Description

SOUTHWARK

TQ3377 WELLS WAY
636-1/10/849 (East side)
27/09/72 Groundwork Trust Offices, and
attached chimney
(Formerly Listed as:
WELLS WAY
Public Library (baths and wash
houses))

GV II

Public baths and wash house, later public library and sports
club, now offices. 1902. By Maurice Adams, architect. Red
brick with Portland stone banding and other details.
Picturesque group combining different styles in its various
features.
EXTERIOR: former baths and wash house: 2 storeys; left-hand
section (formerly baths) has 3 Gothic-style gables with
geometric stone inlay to main frontage. 2-storey right gabled
bay, flanked by corner stone pinnacles over banded pilasters
resting on decorative corbels with mermaids, has moulded
granite round-arched entrance with steps and double doors. On
1st floor above is Tudor-style mullioned and transomed 3-light
window beneath modillion cornice and plaque in gable. Other
main windows similar style. 2-storey centre gabled bay has
coupled, 3-light windows to ground floor and 3 grouped windows
to 1st floor.
Left-hand gabled bay is 1 tall storey only, forming gable end
of north-facing library block which lies at right angles to
former baths and wash house. It has 3 grouped windows, the
centre on a Queen Anne-style canted bay with tympanum over.
Right section is former laundry of 2 storeys in similar style
with tiled roof and smaller doorway. 1 large semicircular
window to ground-floor with red brick dressings and stone key.
3 windows above; plaque between floors. Gabled right return.
Tall brick chimney to rear with stone banding and cornice.
Public library to north return (Neate Street) has high pitched
red tile roof with raftered eaves. 1 storey only, 3 bays.
Steps up to Baroque-style stone portico of modified Ionic
columns supporting break-front cornice and segmental pediment
with coat of arms in tympanum. Stone figures of readers at
either side of pediment, resting on extended cornice. Stone
faced, battlemented centre bay behind pediment projects from
side walls. Stone gable with rose window rises behind
battlements. Side sections have 3-light windows with cornice
and brick panels beneath. Continuous string at ground floor

sills and another beneath panels.
INTERIOR: not inspected.

Listing NGR: TQ3303277700

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26665794

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

• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)