Ramsgate Library
RAMSGATE LIBRARY, GUILDFORD LAWN
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1357573
- Date first listed:
- 04-Feb-1988
- List Entry Name:
- Ramsgate Library
- Statutory Address:
- RAMSGATE LIBRARY, GUILDFORD LAWN
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2006-09-26
- Reference:
- IOE01/16011/17
- Rights:
- © Mr Peter Keeble. Source: Historic England Archive
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Official list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1357573
- Date first listed:
- 04-Feb-1988
- List Entry Name:
- Ramsgate Library
- Statutory Address 1:
- RAMSGATE LIBRARY, GUILDFORD LAWN
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:
- RAMSGATE LIBRARY, GUILDFORD LAWN
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- County:
- Kent
- District:
- Thanet (District Authority)
- Parish:
- Ramsgate
- National Grid Reference:
- TR 38048 64927
Details
RAMSGATE GUILDFORD LAWN TR 3864 NW (south side) 13/129 Ramsgate Library GV II Library. 1904 by S.D. Adshead. Red brick with ashlar details and slate roof, in Neo-Georgian style. Entrance front central pedimented block on rusticated ground floor with band supporting coupled pilasters and 2 single pilasters to centre, with frieze and modillion cornice to pediment with domed cupola on pedestal over. The edges of the central block stripped back from the pedimented centre, with urn finials on corners. Scalloped brackets to left and right rising from single storey wings. Lunette shaped niche in pediment with Ramsgate's Coat of Arms, glazing bar sashes to left and to right on first floor with moulded aprons below, and central clock face in festooned surround with swagged panel below and "Public Library" incised in frieze over. Two round headed glazing bar casements on ground floor with small sidelights, and round- headed niches in flanking wings with glazing bar sashes in moulded surrounds with relief urns over. Central double doors of 6 recessed and fielded panels in Doric surround, with semi-circular fanlight above the cill band, in rusticated surround with Neptune-mask key stone. The side elevations are apart from the treatment of the flanking blocks to the front elevation more irregular and utilitarian. Interior: half- glazed inner doors lead to cross-vaulted entrance hall, with stair to right, half-landing plan with iron baluster leading to upper exhibition floor. Main interior spaces are open to each other but separately articulated with an arcaded area (Childrens Library), barrel vaulted and top lit main reading room, 2 storey museum and exhibition room with gallery, frieze and modillion cornice reached through an ornate Neo-Georgian door and surround. The detail, of dado panels, frieze and cornice, top lit or simply plastered ceilings, is simple but carried throughout the building. The library was financed by Andrew Carnegie, with the library collection transferred from Cavendish House, in Cavendish Street, converted and endowed by J. Passmore Edwards in 1890; the subject of a competition in 1902 judged by Henry Hare, and was Adshead's first major commission. (See Architectural History, No. 24, 1981, p 103 ff; see also Busson, Ramsgate, 128).
Listing NGR: TR3804864927
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 171759
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Busson, C, Book of Ramsgate, (), 128
Architectural History in Architectural History, Vol. 24, (1981), 103
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 06-Jun-2026 at 12:50:08.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
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