Kneller Hall And Boundary Walls Royal Military School Of Music

Kneller Hall, originally built between 1709 and 1711 for Sir Godfrey Kneller, has been significantly altered and extended to its current elaborate neo-Jacobean style by George Mair in 1848. The building features a striking symmetrical main elevation on the east front, constructed from brick and stone, and is designed in an 'E' plan form. The central section, which projects forward, includes a large square, three-storey bay window that is mullioned and transomed, topped with an ornate parapet displaying a coat of arms. This bay window extends beyond flanking square towers that feature flush bonded quoin stones, stone storey bands, and slit windows. Each tower is capped with a cornice and a leaded ogee cupola.

On either side of the central section, there are three-bay recessed wings that connect to three-bay projecting wings, all adorned with rusticated quoins, mullioned and transomed windows with architrave surrounds, and pierced parapets. The central bays of each wing are enhanced with superimposed orders of coupled pilasters and topped with elaborate open strapwork gables, each crowned with a small pediment. The projecting wings create an entrance court, which is framed by an open arcaded stone screen featuring a Doric order with decorative details. Each arched opening is guarded by a balustrade, except for the central bay, which serves as a prominent entrance with steps leading up to the door at the centre of the main range. There are later additions of limited interest. The interior has not been seen, but stained glass is present in the windows of the central bay.