Originally opened in 1922 as the headquarters of London’s elected County Council, County Hall is now a popular entertainment attraction and business center along London’s Southbank. Construction began on the massive six-story building in 1911, and it was designed by Ralph Knott in the ‘Edwardian Baroque’ style. Knott, who also worked with architect Sir Aston Webb in designing the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace, Admiralty Arch and the Victoria and Albert Museum, won the commission to design County Hall at the young age of 29. The building is faced in Portland stone and was opened in 1922 by King George V. Today, County Hall attracts over 17 million visitors each year. In addition to several business offices, two hotels and several restaurants, the building also houses: a family entertainment centre with bowling, bumper-cars and video-games; the ticket office and information center for the London Eye; and the Sea Life London Aquarium.
- London County Hall
- The Riverside Building, London SE1 7PB
- www.londoncountyhall.com
- Underground: Waterloo, Embankment, Charing Cross or Westminster