ONE of Chard’s most historic buildings – the Old Courthouse – will be opened to the public as part of the town’s Summer Festival.

The Old Courthouse is in Fore Street and is hidden from view from the street, but on Saturday, July 18, it will be open to visitors from 17th 10am to 1pm.

Historical evidence shows that the building was in existence around the 16th and 17th Centuries and that it was used as a court of justice.

A report carried out by the Exeter-based Keystone Historic Buildings Consultants said: “The court room is in a well-preserved block that retains its through passage and ranks as one of the most important high-status and complete early 17th Century spaces in Somerset, complete with conserved plasterwork on a lavish scale.”

The property is now in private ownership, but the Chard Town Team has been given permission to open it up to visitors as part of the Summer Festival.

Jenny Kenton, of Chard Town Team, said: “This will give people a great opportunity to have a look at a real piece of Chard history.

“It is not often people get the chance to have a look – so I would definitely encourage people to come along.”

There have long been suggestions that Judge Jeffreys used the court building at the Bloody Assizes of 1685 in the aftermath of the Battle of Sedgemoor which ended the Monmouth Rebellion – but these stories are incorrect.

The town was briefly affected by the Monmouth Rebellion as the Duke’s army marched through on their way to their defeat at the Battle of Sedgemoor near Bridgwater.

Chard people escaped lightly in the retribution of Judge Jeffreys’ Bloody Assizes – although 12 rebels were brought to the town and hanged at the town.