Poor Law Institution (The Cedars)

The Cedars is a mid-19th century Poor Law Institution, built around 1835. It has a monumental design influenced by the contemporary fashion for Italian style. The building is constructed of brown-red brick with a slate roof and follows a cruciform plan. Large, three-storey square blocks are located at the points and intersection of the cross, linked by lower, two-storey straight ranges. A prominent feature is the use of triple, arcaded windows set closely together throughout the building. These arcades are centrally positioned on each of the three storeys of the square blocks, leaving expanses of smooth brickwork punctuated by narrow horizontal strings at the spring level of the arcades. The windows have many intersecting glazing bars. Deeply projecting hipped slate roofs rise in a pyramidal fashion over the main blocks, terminating in substantial chimney stacks. The central block has slightly canted corners causing the hipped roof to rise from an octagonal base and terminates in a larger, octagonal chimney stack. The institution was designed by James Clephane, who also designed Wrest Park House and Orangery.