Queen Annes Walk

Queen Anne's Walk is a Grade I listed building located on The Strand in Barnstaple. It was originally constructed in 1708, as indicated by a dated statue, and may have reused earlier columns. The roof was likely added in 1859. The building has been attributed to the architect William Talman and was restored in 1986 by Herbert Read.

The structure is made of cream freestone, probably Beerstone, and features a hipped slate roof with lead rolls. It originally had a single colonnade facing the quay, which has since been filled in. A separate building was attached to the rear of the colonnade in 1859, possibly replacing an earlier structure. The colonnade consists of 10 bays, with a blind wall on the left return and an open right return. Inside the colonnade, there are two doorways leading into the colonnade and two into the attached building.

This is a single-storey building that is sumptuously decorated. It has fluted Tuscan columns, paired at both ends, supporting an entablature with a pulminated frieze and a parapet above. The parapet is divided into rectangles featuring carved armorial bearings and urns. The sixth bay from the left is set forward and supported by two pairs of fluted stone pillars, which hold up a bracketed pedestal adorned with armorial bearings and trophies. Atop this pedestal is a larger-than-lifesize statue of Queen Anne, who is depicted holding an orb and sceptre. A plaque below the statue notes that it was given by Robert Rolle of Stevenstone in 1708. Below this structure is the Tome Stone, which was placed here in 1909. The rear wall of the colonnade is decorated with plain pilasters, and the boarded roof is supported by cast-iron trusses from around 1859, featuring roundel decoration.

This building is an exceptional survival of Barnstaple's rich mercantile history.