Shire Hall Gallery

The Shire Hall Gallery is the largest venue in Staffordshire dedicated to providing access to, and promoting the visual arts and crafts. Situated in a fascinating Grade II listed building formerly used as the Crown Court the Shire Hall Gallery offers visitors a mixture of old and new with something for everyone! 


View our full Contact Details, Access information, Directions and Map

The Shire Hall Gallery (image by Christopher Beech)

At the Shire Hall Gallery our aim is to inspire, stimulate and sometimes challenge you by providing a constantly changing exhibition programme featuring a wide variety of subjects, artists and styles of art.  We also have a smaller area dedicated to promoting and selling artists work, everything from fine watercolours to cutting-edge contemporary jewellery.

Staffordshire Arts & Museum Service also commission specialist pieces of work from artists for permanent or temporary exhibition at the Shire Hall Gallery.

You can enjoy a variety of activities and events that accompany the exhibitions to help you find out more or to give you an opportunity to get making yourself - and you can also visit our brand new Multi-Sensory Room where you can relax or engage in stimulating play. 

The Shire Hall Gallery Craft Shop offers you the opportunity to buy the best contemporary crafts being produced today. Our range is so good we are listed on the national register of Craft Shops guaranteeing you unique high quality items. 

At the Shire Hall you can also visit the Historic Court Room where many a villain was sent down! If you are a teacher and would like to arrange a visit, you can download our 'Court in Action' packs.

Or why not try the Balcony Coffee Bar where you can relax and enjoy a view over the Great Hall with a superb collection of teas, coffees, cakes and savouries. 

Hire of the Gallery facilities, including the Courtroom and Great Hall, is also available.

If you have an interest in the arts why not join the Friends of the Shire Hall Gallery and enjoy discounts and access to special events? 

As part of our commitment to provide excellent customer service we regularly survey visitors to the Shire Hall Gallery.  For details of our survey results see our Exhibitions Archive pages.

To speak to a member of staff about any of the Shire Hall Gallery services telephone 01785 278345, or see our Contacts page for further details.

 

Families

The Shire Hall Gallery is a Family Friendly venue and welcomes visitors with children. The Gallery provides a children's activity area with opportunities for drawing, colouring and play.  The children's activity area is changed regularly to reflect the themes of our exhibitions. 

Parents and carers are welcome to bring pushchairs into the Gallery. 

Baby changing facilities are available.

Activities and Workshops are available for children and families, many of these activities are free! 

The Balcony Coffee Bar also welcomes families, highchairs and bottle-warming are available. 

Visitors with disabilities

At the Shire Hall Gallery we aim to welcome all visitors with disabilities.  The Gallery area is wheelchair accessible and exhibition space, craft shop, children's activity area and reception desk are all on one level.  The Balcony Coffee Bar (located on the second floor) is accessible via a wheelchair lift, and can also be accessed from the Shire Hall library.  Limited wheelchair access is also available in the Court Room.

Toilet facilities are available for wheelchair users and those with impaired mobility.
The Shire Hall Gallery reception desk has a hearing induction loop available.
Information can be provided on request in large print or Braille.
Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome. 

The Gallery now offers a Multi-Sensory room which allows visitors to experience different light, sound and tactile sensations.  Our aim is to make this room available for use by all of our visitors, and we hope that it will be of particular interest to visitors of all ages with physical, visual and hearing impairments.

Contact the Shire Hall Gallery for futher information on 01785 278345

View our full Contact Details, Access information, Directions and Map

Last Modified: 14/07/2008 13:58:41
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