Description

ST COLUMB MAJOR ST COLUMB MAJOR SW 9063-9163 17/254 The Retreat Hospital - II

Workhouse, now hospital. Circa 1840, with some alterations and additions of C20. Coursed elvan stone rubble with granite dressings. Some granite ashlar. Slate roofs with lead rolls to hips and ridge; the roofs are hipped, with stacks with rendered shafts. Plan: The workhouse is arranged in 3 parallel ranges. The front range has a central gateway, with single storey wing to each side, containing warden's accommodation and offices. The main workhouse is the central range; this has a central polygonal tower, with entrance hall at ground floor and kitchen wing to rear. To right and left is a wing, containing a hall, one side for men and one for women, with a cross wing at the end of each side, for living and sleeping accommodation. The rear range is a long block of uncertain function, probably originally containing work rooms. The plan is in accord with the standard functions of a C19 workhouse, with some additions of C20 which do not obscure the original layout. Exterior: The front range is symmetrical single storey. The entrance is in a tall centrepiece, with pediment with large modillions, and has a round arch with voussoirs and rusticated jambs with imposts, and a fine pair of C19 cast iron gates with knob finials; round vault inside, with doors and windows. The wing to each side is of 2:3:2 bays, the central bays broken forward, with three 12-pane sashes with voussoirs and keystones. Outer bays have similar 12-pane sashes. One window to left and right replaced by C20 door. At the rear, there sre hipped dormers with 16-pane, sashes, most ground floor windows are C20 replacements. The main central range has a central octagonal 3-storey tower, with 6-bay wing to right and left, and a cross wing at the end of each wing. The front centre is canted with 1:3:1 bays, all windows are 12-pane sashes with keystones, central 4-panelled door with overlight and cornice. The windows at second floor are round-arched sashes with radial glazing bars. Pediment over with large modillions. Stack to right and left and similar pediment at the sides and rear. The side wings are 2-storey, with some original 16-pane lights remaining, with keystones at first floor, some C20 replacements. The ground floor windows are 15-pane sashes with keystones, some replaced by half-glazed C20 doors. The cross wings each have one bay to front and rear, with similar windows. C20 L-plan wings attached to front. The outer sides of the cross wings have C20 replacement sashes and doors. To rear right is a single storey porter's lodge, with 2 doors and one window; this has been raised in height, and attached to the right-hand cross wing. The rear of the main range has the central tower with 12-pane lights with keystones at first floqr and round arched sashes at second floor, as on front; central window blind. Attached to rear centre is the single storey kitchen, with raised hipped roof with a glazed clerestorey, and C20 additions to each side. The wings to right and left have sashes at ground and first floor as on front, with a C20 2-storey addition to right and left. Single storey C20 addition to the cross wing to right. The rear range is 2-storey, a nearly symmetrical front with 4 bays to centre and a single storey 4-bay wing to right and left. The central 4 bays have single storey canted bay to right and left with sashes, C20 door and sash between; first floor has paired sash to right and left and 2 central sashes. One bay set back to left-and 2 to right, both 2-storey with sashes. The single storey wings to right and left have 3 small gables over tall sashes and C20 doors. Interior: Much altered in C20 for hospital use. In the main range, the central polygonal block has a staircase at each side; food would have been prepared in the kitchens and brought through the entrance hall to each dining hall, with living accommodation at the end.

Listing NGR: SW9166063776

External Links

• Wikidata Q26436956

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