Clifton Library And Attached Front Railings And Gates

BRISTOL

ST5773SW PRINCESS VICTORIA STREET, Clifton 901-1/8/938 (South side) No.13 Clifton Library and attached front railings and gates

GV II

School, now library. Founded 1852. Designed by C Underwood, rebuilt 1877 by Charles Hansom, additions 1891 by WT Bernard. Limestone ashlar, roof not visible. U-shaped double-depth plan. Italianate style. 2 storeys and basement; 11-window range. A symmetrical front has later narrow projecting wings with clasping pilasters to a coved cornice and panelled parapet, with an earlier and taller centre with cornice and parapet, and a central segmental pediment. sill and impost bands, those to the wings set in a panel between the pilasters. Semicircular-arched doorways in the returns have C20 doors. Windows have semicircular moulded archivolts, 2 small windows to the ground floor of the wings, and to the returns, and taller single second-floor windows to the wings. The centre has three 2-window ground-floor arcades, and smaller 3-window first-floor arcades, with CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOL inscribed in oval panels between. INTERIOR: largely rebuilt; stone dogleg stairs with wrought-iron railings in the right-hand wing, and roof trusses with chamfered queen posts. SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: attached cast-iron gates and ashlar wall with fleur-de-lys head railings closes the forecourt between the wings. HISTORICAL NOTE: one of a small number of pre-Board schools in Bristol.

Listing NGR: ST5699073007