Public Library

SAFFRON WALDEN

TL5338 669-1/1/243 01/11/72

KING STREET (North side) No.2 Public Library (Formerly Listed as: KING STREET No.2 Literary and Scientific Institute)

GV II

Literary and scientific institute, now public library. Mid C19. Stuccoed and ashlar-lined; slated, hipped roof with cornice supported by closely spaced consoles on lower cornice. Rectangular plan. 2 storeys. Front, S elevation: 5 bays, ground floor Tuscan arcade of 2 central attached columns and outer pilasters, frieze has lower interrupted rock faced rusticated panels. 4 ground floor windows with round heads. Archivolts have triple stepped keystones, windows plain horned sashes. At W end, doorway within similar arcade bay, strigillated frieze, overlight has mid C19 iron work grille, door original, 6 panels, upper 2 recessed, lower 4 flush with beaded mouldings. First floor, round headed windows as below, linked by cornices at sill and impost level with recessed panels between. Window arches have deep, slender keystones. Outer openings blind with hollow splayed reveals. Windows in 3 central apertures, sashes with glazing bars, 3x2 panes but also radiating bars to heads. Rear, N elevation in grey gault brick, 2 storeys, 2 units, to W of 3 ground floor window range, large sashes with glazing bars, 3x4 panes, return W wall , 2 similar windows, first floor single central segment headed window of 2 sash lights with glazing bars, 4x4 panes. To E, lower 2-storey block, ground floor, central C20 plain door with upper glazing. C20 casement window each side, first floor segment headed casement window with glazing bars, 2x3 panes. INTERIOR: stairway rising at rear of narrow hall passage from front door has simple bracket tread ends. First floor principal room has large fireplace of grey marble and pink breccia, dentilled cornice and frieze ornamented with urn, rams' heads and oval paterae, also fluting inlaid with yellow marble. Window to street have architraves with Ionic mouldings. Large 2-leaf panelled door interconnects to rear room where original ceiling obscured but said to once have had a central lantern.

Listing NGR: TL5382938506