Her Majesty's Prison: Main entrance and two flanking wings

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 17 May 2023 to amend the address and reformat the text to current standards.

TL 0450 1/76 831

ST LOYES STREET (north side) Her Majesty's Prison: Main entrance and two flanking wings

(Formerly listed under DAME ALICE STREET, previously listed as HM Prison)

II Prison entrance and wings.1848-9 by Thomas Smith. Flemish bond red brick with slate dressings. Slate hipped roofs. Brick axial stacks.

Plan: central entrance block with carriageway through and flanking wings attached only by prison wall behind.

Exterior: two storeys and basements, three bay central entrance and flanking wings, all with rusticated stone quoins, plinths, string courses and cornices. Central entrance with pedimented advanced outer bays, central round arch carriageway with vermicutated rustication to voussoirs and large double doors, two-light windows, the flat arches with large voussoirs and stone mullion. The flanking wings have pedimented centres breaking forwards with recessed round-headed doorways with keystones, fanlights, glazed doors and steps with iron balustrades and twelve-pane sashes with flat brick arches.

Interiors: not inspected.

Note: Bedford Prison was built in 1801 to the designs of John Wing (1756-1826). In 1848-9 it was extended, the perimeter walls and front entrance were rebuilt and the flanking front wings added by Thomas Smith, the County Surveyor for Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

Source: HMP Bedford, Prison Handbook, and notes.

Listing NGR: TL0475450053