Former Hospital (Building 56), Fulwood Barracks

SD53SW FULWOOD WATLING STREET ROAD (North side)

1023/7/10013 Former Hospital (Building 56), Fulwood Barracks 29.3.1982

GV II

Hospital, now medical centre. Dated 1844, by Major T Foster RE, for the Ordnance Board. Rock-faced sandstone ashlar with ashlar cross-axial ridge and lateral stacks and slate hipped roof Late Georgian style. Single-depth plan in two sections each with a central rear ablution pavilion. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys; 5:9-window range. Near symmetrical front with steps up to central entrances to each section with plain ashlar surrounds, 8-pane overlights and mid C20 doors, and late C20 6/6-pane top-hung casements. Wider right-hand section has short rear wings including a 3-window right-hand return with blocked ground-floor windows, and a short central pavilion with a narrow passage of 2 round ashlar arches with 3-pane overlights and a blocked doorway with imposts, connecting to wider rear ablution tower, all with rear lateral stacks. A similar rear pavilion to the rear of the left-hand section. Hoppers inscribed VR 1844. INTERIOR: has entrance stair halls to dogleg stairs with column newels, stick balusters and uncut strings, and rear axial passages. HISTORY: the right-hand section was for the infantry and that to the left for the cavalry. The barracks was built in response to anxiety over Chartist agitation. Although the south-east barrack range has been lost, the original plan of two parade squares within a defensible perimeter wall is substantially intact, making Fulwood the most complete example in England of the late C18 concept of barrack design. (PSA Drawings Collection, NMR: MCR 58).

Listing NGR: SD5487731856