Hampton Library

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TQ 1369 29/3

ROSEHILL Hampton Library

(Formerly listed as Rose Hill (Council Offices), ROSEHILL)

2.9.52

II Mid C18. (Now Hampton branch of public library and flats: Borough Property). Said to have been built for John Beard, the celebrated Covent Garden tenor who sang MacHeath in the "Beggars' Opera", and who died here in 1791. Various later additions and alterations including one storey library wing to west. Original part three bays, three storeys with two bay coach house wing to east. Stock brick parapet fronts with stone bands between the storeys and separate hipped slate roofs. Cupola on central roof in shape of small round Tuscan temple with ogee lead roof. The roof of the coach house block is tiled. Mainly C18 sashes but some windows altered and blocked.

North front: entrance on Rose Hill. Centre bay has semi-circular window on top floor and sunk panels on either side of first floor windows. Large solid brick projection on ground floor containing glazed entrance and flanking windows. Various other minor alterations. Coach house wing has two segmental arched openings, now blocked and modern windows inserted. South front: overlooking Upper Sunbury Road to river from high bank. Central full height three window splayed bay is dominating feature on this front which is the more impressive. One window either side and that on ground floor to west modernised Coach house wing appears as two storeys and attic on this front with slightly projecting centre containing arched recess now partly filled by small window.

Interior: contemporary staircase and panelled staircase hall and landings.

For entrance lodge and gates see Upper Sunbury Road.

Listing NGR: TQ1341669577