre-news/witness-for-the-prosecution-celebrates-5-years-at-london-county-hall/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=LondonTheatre1 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Witness for the Prosecution |url=https://witnesscountyhall.com/the-venue/venue-information |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=witnesscountyhall.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Hotels ==
There are two hotels located in County Hall:

* [[Premier Inn]], Premier Inn London County Hall hotel<ref>{{Cite web|title=PREMIER INN LONDON COUNTY HALL HOTEL - Updated 2021 Prices, Reviews, and Photos|url=http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186338-d210361-Reviews-Premier_Inn_London_County_Hall_hotel-London_England.html|access-date=2021-05-11|website=Tripadvisor|language=en-GB}}</ref>

* [[Marriott Hotels & Resorts|Marriott]], [[London Marriott Hotel County Hall]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=London Marriott Hotel County Hall|url=https://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/lonch-london-marriott-hotel-county-hall/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=Marriott International|language=en-GB}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|County Hall, London}}
*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=47045 Survey of London entry]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150602104919/http://www.blitzandblight.com/1-westminster-bridge Blitzandblight] (archive)

{{London County Council}}
{{Greater London Council}}
{{London landmarks}}
{{Portal bar|Architecture|London}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Local government buildings in London]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures on the River Thames]]
[[Category:Edwardian architecture in London]]
[[Category:City and town halls in London|London]]
[[Category:Baroque Revival architecture]]
[[Category:London County Council]]
[[Category:Greater London Council]]
[[Category:Exhibition and conference centres in London]]
[[Category:County halls in England|L]]
[[Category:History of the London Borough of Lambeth]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in the London Borough of Lambeth]]
[[Category:Government buildings completed in 1939]]