Description

LAUNCESTON

SX3284 DOCKACRE ROAD
660-1/4/55 Kensey Place

GV II

Prison, later workhouse and almshouses. C17, substantially
rebuilt late C18.
Rubble with granite dressings to rear wing basements; brick
laid to Flemish bond front; steep bitumen-grouted steep rag
slate roofs with projecting front eaves; moulded cornice and
hipped returns; brick axial stacks and lateral stacks to outer
walls of rear wings.
Large U-shaped plan built on slope down at rear.
2 storeys over basement; nearly symmetrical 5:3:5-window road
front with gable (formerly a pediment) with oculus over
slightly-projecting central bays. Segmental arches over
various windows including 2 mid C19 six-pane hornless sashes
to 1st floor right; many old 2-light casements with glazing
bars and some C20 casements, 6 x C20 glazed doors; central
doorway to reduced through passage.
Basement of left-hand rear wing has chamfered 4-centred arched
doorway; 2-light hollow-chamfered and mullioned window on its
left. Wing opposite has heightened 4-centred arched doorway
and outer frame of window.
Rear elevation has original rubble masonry to ground floor
with some openings spanned by oak lintels.
History: In 1664 appalling conditions were reported by a
Quaker named Joseph Coale. In 1803 James Neil describes the
prison as "... a scene of filth, rags and wretchedness
scarcely exceeded in the Tollbooth of Glasgow."
In 1834 the last public flogging was administered to
J.K.Lethbridge, who was tied to a tree in the yard, given 25
lashes, and sentenced to 3 months in the Bridewell for
assault.
(Launceston, Past and Present: Robbins AF: Launceston: 1888-:
P.215, 291 AND 306).

Listing NGR: SX3341184617

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26490535

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  [(Bedfordshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1968)