Bridport Arts Centre

Bridport Arts Centre, formerly known as the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, was designed in 1838 by architect James Wilson from Belmont, Bath, with construction by builders Charles and Joseph Galpin of Bridport. The building features a stucco exterior and a hipped slate roof. Its façade is distinguished by four giant Doric pilasters supporting a full entablature and pediment, along with two giant fluted Ionic three-quarter columns on either side of the central bay. The first floor has three round-arched sash windows with glazing bars and moulded surrounds, while the ground floor includes two segment-headed blind panels with shouldered moulded surrounds. A set of double doors, featuring two moulded panels and a shouldered moulded surround, is accessed by a flight of five steps. The frieze displays the words "Wesleyan Methodist Chapel" in contemporary lettering.

Inside, the chapel has a moulded cornice and a shallow segmental barrel vault. Galleries were added in 1855 around three sides, supported by seven iron columns. These galleries have a panelled parapet adorned with anthemia ornament, some fluted muntins with scrolled consoles, and a modillion cornice. The chancel is framed by an arch with panelled Composite pilasters, moulded voussoirs, and a fluted keystone. Below this is an impressive wooden preaching gallery, accessed by two curved flights of steps on either side, featuring an arcuated balustrade and scroll-shaped newels with dentilled tops. The gallery is supported by three arches (two round and one segmental) with panelled square columns, foliate medieval capitals, moulded voussoirs, and fluted keystones. Above is a moulded cornice and a parapet with an arcade of square columns supporting round arches, complete with moulded voussoirs, imposts, keystones, and a modillioned cornice.

The Bridport Arts Centre is part of a group with Nos 3 to 9 (odd), the annexe to the Bridport Arts Centre, and Nos 11 to 17 (odd), along with 17B and 17A, which collectively form a group with the Greyhound Hotel on East Street.