Survey Data
Reg No
20863005
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Previous Name
Victoria Barracks
Original Use
Guard house
In Use As
Museum/gallery
Date
1800 - 1810
Coordinates
168218, 72815
Date Recorded
06/05/2011
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached L-plan single-storey former guard house with breakfront to south, built c.1805. Now in use as a museum with glass extension to north-west and flat-roofed extension to west. Hipped artificial slate roofs with sprocketed eaves to north and cast-iron rainwater goods. Smooth rendered walls with painted quoins to south elevation and carved limestone cornice to breakfront. Stone cladding to extensions. Camber-headed window openings with stone sills, wrought-iron guards and replacement windows. Tripartite windows to south elevation with limestone lintel having keystone, mullions, reveals and sill and replacement windows. Square-headed (east elevation) and camber-headed (west elevation) door openings with replacement doors. Segmental-headed arch to south breakfront dressed limestone voussoirs and replacement doors, sidelights and overlights. Plaque to east elevation. Set immediately within former entrance to barracks and along southern flank of parade ground.
Appraisal
This former guard house dates to the initial building phase at the barracks, which commenced in 1801 and was completed in 1806. The inset plaque records that the area surrounding the barracks may not be built upon, and is an interesting feature. It also records the period of construction and names the architect, John Gibson. Situated immediately inside the entrance to the barracks, it formed an important function in the working life of the complex.