Former Workhouse, Union Road, Kingsbridge, Devon
The Kingsbridge Union workhouse was built in 1837 to the west of the Kingsbridge Town Hall. It was designed by Thomas Ponsford who was also the architect of the Totnes Union workhouse. In 1837, the Poor Law Commissioners authorised the sum of £5,673 on construction of the building which was intended to accommodate 350 inmates. The Kingsbridge design was based on the popular square design by Sampson Kempthorne published by the Commissioners in 1835. After 1930, the workhouse became a Public Assistance Institution under the control of the Devonshire County Council, becoming known as Homelands. In January 1959 a fire caused severe damage to the central part of the buildings. The surviving buildings have since been used as various small business premises.
