County Hall Including Terraces and Fountain, Hertford, Hertfordshire

Description

HERTFORD

TL3211NW PEG'S LANE
817-1/21/166 (North side)
County Hall including terraces and
fountain

GV II*

County Council Offices, Council Chamber and Committee Rooms.
1935-39. Architects James and Bywaters and Rowland Pierce.
Buff-brown brick, laid to English Garden Wall, Flemish Garden
Wall and one-third Stretcher bonds. Portland stone dressings,
plinths, bands, cornices, pilasters and arches. Brown handmade
tile roofs behind brick parapets with stone copings. Flat roof
to Council Chamber. Copper covered cupola over main entrance.
STYLE: design influenced by Swedish Romantic and Neo-classical
architecture of the earlier C20, and the work of Sir John
Soane.
PLAN/EXTERIOR: 3-storey offices above basements (4 storeys on
north side of north block due to falling ground) facing
quadrangle approached from cloistered loggia under centre of
south elevation. Main entrance at left (west) of south
elevation and projecting single storey council chamber beyond.
South elevation, principal feature is entrance portico, stone
faced, and of 3 bays, divided by tall fluted pilaster strip
columns without capitals, above which is a frieze with the
inscription "Tertium iam annum regnante Georgio VI haec curia
aedificata est". Cornice above, with brick parapet and
responds carrying the line of the pilasters upwards, stone
caps and cornice. Parapet terminated with stone blocks flush
set in brick, with stone copings, and 4 plain urns standing on
inverted Ionic capitals set above the pilasters.
Ground floor has central hardwood paired outer doors, each
with 4 raised octagonal panels, within raised flat stone
architraves, with a recess and pilasters set back from the
face of the main fluted pilasters. Outer bays similarly
treated with multi-paned sash windows.
Entrance above 8 shallow stone steps, upper 3 contained
between Portland stone plinths upon which are set bronze harts
(Sculptor Stephen Elson), installed 1989 to commemorate the
centenary of the County Council. (It had originally been
intended to place sculptures by Alfred Hardiman in this
position, but the castings were destroyed by wartime bombing,
and although a new plaster cast was obtained from the clay
models which remained in Hardiman's studio after his death,
the cost of casting was never authorised). Stone balustrades
either side, with fluted faced rectangular balusters.

First floor treated as piano nobile with pilaster strips
continuing upwards as rectangular fluted antae. Wrought-iron
balcony fronts. Face of building set back, with tall
multi-paned sashes with raised flat stone architraves, with
carved stone panels above, with urn motifs. Soffit stone, with
shallow coffering subdivided into square panels. Centre of
portico marked on roof by copper-clad cupola, with rectangular
base, with projecting top, inverted scroll motifs, and
circular base to upper part, which has 8 attenuated Tuscan
Doric columns, plain entablature and cornice, and weathervane
with "HCC" motif on moulded finial. To the right of the
portico is a tall first floor multi-pane sash window with a
stone surround and a recessed panel above, with the completion
date "AD MCMXXXIX" (1939). Projecting wrought-iron balcony
front below the window. On ground floor below are 3 small
multi-pane sash windows.
To the right, the centre of the south elevation has an 11-bay
arched loggia-cloister which forms a hypostyle undercroft
below the committee-room suite on the first floor. Plain stone
piers run uninterrupted into the moulded extrados of the
semicircular arches, which are capped by brick soldier arches.
Within the loggia the piers define square bays with
quadripartite brick groined cross vaulting. On the first floor
are 7 widely spaced long multi-pane sash windows, set
alternately above the piers and bay centres of the loggia
below, and having raised flat stone surrounds, with projecting
sills and heads. Brickwork of elevation laid to English Garden
Wall bond, with flush soldier band about 1m below parapet
level, and flush header band immediately below the projecting
unmoulded stone coping. Tiled roof behind parapet, with
slablike brick chimneystacks, with raised panels, and moulded
stone copings, on ridgeline in position corresponding with the
outer reveals of the loggia.
The far right of the elevation has three storeys above a
basement, corresponding in height with the two storeys of the
remainder. Multi-pane windows, 9 panes height on ground floor,
6 panes on first and second floors, recessed into brickwork,
with rubbed flat arches above ground and first-floor windows,
and continuous soldier band running across heads of
second-floor windows. Basement windows marked by Portland
stone lintels raised on Portland stone impost bands.
The remaining outer elevations are plain, generally brick with
minimal stone dressings. East elevation three storeys of
multi-pane sash windows, with rubbed heads above stone impost
bands on ground floor, rubbed brick arches above first floor,
and continuous soldier band above second-floor windows, beyond
a blank brick left-hand end, with entrances in the second bay
from the left and third bay from the right.

Left-hand entrance has twin-leaf hardwood panelled outer doors
with blank panel above with three carved harts' heads, and
glazed inner doors. Raised flat stone outer surround with
coved stone cornice above.
First-floor landing window has flat stone surround, projecting
pilasters with recessed panels, plain frieze, projecting
cornice, with stone urns flanking blank recess in brickwork,
with rubbed brick arch above corresponding to the heads of the
first-floor windows.
The right-hand entrance has twin leaf hardwood outer doors set
in a raised stone surround, with cornice at level of top of
impost band. First floor landing window above dropped within
recess in brickwork, with blank panel above and rubbed flat
arch corresponding with the level of the first floor heads.
Portland stone dwarf walls, with iron grilles conceal basement
boiler room. Entrances flanked by return walls with projecting
copings, with three shallow stone steps.
North elevation faces landscaped courtyard created during
construction of major extensions in 1968-76, with links at
left and right through the projecting ends. These extensions
are not of special interest.
The main north elevation is four storeys, with the basement
running out to the reduced ground level. Multi-pane sash
windows, 4-pane width contrasting with 3 panes on upper
floors, recessed in brickwork, with Portland stone impost band
upon which is set Portland stone lintels over openings.
Central glazed doors with narrow stone surround. First
(ground)-floor windows set in arched recesses corresponding in
width to ground-floor windows below. Semicircular soldier
arches springing from stone impost band. Second (first)-floor
windows with rubbed brick flat arches above, third
(second)-floor windows below continuous soldier band, brick
parapet above partly conceals tiled roof, hipped at ends,
which is a crown roof with a flat central portion.
Main west elevation 3 storeys above basement, which has
multi-pane sash windows 4-pane width with Portland stone
impost band and lintels, in area behind Portland stone curbing
with cast-iron railings with Neandrian archaic Greek Ionic
scroll motifs on balusters. Ground floor multi-pane sashes
3-pane width with stone sills, set in recessed blank brick
surrounds corresponding in width to basement windows, stone
impost band with rubbed brick flat arches above. First and
second floor multi-pane sash windows respectively below arches
and continuous soldier band.
Entrance three bays from left has twin leaf hardwood panelled
outer doors and glazed inner doors set in stone doorcase with
unfluted Ionic columns without bases against Tuscan responds,
entablatures above columns with moulded canopy, above which

are two plain urns. Carved stone panel with hart couchant
above door surround. Brick parapet to tiled roof, hipped at
north end, with ridge broken by two brick slab chimneystacks.
Stone banded surround to first-floor landing window above.
Entrance above four shallow stone steps, with flanking stone
dwarf walls with Portland stone curbs runs along this
elevation, blocked at the right-hand (south) end by the
projecting Council Chamber, which leads from the square block
with stone bands and three attic windows which is faced by the
entrance portico on its south side, above which rises the
cupola already described.
Council Chamber flat-roofed, recessed link, projecting bays
and sweeping semicircular south end, its height corresponding
with two and a half storeys on the main building. Brick walls
English Garden Wall bond with intermediate stretcher courses
to one-third bond. Portland stone plinth, doorcases, window
dressings, band and coping. Subsidiary entrance from west
terrace into north wall. Twin leaf hardwood doors with 4
square glazed openings in each, projecting flat stone
surround, band cornice, and semicircular tympanum with the
County Council crest raised and carved. 9 long windows around
perimeter, all with leaded lights and metal frames, set in
stone surrounds, those in rectangular east end bay having
carved stone panels beneath; remainder having recess in
brickwork above, and plain octagonal stone discs below. In
centre of west end public entrance has twin leaf recessed
hardwood doors, with projecting stone architrave and surround,
and cornice band which forms sill to window above.
Central quadrangle approached through vaulted undercroft to
south block described above. West, north and east blocks three
storeys above basement with attics, brick, English Garden Wall
bond. Handmade tile roof with flat-roofed casement dormer
windows with tilehung cheeks, spaced to correspond with
alternate bays of windows below. Basement windows 4-pane
width, with Portland stone lintels raised on stone impost
blocks, ground, first- and second-floor windows three pane
width, those on ground and first floor having rubbed arches
above, second-floor windows having continuous stone band below
and continuous soldier band above.
Entrance in centre of south face of north block, above 5
shallow stone steps, upper 3 between low stone plinths, with
iron railings on Neandrian supports, area railings have longer
balusters with similar style caps. Twin leaf hardwood doors, 6
fielded panels with bolection surrounds, and raised octagonal
discs. Ornamental fanlight above, with carved scrollwork
issuing from Neandrian capital, at top is shield bearing
County Council arms in relief. Stone doorcase flanked by
slender attenuated applied Tuscan columns, with semicircular

projecting drums above, flanking plain frieze above door, with
projecting band cornice, and stone urns above columns.
South block, north face has arched undercroft on ground floor
with stone raised shields on rectangular tablets above
adjacent pairs of arches, with tall first-floor sash windows
in recessed stone surrounds in third, sixth and ninth bays.
Carved stone panels above windows, and continuous band cornice
with urns flanking reveals of window recesses below. Blank
brick second floor set back above flat roof over first floor,
with continuous soldier band and brick dentil eaves.
INTERIOR: principal interiors are Entrance Hall, Staircase
Hall, Vestibule and Council Chamber on ground floor, and
Ballroom, Chairman's Room and Committee Room suite on first
floor. All were designed and detailed by the architects, and
purpose-designed fittings and furniture were installed.
Entrance Hall subdivided into 3 by 3 rectangular bays by
octagonal columns, inner foyer opposite windows raised above 2
stone steps, with gilt bonze ornamental railings. Walls lined
throughout in cream marble, with floor of cream and light
brown sandstone. Plaster ceiling divided into panels by cased
beams, with shallow glazed bowl light fitting in the centre of
each. Central flight of 6 stone steps leads down through
staircase hall and beneath second flight to vestibule and
council chamber. Vestibule takes the form of transverse
corridor, with vaulted domed ends, influenced by Soane. Centre
has barrel vaulted ceiling divided by plaster bands into
shallow rectangular panels, with glazed laylights in centre.
Lighting from 4 elongated bronze reflector bowls on inverted
Ionic volutes set on painted wood reeded columns with black
granite plinths, also used for skirtings. Floors are cream
travertine marble with grey bands and recesses for carpets.
The square end chambers are divided off by semicircular arches
with reeded reveals and intrados, matched by shallow recesses
on the other three walls. Shallow saucer-domed ceiling on
plain pendentives, with circular laylight with inverted
saucers of obscured glass. Immediately below are light
fittings of bowls suspended from 8 bronze rods. At north end
are twin leaf glazed doors leading from subsidiary entrance
from terrace. In west walls of each end chamber twin leaf
doors covered in blue leather lead into council chamber.
Council chamber has a polygonal west end, with a rectangular
east bay. The lower walls are panelled in polished hardwood,
with bolection mouldings, each bay separated by slim concave
curved pilasters, with Greek Key capitals. Frieze has Greek
Key stylised ornament made up of an "H" flanked by normal and
reversed "C", the initials "HCC", plain entablature above.
Upper walls formed from blocks of dense artificial stone with
light-coloured flush joints. Windows in centre of each side

have tinted leaded glazing, as background to armorial bearings
of Royal Family and Hertfordshire Lord Lieutenants. Ceiling
has cornice, bands and elliptical coving and is divided into
panels, laylights above Chairman's rostrum.
Fittings include rostrum with raised semicircular baldacchino
above, with compass point motif in marquetry, and carved
Hertfordshire County Council arms. Members' seats in curved
rows, with blue leather upholstery, polished hardwood frontals
and desks; beyond aisle is perimeter seating for press and
public. Lighting columns rise from curved responds on rear
bank of seating. Reeded columns support shallow bronze saucer
reflectors with concave acid-etched glass bowls above.
Staircase from entrance hall is of open well plan, with two
major flights, quarter landings, and central minor flight with
landing. Sandstone treads and risers matching Entrance Hall
floor and continuing as surround to floor of Ballroom on first
floor. Closed strings of moulded cream marble. Gilt bronze
handrails with upright and inverted Neadrian volutes on
alternate baluster. Ceiling plaster, with reeded flat surround
to large central glazed laylight filled with 5 by 6 inverted
obscure glazed pyramids. Carved gilt wood bracket light
fittings with inverted bell glass shades.
Ballroom forms principal foyer of first floor giving access to
Committee corridor, and to first floor of offices in west
wing. The room rises through two floors, and is behind the
entrance portico, with 3 bays, each with 1 long sash window
looking out on to recessed balcony. It is divided from the
staircase by cream marble faced reeded antae and responds,
without bases or capitals, with a fascia at second-floor level
with a moulded plaster fret motif which continues along the
floor of the balcony along the inner north wall, which
projects above flat brackets. Balcony rail in gilt bronze with
moulded rail and circular rod balusters, with Neandrian
voluted balusters with reeded columns at intervals. Below
balcony is recess defined by screen formed by coupled
elongated gilt bronze columns. In wall behind twin leaf glazed
hardwood doors, each with 3 square glazed panels, in cream
marble architraves lead to central corridor of west wing: in
left-hand bay of east wall similar doors lead to the committee
corridor. The Ballroom ceiling has a moulded plaster cornice
and a surround with fret ornament, and a second cornice around
the recessed centre. This has vigorously modelled gilded
plaster scrollwork in two bands, which at ends coil around the
ceiling roses of the chandeliers of gilded wood, with central
column and 8 scroll branches, all carved and with inverted
bell glass shades. In centre of ceiling is a laylight beneath
the external cupola base. It has a raised rectangular plaster
surround with reeded panels and a cabled roll, a recessed

inner surround with rosettes. The glazed laylight is formed of
light metal bars, with tapered panels to give a trompe d'oeil
effect of greater depth, with a centre of 6 inverted glazed
pyramids. Loose furniture in the Ballroom included
purpose-designed benches with scroll ends.
The octagonal Chairman's Room takes access from the Committee
corridor. Fire surround of polished fossil marble and green
marble, with an inset electric fire. Doors are white-painted
flush, and 3 panel with reeding and marquetry inlay to give
the illusion of raised fielded panels. Cornice with fret
ornamented frieze and shallow vaulted ceiling with gilt wood
chandelier. Original loose furniture , chairs and desk remains
in room. Cloakroom adjoining with white Vitrolite panelling
and original Ponifex Emmanuel fittings.
Three Committee Rooms, A, B and C are each entered by double
doors from the Committee corridor. They are arranged enfilade
with sliding double leaf panelled doors to enable use as one
long space. Each Committee Room has panelled hardwood dado and
walls, with alternately flush and recessed bays between
elongated Ionic pilasters, with tall sash windows in alternate
bays of outer walls. Entablature with modillion cornice, and
segmental profile plaster ceiling, with coved sides, divided
into square panels by shallow projecting bands. Committee Room
A has a recess at west end with a polished cream and brown
marble fireplace with a bolection surround, and opening
flanked by twin downward tapering pilasters. Original
furniture includes Committee tables and chairs
SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: in centre of courtyard is a fountain with
a raised scalloped centre, 12 sided outwards curving basin,
with recessed plinth, on a raised circular step; raised stone
curbs to lawns at either side.
HISTORICAL NOTE: County Hall resulted from the decision of the
County Council to seek a unified headquarters. The Clerk to
the Council, a Hertford solicitor Sir Charles Longmore
purchased Bailey Hall in 1930 to supplement the inadequate
Shire Hall in Fore Street, and in 1934 Leahoe House with its
extensive grounds was purchased. The following year an
architectural competition under the assessor Robert Atkinson
was organised, and produced 62 entries. The winners, James and
Bywaters and Rowland Pierce were also successful in the
competitions for Norwich City Hall and Slough Town Hall. The
Hertford competition was one of the most important of the
1930s, and the result, slightly modified from the competition
plans represented a skilful blend of progressive classicism
with Swedish accent. A separate block for the Motor Tax
department and County Library was also designed by the same
architects and built at the same time. Construction began in
Spring 1937 by C Miskin & Son of St Albans with an approved

tender of »288,593. Work accelerated in the summer of 1939 to
ensure completion before the outbreak of the Second World War,
and the building was opened without ceremony. By the early
1960s the accommodation was overcrowded, and major extensions
were designed by the County Architect Geoffrey Fardell, and
built 1969-75 in four phases, again with Miskins as
contractors.
(Architects' Journal: The Hertford Competition: London: 1935-:
621-628; James and Bywaters with Rowland Pierce: Plans of
County Hall Main Building, Motor Taxation and Library B:
1935-1940: OFF ACC556NOS30A-FGJ; Building: Architecture at the
Royal Academy: 1937-: 191; Hertfordshire Countryside: Walne P:
County Hall - a home that keeps on growing: Letchworth:
1946-1973: 43-44; The Buildings of England: Pevsner N:
Hertfordshire: Harmondsworth: 1977-: 186; Sheldrick G: The
Hart Reguardant: Hertford: 1989-: 46-54; Walne P: A Guide to
County Hall: Hertford: 1980-).

Listing NGR: TL3238111943

External Links

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British Listed Buildings

History in Structure

County Hall Including Terraces and Fountain

A Grade II* Listed Building in Hertford, Hertfordshire

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