Throughout the project, young people from schools across Leeds stood in the dock, the witness stand or the public gallery and explored how the justice system worked when Leeds was becoming a powerful and prosperous industrial town. The project officer used real life stories to provide echoes through history and the restored courtroom became an experience that has lived on in visitors’ memories. Taking a journey from the courtroom down into the cells encouraged everyone to become involved in this iconic building and with its engaging subject matter and creative learning activities, the project enabled everyone to develop a sense of what makes Leeds unique. The impact of Crime and Punishment has been sustained and the courtroom and cells are still at the heart of the Town Hall’s activities and tours, used for heritage projects, talks, and as an atmospheric venue for creative arts projects.

“It was great to be inside the town hall and to see the old courtroom. We could even sit on the seats where Victorian people sat and we could wear the clothes that children used to wear. The cells were a bit smelly and scary!” – Jason, age 9.

For more information about current tours please go to the Leeds Town Hall website.