County Hall is the main government building for the County of Surrey. It was opened 13 November 1893, and is located in Kingston upon Thames. Surrey is a county in southern England, part of the South East England region and one of the Home Counties. ... Kingston upon Thames, part of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, is an ancient market town where Saxon kings were crowned, and is now a lively suburb of London. ...

History

County hall was designed by Charles Henry Howell, County Surveyor and partner in Howell and Brooks. It was built by the firm Higgs and Hill. It was build between 1891 and 1893. It was opened on 13 November 1893, with bands entertaining invited guests.

The building was extended in 1930 (opened by the Duke of Gloucester) and again in 1938, the Ashcombe Block, creating a quadrangle behind the entrance. The Ashcombe block was destroyed by a flying bomb in July 1944, and rebuilt in 1953. The building was further extended in 1963 and 1982, completing a second quadrangle.

Today

Surrrey Council Chamber in County Hall

County Hall remains an imposing landmark in Kingston. It contains an imposing clock tower entrance, sculptures, plaques of Surrey MP's and Lord Sheriffs, and the grand Council Chamber. It is located on Penrhyn Road, named in honour of the first Chairman of the County Council.

Trivia

• County Hall, due to local government reorganisation, is no longer in the county of Surrey.

References

County material, published by Chairman's office from County Archivist Dr David Robinson