Willoughby Memorial Library And Art Gallery

The Willoughby Memorial Library and Art Gallery is a former school building founded in 1669 and constructed in 1673. It was extended in 1691 and underwent minor alterations in the 18th century, with a restoration in 1965. The building is constructed of ashlar and squared limestone rubble. It has a steeply pitched sprocketed hipped roof covered in Collyweston slate, with lead dressings and finials. A central ridge stack rises from the roof, featuring four shafts with moulded bases and cornices.

The building comprises a rectangular schoolroom and a later master's house to the rear right. It is single-storied with attics and a basement, presenting a five-bay front. Architectural details include rusticated quoins, a chamfered plinth, a pulvinated frieze, and moulded eaves. Inscribed on the frieze is "CAROLUS READ GENEROSUS HANC SCHOLAM DIS... GNATAM FUNAVIT ANNO DOMINI 1673". A two-story, pedimented porch, dated 1691 and inscribed with Robert Kirke and Hugh Wade, Wardens, projects from the front. The front also features a first-floor band and a pulvinated frieze. The central entrance consists of panelled double doors within an eared surround and a keyblock, surmounted by a broken triangular pediment bearing a shield of arms. Above is a keyed oculus, and within the pediment sits a circular window. A single three-light mullioned window is located at basement level on the right-hand side. Flanking the porch are pairs of cross mullioned leaded casements with moulded architraves. Dormers at the attic level have hipped roofs and lead cheeks.

The rear elevation features a coved cornice and a doorway with a plain chamfered surround and cornice, inscribed on the lintel "Incredere ut proficias". Two cross mullioned windows are located to the right, and a 18th-century glazing bar sash window, set within a plain ashlar surround with a raised keyblock, is on the left. A rear wing, constructed of coursed square rubble with ashlar quoins, a Collyweston slate roof, a raised stone coped gable, and an axial ashlar stack, has been added.

Internally, a half-glazed doorway leads to the original schoolroom, featuring a pulvinated frieze and cornice within a moulded architrave. The girders are moulded with large shield plaque stops. The cellar contains a large fireplace with a chamfered arched head and deeply chamfered beams. On the first floor, an octagonal ashlar stack has two chamfered and stopped fireplace surrounds. The schoolmaster's accommodation includes a spiral staircase and simply chamfered beams.

The school was established through a bequest from Charles Read of Folkingham, who left funds for free grammar schools in Corby and Tuxford, Nottinghamshire. The building was restored in 1965 by the Earl of Ancater and subsequently converted into a Library and Art Gallery as a memorial to his son, Timothy, who was lost at sea.