Former Rubbing House

Rubbing house for racehorses. Built by 1706 for Salisbury Racecourse; some late-C20 alterations.

MATERIALS It is constructed of local stone, possibly limestone, flint and red brick under a roof covered with bitumen sheeting.

PLAN The building is rectangular on plan.

EXTERIOR It is a single-storey building of three bays, constructed of horizontal bands of cut and squared stone, flint nodules and red brick; the most regular banding is to the east elevation. The entrance front (south) has ashlar quoins and a tall, central doorway, tall enough to allow horse and rider to enter. It has a segmental-arched brick head and a pair of modern timber plank doors; the upper part of the opening has been boarded over. Set in the wall above the doorway is a heavily-weathered stone that may once have been carved. There is a small, low opening with a timber lintel in the east elevation. It has been infilled, but was possibly a drain. The rear wall has been partially rebuilt and has a large crack towards its eastern end.

INTERIOR There are two iron tethering rings set into the back (north) wall. The floor has been laid with concrete. The roof timbers are late C20 and the underside of the roof is boarded.