Portwey Hospital

The Portwey Hospital is a former workhouse, later adapted for hospital use, dating to 1836. It was constructed by two of the guardians, Thomas Dodson and Thomas Hill Harvey. The building is built of Portland stone ashlar, rubble, and some red brick, with slate roofs.

The plan is an extended H-shape, with the long wings aligned parallel to Wyke Road, and a central cross-axis extended beyond the rear range to accommodate a change in ground level, creating an additional storey. A further, larger range, added later, extends the rear wing to the east.

The front range has a three-storey central section of five bays, flanked by two-storey sections of five bays to the left and eight bays to the right, all on the same level. The windows are generally four-pane sashes with flush boxes set within slightly cambered heads with keystones. A wider sixteen-pane sash is positioned on either side of the central gabled porch, which features a pair of flush-panelled doors. A plinth runs along the front; it steps down on the right-hand end to accommodate the extra storey. A deep sill band runs across the front at first-floor level, with a smaller band below the sills at second-floor level. At the right end is a part-glazed door under a deep transom light, accessed by seven steps. The parapets are situated above a plain band and a deep fascia, which incorporates paired dentils to the central section. The central roof is hipped, with gabled ranges of two bays each side, extending to hipped outer ends. No chimney stacks are visible. The side and rear elevations are built of rubble with dressed quoins; the front range tapers in depth towards the outer bays. The spine range incorporates small two-light casements and a hipped outer end that abuts a ‘crossing’ tower raised approximately one meter on brickwork. The attached rear wings have various sashes and casements under hipped eaves. The long addition to the right features two and three-storey sections, primarily with twelve-pane sashes, along with some loading doors and two windows dropped to staircase landings. A projecting two-storey portico is situated at the junction between the newer and older sections, with a further small service tower set near the outer end.

At the rear, this range features a central service tower over a wide arched opening leading to a passage underneath the building. It has two storeys with numerous twelve-pane sashes, and a two-storey brick addition to the west of the service tower.

The interior was not inspected. The building's exterior retains much of its original fabric and detail, presenting a simple dignity enhanced by the economical use of Portland stone. It occupies a prominent site with extensive views to the north.