Description

PLYMOUTH

SX45NW SALTASH ROAD, Devonport
740-1/4/171 (West side)
08/07/98 HMS Drake: St Nicholas Road, Exmouth
Block

GV II

Large barrack, one of 3 similar blocks. 1907.
MATERIALS: Dressed Plymouth limestone brought to course and
with limestone dressings; slate or asbestos slate roof behind
parapets with moulded cornices to sides, and to projecting
blocks, and behind pedimented gables with flanking panelled
stone stacks with moulded entablature.
STYLE: Free Classical.
PLAN: overall long rectangular plan plus projecting corner
wings and central wings to sides.
EXTERIOR: 3 storeys; symmetrical 2:3:2-bay ends which are
principal entrance fronts with central doorways with flanking
pairs of windows. Doorways at slightly irregular intervals
also to 2:8:2:8:2-bay sides. Mid-floor moulded entablature;
Entrance fronts have keyed segmental arches to ground floor
and pediments to centre of wings; keyed round arches to
recessed pilastered openings to 1st floor and flat heads with
pediments to 2nd floor.
Returns of the corner blocks have similar detail to the
fronts. The central wings of the sides have rock-faced
pilasters dividing the bays and triangular pediments to the
parapets. The long ranges set back between have pedimented
hoods on brackets to 1st floor and consoles resembling
machicolations above 2nd-floor windows.
INTERIOR: not inspected but noted as having large dormitories
with end corner wash rooms and central stairs.
HISTORY: the last of 5 original barracks to be built; in their
plan they followed the pavilion principle, better known for
hospitals. They were originally fitted with hammocks. Sailors
lived in hulks until their first barracks were built, first at
Devonport, then Chatham and Portsmouth. They were built to
similar plans, although only HMS Drake was of ashlar. Part of
one of the finest and most complete barracks complexes in
England, manifesting the importance and status of the Royal
Navy at this time.
(The Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Devon: London: 1989-:
655 & 656).

Listing NGR: SX4486356914

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26666085

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

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  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
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  Huddersfield in 50 Buildings