The Shire Hall in Monmouth has recently undergone a £4.5m project to restore the magnificent Grade I* listed building. Built in 1724 as the Court of Assizes and Quarter Sessions, County administrative centre and market place, the building has been refurbished to a very high standard of facilities, including a lift to all floors, function rooms, wi-fi connections and catering facilities. The reception area also incorporates a visitor information area and retail section, selling local gifts and providing free leaflets to visitors to the area. The history and heritage of this very important building has not been lost – visitors can step back in time to the famous Chartist Trials of 1840 in courtroom number 1 and visit the prisoners in the basement holding cells.