Kingston Upon Thames Crown Court Kingston Upon Thames

Ever found yourself in Kingston Upon Thames, wondering what that grand old building is all about? Let me spill the beans on Kingston Upon Thames Crown Court, because, let's face it, courtrooms aren't just for serious stuff, they're full of quirks and stories that'll make your eyebrows dance.

First things first, what's with the name?

Kingston Upon Thames, you ask? Well, it's not as fancy as it sounds. 'Upon Thames' just means it's on the River Thames, and 'Kingston'? That's because it was once the king's town, back when Anglo-Saxons ruled the roost. Fancy, huh?

Now, let's talk architecture

This courtroom's not your average box with a judge's bench. Oh no, it's a Grade II listed building, which means it's got serious historical chops. It was designed by Edward Mountford, the same guy who gave us the Old Bailey. But here's where it gets fun - it's got a red brick exterior with these crazy intricate carvings. Ever seen a building with a face carved into its wall? Yep, this one's got that.

Courtroom shenanigans

Alright, so you might not expect laughter in a courtroom, but trust me, it happens. There was this one time, a guy was on trial for theft, and he decided to represent himself. His defense? He claimed he was a time traveler and the stuff he 'stole' was actually his from the future. The judge, trying to keep a straight face, asked, "So, you're saying you're a time-traveling thief?" The courtroom erupted. Now that's a day in court!

But it's not all laughs

This courtroom's seen its fair share of serious cases too. It's handled murders, frauds, you name it. But here's something you might not know - it's also been used for coroner's inquests. Ever wondered what happens to a body after a suspicious death? Well, this is where it happens. Eerie, right?

When court's out

You might think that once the gavel falls, the building goes quiet. But no, this place has a secret life. It's been used as a film location! Remember 'The Sweeney'? Or 'Vera Drake'? Yep, they were both filmed here. And get this, it's even been used as a venue for concerts. Imagine, standing where criminals once stood, singing your heart out. Now that's a twist on 'carrying a tune'.

And finally, the ghost story

No historic building would be complete without a ghost story, right? This one's got a few, but my favorite's the one about the crying woman. Some say she's the spirit of a woman who was wrongly accused and hanged. Others say she's just a mischievous poltergeist. Either way, it's enough to make you look twice when you walk past at night.

So there you have it, Kingston Upon Thames Crown Court - it's not just a courtroom, it's a time capsule of history, a stage for the dramatic, and a home to the unexplained. Next time you're in Kingston, give it a wave. You never know who (or what) might be looking back.