Town Hall

Masham Town Hall is a neoclassical civic building from the early twentieth century, standing on the north side of Little Market Place in the centre of Masham, North Yorkshire, England. It is a Grade II listed building. Today it works as a multi-purpose entertainments hall and community venue, and it once also served as a cinema.

Why does Masham have a town hall?

In the late nineteenth century Masham was growing, and its role as a market town of the Yorkshire Dales was well established. In 1894 it became an urban district, so the local council needed a home of its own. It chose a plot on the north side of Little Market Place, where a row of single-storey houses had stood.

Who designed and paid for it?

The project was made possible by a bequest from Samuel Lister, 1st Baron Masham, an industrialist tied to the area. The architect was John Houfe of Harrogate. The facade is built of ashlar stone in neoclassical style, and the total cost came to 3,751 pounds. The official opening took place on 24 May 1913. Some listings give 1912 as the year of construction, because reference works date the building differently.

A town hall that doubled as a cinema

During the 1920s the hall became a cinema known as the Town Hall Picturedrome. One end of the room was partitioned off to make a stage, and by the Second World War the space was used almost entirely for films. The projection room still survives and is a reminder of that screen history.

What is the Town Hall used for now?

The building is now a multi-purpose entertainments hall available for hire. It operates as a community venue hosting meetings, local events and film nights. Screenings have been held regularly since 2012 with the support of Cine North, which carries the cinema tradition forward.

Visiting the Town Hall in Masham

Pair the building with a stroll around the market place and nearby streets. Masham sits in the valley of the River Ure on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, and its market square is among the largest in the region. The ashlar stonework and the proportions of the neoclassical facade are worth a look from outside at any time of day. The interior is open during events, so check the programme of film nights and shows before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Town Hall in Masham a listed building? Yes, it is listed at Grade II.

When did it open? Officially on 24 May 1913.

Was there a cinema inside? Yes. From the 1920s the Town Hall Picturedrome operated here, and the projection room has survived.

Can I go inside? The hall is hired out for events and hosts film screenings, so access depends on what is scheduled.

Where exactly is it? On the north side of Little Market Place in Masham, North Yorkshire.