Town Hall

SP 9433-9533 WOBURN MARKET PLACE 8/138 Town Hall GV II Town Hall, partly converted to offices. Plaque to S elevation "Built by John VI Duke of Bedford 1830. Restored by Hastings IX Duke of Bedford 1884. Enlarged by Herbrand XI Duke of Bedford 1912." Original 1830 design by Edward Blore, in loosely Jacobethan style. Mottled red brick with ashlar dressings. Clay tile roof. 2 storeyed gabled rectangualar block with square turret to NE angle. E gable end: central slightly projecting bay with diagonal buttresses to angle, giving appearance of aisled building. 4-centred arched doorway approached by flight of steps. Double doors, upper panels with pointed arches. Above doorway is canted oriel window with carved Bedford crest to centre. Mullioned windows with cusped lights. Buttresses are surmounted by gargoyles and heavy panelled finials. Turret: 3 stages, divided by string courses. Top stage has 3-centred-arched louvred lights to each side. Lower stages have some narrower lights with cast iron diamond glazing bars. Moulded brick eaves cornice with lombard frieze. Leaded pyramidal roof with concave sides. Side elevations: ground floor reworked using lighter brick. Ground floor originally open arches with metal grilles (Beds. Magazine Vol.II, pp 87- 88). Large 3-light mullion and transom windows separated by 2-stage buttresses. First floor has 3-centred arched single lights with cast iron diamond glazing bars. These rise slightly above eaves level and are under narrow gablets with stone coping and finials. S elevation has 2 integral chimney stacks with octagonal moulded brick shafts. W gable end: 2 integral chimneys similar to S side. Large mullion and transom window to first floor. Ground floor has low 1912 extension with mullioned windows, 3-centred arched doorway and stone coped parapet.

Listing NGR: SP9489833126