Details
SAFFRON WALDEN
TL5338
669-1/1/243
01/11/72
KING STREET
(North side)
No.2
Public Library
(Formerly Listed as:
KING STREET
No.2
Literary and Scientific Institute)
GV
II
Literary and scientific institute, now public library. Mid
C19. Stuccoed and ashlar-lined; slated, hipped roof with
cornice supported by closely spaced consoles on lower cornice.
Rectangular plan. 2 storeys. Front, S elevation: 5 bays,
ground floor Tuscan arcade of 2 central attached columns and
outer pilasters, frieze has lower interrupted rock faced
rusticated panels. 4 ground floor windows with round heads.
Archivolts have triple stepped keystones, windows plain horned
sashes. At W end, doorway within similar arcade bay,
strigillated frieze, overlight has mid C19 iron work grille,
door original, 6 panels, upper 2 recessed, lower 4 flush with
beaded mouldings. First floor, round headed windows as below,
linked by cornices at sill and impost level with recessed
panels between. Window arches have deep, slender keystones.
Outer openings blind with hollow splayed reveals. Windows in 3
central apertures, sashes with glazing bars, 3x2 panes but
also radiating bars to heads. Rear, N elevation in grey gault
brick, 2 storeys, 2 units, to W of 3 ground floor window
range, large sashes with glazing bars, 3x4 panes, return W
wall , 2 similar windows, first floor single central segment
headed window of 2 sash lights with glazing bars, 4x4 panes.
To E, lower 2-storey block, ground floor, central C20 plain
door with upper glazing. C20 casement window each side, first
floor segment headed casement window with glazing bars, 2x3
panes.
INTERIOR: stairway rising at rear of narrow hall passage from
front door has simple bracket tread ends. First floor
principal room has large fireplace of grey marble and pink
breccia, dentilled cornice and frieze ornamented with urn,
rams' heads and oval paterae, also fluting inlaid with yellow
marble. Window to street have architraves with Ionic
mouldings. Large 2-leaf panelled door interconnects to rear
room where original ceiling obscured but said to once have had
a central lantern.
Listing NGR: TL5382938506
