The Old Fire Station

The Old Fire Station, Byfleet

A fire station built in 1885 with an early 20th century extension, situated on the High Road. The building is constructed in brick with terracotta decoration and tiled roofs. The 1885 building forms the western range, with a pre-1936 extension set back to the east. A flat-roofed addition from the 1940s is attached to the south elevation of the original building and is not of special architectural interest.

The 1885 fire station is built in Flemish Bond brickwork, mainly painted, with terracotta decoration. The tiled roofs are pitched, with the roof over the east elevation hipped, while the west gable is stepped and rises above the roofline. The north front elevation features a Dutch gable that also rises above the roofline, capped with a bellcote designed for a single bell (now missing). Below the bellcote is a terracotta plaque bearing the raised letters 'Erected AD1885', set inside an oval surrounded by foliate wreath-like decoration. Immediately beneath the plaque and the Dutch Gable runs a band of decoration comprising a central section of bricks carved to form four rows of a wavy pattern, flanked by two rows of alternating plain and spiral-patterned terracotta tiles. Below this are double doors recessed within an ovolo-moulded brick arch. To the east of the doors are two blocked windows with ovolo-moulded surrounds. A line of moulded bricks three deep runs under the eaves. This decorative detail continues into the early 20th century extension, which is of English Bond brickwork and features larger square double doors facing north, with 'Fire Station' lettered above. The 1940s rear addition is a flat-roofed, cement-rendered brick construction with Crittall windows.

The interior is plain, with painted brick walls and a planked ceiling. The west wall of the western bay contains two tall thin recesses. The south wall of the western bay has a door accessing the 1940s extension, and a door in the east wall of the eastern bay gives access to the early 20th century extension. The fire station currently serves mainly for vehicle and equipment storage, and also contains modern kitchen units.

The building was erected in 1885 by Sir John Whittaker Ellis, who funded its construction to serve Byfleet's volunteer fire brigade, founded in 1871. It was initially rented by the Parish Council from Whittaker Ellis and purchased by them in 1902. In 1933 Woking Urban District Council took control. The 1914 Ordnance Survey map shows the original building, and by 1936 the eastern extension had been added. A further flat-roofed addition to the rear was constructed during the Second World War. The fire station had a close physical relationship with Brooklands motor racing circuit, built in 1907, and the pre-Second World War aerodrome; as the closest fire service, the brigade likely attended both air and motor accidents there. Following the Government's creation of the National Fire Service in 1941, the station passed to Surrey County Council after the return of fire-fighting services to local authority control in 1948. The station was closed in 1963 and subsequently used by Byfleet Youth Centre for storage. It has remained unaltered since closure.