Atkinson Library and Art Gallery

ATKINSON LIBRARY AND ART GALLERY, LORD STREET

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Overview

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1379669
Date first listed:
15-Nov-1972
List Entry Name:
Atkinson Library and Art Gallery
Statutory Address:
ATKINSON LIBRARY AND ART GALLERY, LORD STREET
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Date:
2004-06-30
Reference:
IOE01/12611/05
Rights:
© Mr Bob Cottrell. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1379669
Date first listed:
15-Nov-1972
List Entry Name:
Atkinson Library and Art Gallery
Statutory Address 1:
ATKINSON LIBRARY AND ART GALLERY, LORD STREET

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.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

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.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:
ATKINSON LIBRARY AND ART GALLERY, LORD STREET

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:
Sefton (Metropolitan Authority)
Parish:
Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:
SD 33572 17198

Details

SOUTHPORT

SD3317SE LORD STREET
664-1/12/106 (East side)
15/11/72 Atkinson Library and Art Gallery

GV II

Public library and art gallery, now art gallery and part of
library (internally integrated with adjoining Southport
Library building, qv). 1878. By Waddington & Sons of Burnley;
given by William Atkinson of Preston. Sandstone ashlar, slate
roof. Victorian Classical style.
EXTERIOR: 3 storeys and 3 bays. Symmetrical, with a pedimented
centre breaking forwards, channelled plinth, giant corner
pilasters, dentilled cornice with panelled parapet, and a pair
of domed turrets in the centre flanking a pavilion roof with
cresting. The pedimented centre, with engaged giant Composite
columns distyle in antis, entablature with frieze inscribed:
ATKINSON FREE LIBRARY, dentilled cornice with foliated
modillions, and tympanum with carved relief figures, has a
large round-headed blank arch with stepped surround, enriched
imposts and head, framing a square-headed doorway and a large
carved roundel; and above this a pilastered band of 3 sunk
panels.
The flanking bays each have a foundation stone in the plinth,
a 3-light window (with altered glazing) in pilastered arcades
with carved tympani, and at first-floor level a band of 3 sunk
panels with relief carving of classical figures engaged in
various arts.
INTERIOR: not inspected.
Forms group with Southport Arts centre attached to the left
(qv) and with Southport Library building adjoining to right
(qv).




Listing NGR: SD3357217198

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:
479069
Legacy System:
LBS

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Ordnance survey map of Atkinson Library and Art Gallery

Map

This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 05-Jun-2026 at 14:28:59.

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© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. Use of this mapping is subject to Terms and Conditions.

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.

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