The Town Hall was built by former mayor of Tiverton Samuel Garth on the site of the demolished medieval Guildhall, which in turn was built on the sit of the old St Thomas's Chapel. The building was designed in the Renaissance style by Bristolian Henry Lloyd, who also designed Bristol Joint Station and Exeter St David’s railway station. The Town Hall's design comprises an asymmetrical main frontage on the corner of St Andrew Street and Angel Hill. In 1974 the local seat of government moved from the Town Hall to The Great House in St Peter Street.
ATTRACTIONS
Tiverton Town Hall
attractions
food & drink
historic churches
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Built in 1864, Tiverton Town Hall is now a Grade II listed building and home to Tiverton's Citizens Advice Bureau and is used for Tiverton Town Council meetings. A comprehensive refurbishment project was undertaken by Jonathan Rhind Architects which was completed at the end of December 2006.
There are many important works of art on display in the Town Hall including 3rd Viscount Palmerston (later to become Prime Minister) by William Thomas Roden. In the Mayoralty Room is a portrtait of local industrialist Sir John Heathcoat who was responsible for the prosperity of Tiverton by establishing up Heathcoat Lace Factory. Other portraits include King George I by Godfrey Kneller and KIng George III by Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Address
Tiverton Town Hall, St Andrew Street, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 6PG
Historic Categorisations and Statutes
Statutory Heritage Listing
Grade: II (Grade Two). This confirms the building is of "special interest, warranting every effort to preserve it."
List Entry Number: 1384954
Date First Listed: February 12, 1952
Significance: A major work by the prominent local architect Henry Lloyd. It is an assertive example of Victorian civic architecture in the French Renaissance style, featuring a high mansard roof, a distinctive clock tower, and elaborate stone dressings that symbolize the town's 19th-century municipal confidence.
Local Designations
Tiverton Conservation Area: Occupies a high-profile "gateway" position within the Tiverton Conservation Area, overlooking the River Exe and forming a landmark silhouette alongside the neighboring Exe Bridge.
Civic Hub: Remains the administrative and ceremonial heart of the town, housing the Mayor's Parlour and the Council Chamber.
Site Components & Heritage Records
The Clock Tower: A prominent four-stage tower that serves as a visual focal point for the town center.
The Council Chamber: Notable for its fine interior wood paneling and a significant collection of civic portraits, including works by Sir Joshua Reynolds (who was born nearby in Plympton).
The Mayoralty Room: A grand ceremonial space used for official functions and weddings.
Historic Environment Record (HER): Indexed in the Devon & Dartmoor HER under ID MDV1361.
Chronology of Historic Uses
1864: Construction began on the site of the former "Guildhall" to provide a more modern and grander home for the borough administration.
1867: Formally opened; the building originally housed the town’s police station and cells in the basement, the magistrate's court, and the municipal offices.
1974: Ownership and use shifted following the local government reorganization, though it remained the seat of the newly formed Tiverton Town Council.
2006: Extensive interior and exterior restoration work was completed to maintain the Victorian masonry and clock mechanism.
Current/Recent: Continues to serve as the headquarters for Tiverton Town Council, a venue for civil ceremonies, and a meeting place for local organizations.
Useful Links
Tiverton Town Hall (Opens in new window) Provides information centred on the civic, historical, and functional aspects of the Town Hall. Key information available for visitors includes:
Venue Hire & Facilities
Hiring the Civic Suite (Council Chamber and Mayoralty Room).
Details on hire rates, capacities, and technical equipment.
Art & Collections
Information on historic royal portraits and local figure paintings.
Guidance on booking appointments to view the collections.
Civic Governance
Meeting calendars, agendas, and public minutes.
Instructions for attending public council meetings.
History & Architecture
Background on the Grade II listed 1864 Renaissance-style building.
Information on the building's historical role in the community.
Accessibility
Town Resources
Contact & Enquiries
