Harpur Centre is a Grade II* listed building in the Bedford local planning authority area, England. First listed on 6 June 1952. Former school. 4 related planning applications.

Harpur Centre

WRENN ID
under-newel-tide
Grade
II*
Local Planning Authority
Bedford
Constituency
Bedford MP: Mohammad Yasin (Lab)
Country
England
Date first listed
6 June 1952
Type
Former school
Address
Harpur Centre, Harpur Square, Harpur Street, MK40 1TJ
OS grid reference
TL 048 497
Coordinates
52.13623, -0.46877
Source
Historic England listing

Also on this page: sale history · EPC · related consents · flood risk · radon risk · weather exposure · detailed attributes ↓

Description

The Harpur Centre is a former school built between 1831 and 1834, designed by architect Edward Blore. It is constructed of stone in the Perpendicular style and has a half H-shaped plan. The building features a central tower that is flanked by large bay windows.

Local climate

Harpur Centre sits in one of the driest parts of the UK, with an average of 690 mm of rain a year. This makes it drier than 95% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is lower than that of 91% of listed buildings.

It experiences an average of 34 freeze-thaw cycles a year, more than 54% of listed buildings. Of these, 15 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.

Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.

More on this building

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  • Full EPC report — heating system, energy costs, size, glazing, construction etc.
  • Sale history — 2 transactions since 2016
  • Related listed building consents — 4 applications
  • Detailed attributes — period, style, materials, features
  • Flood risk assessment
  • Radon risk assessment
  • Weather exposure and heating demand — rain and frost month by month and year by year, wind direction, solar and humidity
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Nearby listed buildings

  1. Harpur Suite Grade II* 54 m
  2. Town Hall Grade II 92 m
  3. North Extension (Civic Theatre) to Town Hall Grade II 95 m
  4. Bedford Corn Exchange Grade II 96 m
  5. Remains of the Old George Inn Grade II 103 m
  6. Churchyard gateways, railings and fountain at St Paul's Church Grade II 118 m
  7. Church of St Paul Grade I 124 m
  8. 7a St Paul's Square and Cowper Building Grade II 171 m
  9. The Rose Inn Grade II 174 m
  10. 43 High Street Grade II 174 m