Kneller Hall And Boundary Walls Royal Military School Of Music

1. 5028 KNELLER ROAD

Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall and boundary walls TQ 1474 16/1

II

1. Originally built 1709-11 for Sir Godfrey Kneller, much altered and extended to its present elaborate neo-Jacobean form by George Mair, 1848. A particularly fine symmetrical main elevation (east front): Brick and stone, 3 storeys, 'E' plan form, the projecting centre containing the entrance, having a large square, 3-storey bay window, mullioned and transomed, crowned by an elaborate parapet with a coat of arms. The bay window projects beyond flanking square towers with flush bonded quoin stones, stone storey bands and slit windows, each tower crowned by a cornice and leaded ogee cupola. On either side, 3-bay recessed wings link the centre composition with 3-bay projecting wings, all with rusticated quoins, mullioned and transomed windows with architrave surrounds and pierced parapets, the centre bays of each wing front being enriched with superimposed orders of coupled pilasters and crowned by an elaborate open strapwork gable, crowned by a little pediment. The projecting wings are linked to form an entrance court behind an open arcaded stone screen with a Doric order with mannered details. Balustraded guard each arched opening with the exception of the centre bay which is treated as a projecting pediment entrance containing steps up toward the door in the centre of the darn range. Later additions to limited interest. Interior not seen, but stained glass in windows of central bay.

Listing NGR: TQ1468574191