Water Pumping House

ORMSKIRK

SD40NW HALSALL LANE 663-1/4/159 (East side) Water Pumping House

GV II

Water pumping house. Dated 1870 over doorway; altered. Red brick in English bond with sandstone dressings and slate roofs on 2 levels. T-plan formed by main range on approx. east-west axis with double-pile range (possibly the former boiler house) across east end. Jacobethan style. The main range has a basement and one tall storey with the appearance of 2 storeys, a gabled 1-window facade and 2-window sides. The facade has a small raised terrace approached by a small flight of steps, wide corner pilasters with quoined corners, a moulded cornice and a large shaped gable; a large square-headed doorway with a heavy stone architrave including an arcaded entablature and cresting with a shield lettered "SALUS PER UNDAS 1870", and above this a mullion-and-transom 8-light window. The sides have shaped gables to the corner pilsters and to a raised centre, and between these similar 8-light windows on both floors. The range to the rear is single-storeyed, with a corbel table and cornice, coupled shaped gables and large round-headed archways with banded surrounds (one a doorway and the other altered as a window); and its rear wall has windows in similar style. INTERIOR: altered machinery pumping water from 2 bore holes. An unusual building of striking architectural appearance, reflecting Victorian awareness of the historical significance of public water supplies; forms group with associated lodge (q.v.).

Listing NGR: SD4079008643