Description

WEYMOUTH

SY6778SE RODWELL AVENUE
873-1/27/250 (North side)
Edwards' Homes

GV II

Group of 8 almshouses. 1896. For Sir Henry Edwards. Broadmayne
brick walling, Portland stone ashlar dressings, slate roof.
STYLE: Tudor Revival.
PLAN: a long central range in 7 bays, the central 3 slightly
stepped forward and under a broad gable with central paired
pinnacles, flanked by a single gabled bay brought forward at
each end.
EXTERIOR: 2 storeys, 3-light casements with flush stone
mullions and transom have small square lights with cast-iron
diagonal bars above plain lights with a horizontal bar near
the top and bottom of each; in the bays flanking the central
doorway the windows are returned with a very narrow single
light, an early version of the C20 corner window.
The central bay contains a pair of panelled part-glazed doors
in a pointed segmental head with mouldings, under a 3-light
window with stone apron and sundial, and a plaque with a coat
of arms, all in a pointed arch with voussoirs carrying the
inscription EDWARDS HOMES 1896, under a drip-course. Above are
2 blind stone slits with flush band above and below, and a
stone finial. Brick buttresses with 2 offsets and octagonal
stone pinnacles flank this central bay, and the gable to each
side has 2 steps.
The 2 bays each side of the centre also step forward slightly,
and have coped gables to prominent kneelers. The end gables
have the windows slightly brought forward, under a straight
crenellated parapet within the gable with a stone string and
moulded panel. In the internal angles are paired doors, and a
further door central to the units each side of the middle
unit. These doors are all the originals, including 3 vertical
glazed panels plus built-in transom light, under a pointed
arch over plain fanlight, and in flush quoins.
All gables have coped verges, and the party walls are brought
through the roof-slope to copings. There are large stacks at
either end, and 4 ridge stacks, all brick with stone
dressings.
A rock-faced stone plinth, and cast-iron downpipes with
decorative fixing cleats remain.
The rear has 5 flat-roofed 2-storey additions.
INTERIOR: one apartment inspected retained an original dogleg
staircase with turned balusters and decorative newel, 4-panel

doors with chamfer-stopped architraves, and picture rails.
HISTORICAL NOTE: Sir Henry Edwards, MP for Weymouth from 1867
to 1885, was the donor of these almshouses, and of
corresponding sets in Rodwell Road (qv) and James Street (qv).
The designs are very inventive and striking, and this
particular building is set out in the grand manner. Like the
others, it has remained in institutional ownership, and
consequently has retained its vigorous external character with
no changes.

Listing NGR: SY6768078345

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26682992

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

• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
• 
  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)