Bristol And Exeter Building

The Bristol and Exeter Building is a railway station that was built in 1852 by SC Fripp for the Bristol and Exeter Railway Company. It is now used as offices. The building is constructed from limestone ashlar and features a slate hipped roof. Designed in the Jacobethan style, it has two storeys, a basement, and an attic, with a nine-window range. The symmetrical front includes a high plinth, projecting ends, and a central section flanked by square towers. It has raised quoins and jambs, with paired engaged Doric columns beside a semicircular-arched doorway that has a lozenge-panelled door and scrolls in the spandrels. An entablature runs around the building, with 3-light mullion and transom windows in the wings and centre, 2-light windows in between, and one-light windows in the towers. The front and end gables feature Dutch gables and wide bays with first-floor oriels. The three-stage towers have circular clock panels at the top stage and leaded ogee domes, along with ridge stacks that include linked, diagonally-set stacks.

Inside, there is a large, top-lit central atrium with a cantilevered stone open-well stair that has scrolled cast-iron balusters and square newels. The doorcases feature round-headed arches, keys, and floating cornices, and there is a second-floor balcony supported by rectangular Ionic columns leading to the lantern.

Historically, this building was constructed by the Bristol and Exeter Railway Company, which previously had its train shed on the site of the current Temple Meads station. It is recognized for its historic and architectural significance as part of an outstanding group of railway buildings.