Queen Annes Walk

BARNSTAPLE

SS5533SE THE STRAND 684-1/7/247 (South West side) 19/01/51 Queen Anne's Walk

GV I

Exchange, now provided with public seats. 1708 (dated statue), possibly re-using earlier columns (Pevsner); roof probably 1859. Building has been attributed to William Talman (Pevsner); restored 1986 by Herbert Read. Cream freestone (probably Beerstone); hipped slate roof with lead rolls. Originally a single colonnade, facing the quay (inlet since filled in). Building (separately listed) attached to rear of colonnade in 1859, perhaps replacing something earlier. 10-bay colonnade, left return with blind wall, right return open. Inside the colonnade 2 doorways and 2 into attached building. Single-storey. Sumptuously decorated. Fluted Tuscan columns, paired at left and right ends, support an entablature with pulminated frieze, parapet above, divided into rectangles with carved armorial bearings and decorated with urns. 6th bay from left broken forward with 2 pairs of fluted stone pillars supporting a bracketed pedestal, carved with armorial bearings and trophies, with a larger-than-lifesize statue of Queen Anne holding an orb and sceptre. Plaque below statue records that it was given by Robert Rolle of Stevenstone in 1708. Below this structure is the Tome Stone (qv), placed here in 1909. Inside colonnade rear wall decorated with plain pilasters. Boarded roof to colonnade supported on c1859 cast-iron trusses with roundel decoration. HISTORICAL NOTE: an exceptional survival of Barnstaple's flourishing mercantile history.

Listing NGR: SS5569033110