Royal Military College of Science, Beckett Hall

Details

1. SHRIVENHAM FARINGDON ROAD Royal Military College SU 2489 6/66 21.7.82 of Science,Beckett Hall II

2. 1830-1 by the Honorary Thomas Liddell after designs by William Atkinson for the 7th Viscount Barrington in the Elizabethan style of coursed rubble stone with ashlar dressings and gabled stone tiled roofs with rows, 3 or 4, of tall ashlar stacks. 2 storeys and attic with 3 main fronts and servants hall across the 4th side with full height hall across the centre. 5 bay E entrance front with a gabled central feature flanked by octagonal buttresses capped by openwork, ogee-topped stone cupolas. Coped gable with shoulders and pinnacles, crenellated parapet and corner pinnacles 4 two light gabled dormers with pinnacles and below 3 light cross-mullioned windows with hood moulds to sides. Central moulded Tudor arch with carved spandrels and hood mould. Canted 1st floor oriel bay with the Barrington arms carved in panelled base, 2 light attic windows. 5 bay S front with projecting end gables and centre attic gable. Similar coping, pinnacles and crenellation to the E gable. 2 dormers and below, 2 storey large canted bays to each wing panelled between floors, crenellated above with cross mullioned windows. 3 light centre windows, central 1st floor oriel and a 2 light attic window above. Symmetrical 5 bay W front with slightly projecting central gable and an additional projecting gable at the N end. The main range has 3 light cross mullioned windows, a 2 light central attic window and 4 dormers. Centrally placed ground floor 3 sided bay window with a crenellated top, no windows to S side, 3 windows to N side. Projecting N end gable similar to gabled wings of S front but 2 light centre windows to bay rather than 3 light windows. 2 storey N servant block with attic and E end coped gable with 3 finials. Inside the ground floor rooms are disposed around 3 sides of the central hall. Plaster ceilings with moulded square panels, some coved. Moulded plaster bosses at intersections of ribs. Deeply undercut foliage plaster friezes. Double doors with Gothic tracery to panels. Fireplaces heavy stone or wood Jacobean style, but some very fine C18 marble surrounds, possibly from previous house. E front low hall, billiard room to N, Library to SE corner with Jacobean style former bookcases, fluted piers with ball finials. Fine late C18 marble fireplace with ox skull centre motif. S front central saloon, plaster pendentives to ceiling. SW corner drawing room with fine C18 fireplace with carved fruit and flower swags. W front centre Morning-room with coved ceiling. Dining-room adjoining with N end serving bay. Hexagonal panels to ceiling. NW corner office with moulded ceiling. Central hall, full height with 3-section roof, flat centre glazed. Square panels with moulded ribs and ornate plaster bosses. 5 bays divided by large curved ribs on corbels with ornate spandrels. Cornice with moulded bosses and frieze of armorial panels. 3 1st floor arched openings from N and S passage. Jacobean style wooden galleries across E and W ends. Formerly elaborate niches in end walls. Moulded Tudor arched openings to ground floor. Staircase off hall to N, heavy Jacobean style with octagonal newels. Top skylight with armorial panels. 1st floor fine marble fireplace with winged putti in relief to E front centre room. Circa 1820-30 marble fireplace to SE corner room, late C18 fireplace to S centre room.

Listing NGR: SU2468389152

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

250588

Legacy System:

LBS

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