Description

SS42NE
842/2/10003
26-JUN-01

BIDEFORD
THE QUAY
Bideford Arts Centre

GV
II

Technical school; now arts centre. Dated 1896; by G. Malam Wilson of Bideford. Red brick. Slate roof with parapeted gable ends. Brick stacks at rear.
PLAN: L-shaped on plan, with classrooms to north and east, entrance on south side opening onto small courtyard with office/master's house to SW.
Free Gothic style.
EXTERIOR: 2 lofty storeys; office/master's house wing lower. Asymmetrical principal north front of three bays divided by pilasters topped by ball finials above the parapet, the outer bays gabled with large 4-centred arch windows, the left wider and full height, both with ogee hoodmoulds with pinnacles rising through the gables; ground floor centre and right large segmental headed windows, centre first floor windows have shaped brick aprons; moulded brick strings at floor and cill levels. The strings continue around left return [E], 4 bays, ground floor blind with segmental heads, first floor with shaped brick aprons. South gable has two large segmental headed ground floor windows on right, projecting brick porch on left with 4-centred arch, panelled double doors, fanlight and ball finial to scrolled parapet; segmental headed window above and large stone plaque with shaped head inscribed with date, shield, Municipal Technical Schools, name of mayor and secretary, builder and architect G. Malam Wilson. Lower 2 storey, 2-bay office/master's house facing yard on left [SW] with moulded brick strings and segmental headed ground floor windows. The windows have moulded wooden frames with mullion and transoms, large north window with stained glass at head. Lower rear wing at rear [SW].
INTERIOR: Narrow open-well staircase with turned wooden balusters and newels and carved tread ends, doorways with reeded architraves. Studios and classrooms on first floor open to roofs with exposed iron tie trusses.
This is a good and largely complete example of an 1890s technical school.
SOURCES: [1] Buildings of England, p.178. [2] Kelly's Directory, 1897 and 1910.

Listing NGR: SS4550326868

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26538412

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.

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