Seafront Shelter At Sz 6474 9806

The seafront shelter, built around 1900, is located on Clarence Esplanade in Southsea. It features a combination of cast-iron and timber construction with a flat composition sheeted roof. The shelter has a rectangular plan with splayed corners and an open arcaded perimeter. Each side is supported by five ornate cast-iron columns, while each end has two columns, all with stiff leaf capitals and bulbous bases. These columns support four round timber arches on the sides and three elliptical arches at the ends.

In the center, there is a low screen that is double splayed at the ends, featuring vertical boarding up to the dado. Short twisted cast-iron columns with Corinthian capitals support a moulded horizontal top bar, with an iron ball on a moulded base above each capital. Between the columns are three light fixed glazed panels. On either side of the screen, there are horizontal open slated varnished timber benches, supported by shaped cast-iron supports that include curved arm support rails.