Get married at Powys venue famously used for murder trials

If so, the Judge’s Lodging in Presteigne could be just the place for you. The ancient Grade II listed building dates back to the early 16th century and built its reputation as being the judicial centre for Radnorshire.

One of the most notorious cases heard in the first shire court was the trial of Mary Morgan who, in 1805, was convicted and hanged for killing her newborn child.

Now a museum and tourist attraction, the Powys venue was awarded more than £180,000 in UK Government funding to preserve it as a community asset.

And the trust that owns the building now plans to convert the first floor into holiday lets, introduce a café on the ground floor, with improved disabled access to the garden at the back of the building, and add parking spaces and extra room outdoors.

Fancy getting married in a building that was historically used to deal with murder trials? (Image: Judge's Lodging, Presteigne)

And they hope to offer a truly iconic experience by hosting weddings.

“We are licenced to hold ceremonies in our beautiful historical building on the Powys/Herefordshire border,” said a spokesperson.

“You will find no other venue to be as atmospheric as ours. Huge Victorian rooms and magnificent courtroom. Please see our website for details.

“Ring and check your date with us, book your registrar then confirm and pay your deposit to us.

Share with family and friends and book a wedding day to remember.”

If you’d love the idea of getting married in such an iconic and historic building, contact the Judge’s Lodging on 01544 260650, email info@judgeslodging.org.uk or visit judgeslodging.org.uk.

The building retains much of its original character today. (Image: Judge's Lodging, Presteigne)

History of Presteigne's Judge's Lodgings

The murder in Rhayader of one judge in the 1530s was to change the life of Presteigne forever.

Rhayader, chosen as the venue for the Court of King’s Great Sessions, was not a safe enough place for eminent men to stay and in 1542 Presteigne was chosen as an alternative. Its life as the legal seat of Radnorshire was set for more than 400 years and with it the development of Presteigne into Radnorshire’s county town.

By the early 1800s Presteigne hosted the Great Sessions (called Assizes after 1830) but also the Quarter sessions, where the magistrates met to try minor offences.

There was a Shire Hall for the trials and hearings, a lodging house for the judges and a gaol.

It was in the early-to-mid 19th century that tourism was first thought of as a way to secure the future and legacy of the Judge’s Lodging.

In 1834 it was decided the judge’s apartments were to be rented out when the judge was not in residence. The 1860s saw temperance lectures, brass band concerts, use as the officers’ mess of the Radnor Militia in 1865 and in 1874 it hosted a fancy dress ball to celebrate the opening of the Presteigne railway.

The 20th century saw this multitude of uses continue, with the grand rooms being used for many social functions, meetings, elections and housing the local museum and library.

The increasing popularity of Llandrindod Wells at the end of the 19th century meant that the newly formed county council (1888 Local Government Act) chose the thriving spa town resort as its future meeting place, sealing the fate of Presteigne’s county town status.

It was not until October 1970, however, that the Judge’s Lodging said goodbye to the judges, with the magistrates continuing to deal with lesser criminal matters for another 20 years.

By the early 1990s drastic action was needed if the building was to be saved from irreversible decay or demolition.

Following extensive refurbishment, which involved the restoration of part of the interior of the building to recreate the judge's lodging in its original form, the Shire Hall was reopened by the actor, Robert Hardy, on May 24, 1997.