Administrative Block And Children'S Ward

The following building shall be added to the list:-

TL04NW BEDFORD BRITANNIA ROAD

5/10006 Administrative Block and Children's Ward

• II

Administrative block and Children's Ward. 1897/8 by H Percy Adams in Free Renaissance style with Jacobean and flemish details. Red brick with terracotta dressings, tiled roof and brick stacks. Administrative block of two storeys and attics; 9 windows. Centre has cupola with finial to roof. Central projecting portion of 3 bays has central Dutch gable, fretted balustrade and octagonal corner turrets. Mullioned and transomed windows, including first floor 5-light canted bay. Elaborate doorcase with swansneck pediment with terracotta sculptures of seated mother with two children flanked by two medical practitioners in classical attire by Eames. On either side are set back sections of 2 bays with mullioned and transomed windows and gabled dormers. Projecting end bays have large gables with console brackets and 4-light canted bays on two floors. Plinth. Ward block to rear of one storey red brick with 5 gables. Administrative block has central Staircase Hall with imperial staircase with wooden balusters, arched features at top and bottom and tessellated floors. Committee Room on ground floor has 4 Ionic columns and original fireplace. Children's Ward attached to rear of Administrative Block has 20 ceramic Nursery rhyme panels by W B Simpson and a tiled plaque over the entrance with the names of the benefactors. The tiles were probably made by Maw's. These tiles are some of the best examples of early ceramic art work in children's wards and it is rare to find such panels' in situ'. [See "Brightening the Long Days - Hospital Tile Pictures" by John Greene, published by the Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society, P 2-3].

Listing NGR: TL0466648881