Royal National College For The Blind

The Royal National College for the Blind is a college building constructed around 1881 by architect F.R. Kempson. It features a brick structure with a plain tile roof and various brick stacks, designed in an E-shaped plan with wings on the returned sides. The building stands three storeys tall and has a seven-window range. The central section includes a two-tier oriel window in the tower, flanked by groups of three plain lights.

The right advanced wing showcases four stone mullion and transom lights beneath pointed arches, along with a tier of two similar lights on the returned side, which includes a staircase tower. The left advanced wing has one single mullion and transom light, with a similar light on the returned side. The exterior is adorned with various lights and semi-dormers featuring armorial finials, while the tower is topped with steep stepped gables and wrought-iron finials.

The central entrance consists of plank double doors set within a chamfered ashlar pointed arch, flanked by three-light stone mullion and transom windows under pointed brick arches. The left wing features various lights, and the left returned side includes a timber-framed porch with herring-bone brick infill, ornamental side-lights, and scalloped barge-boards. The rear of the building has multiple ranges and displays much polychrome brick, ashlar, and terracotta detailing and decoration.

Inside, there are three open-well staircases with turned balusters and acorn finials, along with a winder stair leading to the turret. The first floor features ceiling cornices, six and nine-panel doors, various stone fireplaces, and chamfered ceiling beams. The ground floor includes chamfered returns, chamfered nine and six-panel doors with architraves, ceiling cornices, pointed arches, and various stone fireplaces. The chapel area has strapped trusses and brick lancets, some of which are blind, along with a screen leading to the hall.