[1] The building was commissioned by Sir George Treby (1643–1700) and Richard Strode (1638–1707), the local members of parliament, to replace an earlier guildhall which dated from the 13th century.

The openings on the ground floor were formed by Tuscan order columns supporting relieving arches, voussoirs and keystones, while the first floor was fenestrated by three sash windows separated by heraldic panels displaying the coats of arms of Sir George Treby and Sir Thomas Trevor.

[7] The painter, Sir Joshua Reynolds, was elected mayor of Plympton in 1773 and presented a self-portrait to the borough, to be hung in the guildhall.

[11] In order to raise funds, its remaining members sold the self-portrait of Reynolds to George Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont in 1837.

[7] The borough council was formally abolished under the Municipal Corporations Act 1883,[12] and, since then, the building has operated as a community events venue.