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© Mr Richard Swynford-Lain
IoE Number:
39019
Location:
MAIN BLOCK AND FLANKING WINGS AT ROYAL BERKSHIRE HOSPITAL, LONDON ROAD (south side)
READING, READING, BERKSHIRE
Photographer:
Mr Richard Swynford-Lain
Date Photographed:
09 June 2006
Date listed:
19 March 1975
Date of last amendment:
19 March 1975
Grade
II*
The Images of England website consists of images of listed buildings based on the statutory list as it was in 2001 and does not incorporate subsequent amendments to the list. For the statutory list and information on the current listed status of individual buildings please go to The National Heritage List for England.
LONDON ROAD
1.
5128
(South Side)
Main block and
flanking wings at
Royal Berkshire Hospital
SU 7272 9/161 19.3.75.
II* GV
2.
Main block 1839 by local architect and builder Henry Briant (who won the competition
for designing the hospital). As King William IV took such a keen interest
in the hospital before it was built, his Arms, not Queen Victoria's appear
on the central pediment. 2 storeys and basement. Bath stone - very large
ashlar blocks used to front. Slate roofs. 11 bays with 7 bay central break
projecting pedimented hexastyle Ionic portico. Glazing bar sash windows.
Corner piers. Channelled basement. Astragal to moulded cornice (dentil cornice
to portico) and parapet. Recessed side entrance bays. Wide steps to portico
with excellent contemporary lamp tripods with guilloche ornament. Interior:
colonaded stair hall, cast iron balusters to stairs which divide at landing.
1882 chapel with contemporary fittings reached from under landing. (By Joseph
Morris who made considerable extensions to the Hospital at that date). The
main block has flanking wings added 1865 to designs by Joseph Morris. 3 storeys
also Bath stone and long side wings forming a large courtyard added 1881-2.
The latter are also of Bath stone, have 5x5 end pavilions with 3 bay pedimented
breaks and are linked to side wings by a Greek Doric colonade (east side) and
a 1911 block (west side). In front to street is a dwarf-stone tall with moulded
coping and 5 retraining ashlar gate piers with block modillions to moulded
capping.