The Observatory
THE OBSERVATORY, VICTORIA COTTAGES
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1269948
- Date first listed:
- 23-Jan-1973
- List Entry Name:
- The Observatory
- Statutory Address:
- THE OBSERVATORY, VICTORIA COTTAGES
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Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2003-10-12
- Reference:
- IOE01/11093/20
- Rights:
- © Micaela Basford. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1269948
- Date first listed:
- 23-Jan-1973
- List Entry Name:
- The Observatory
- Statutory Address 1:
- THE OBSERVATORY, VICTORIA COTTAGES
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- THE OBSERVATORY, VICTORIA COTTAGES
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Cornwall (Unitary Authority)
- Parish:
- Falmouth
- National Grid Reference:
- SW 80802 32472
Details
FALMOUTH
SW8032SE VICTORIA COTTAGES 843-1/10/218 The Observatory 23/01/73
GV II
Observatory. 1862 for The Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society. Stucco on masonry with channelled rustication to square-plan ground floor (plus small rear wing), octagonal above rising to frieze and deep cove to parapet; steep asbestos slate roof with 4 dormers with C20 glazing and steep roof to wing. 3 storeys or stages plus attic with observation room; small round-arched windows with horned sashes plus 3 square-headed windows. Doorway to south side within lean-to on right; C20 door. INTERIOR not inspected but said to retain original reflectors and staircase. HISTORY: this building was used to keep meteorological records until the early 1950s. The Royal Polytechnic Society was founded in 1833 by Anna-Maria and Caroline, the 2 teenage daughters of Robert Were Fox. As Quakers they were concerned about the well-being of the working classes and wanted to encourage innovative ideas and invention. (Gilson P: Falmouth in Old Photographs: Falmouth: 1990-: 51, 97 AND 101).
Listing NGR: SW8080232472
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 460239
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Gilson, P, Falmouth in Old Photographs, (1990), 51 97 101
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 13-Jun-2026 at 06:25:18.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.