The original Town Hall opened in 1910 – the heyday of Edwardian architecture and British power. The building reflected a new confidence and wealth in the Borough and the Council spent lavishly on fine architects, craftsmen and artists to decorate it. More building was commissioned in the 1930s and this splendid addition contains the Art-Deco interiors which have made Town Hall a famous film location (Elijah Wood, Keira Knightley, Patrick Stewart and Emma Thompson have all filmed here).
Pevsener, the Architectural Bible of Britain, called the internal decoration ‘subtle but expensive Deco style’. Australian walnut wood was used to panel the council chamber, mahogany in the mayoral office, green and white marble lined the staircase, while even the air vents were covered with exquisitely patterned brass grilles.
Look for:
- The sculpture on the frontage to Cambridge Heath Road by Henry Poole, (other works by him can be seen in Westminster Central Hall and St Paul’s Cathedral).
- De Bathonia coat of Arms in windows facing Patriot Square: De Bathonia was a local nobleman in the time of Henry III.
- Stained glass windows and carvings showing scenes from the ballad of the Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green.
- Films: we have a library of films with scenes shot in Town Hall – all guests are welcome to borrow any of these from reception.
