Berkeley Hotel

ILFRACOMBE

SS5147 WILDER ROAD 853-1/6/138 (South East side) Berkeley Hotel

II

Hotel. 1884, by WM Robbins, altered mid C20. MATERIALS: yellow brick with red brick and limestone dressings, and a flat roof, formerly with an iron widow's walk, with steeply-swept slate sides. EXTERIOR: 3 storeys and attic; 3:2:3:2:3-window range. A symmetrical front has octagonal outer corner bays and a central full-height entrance bay, connected by brick loggias on the ground and first floors, and a timber balcony on the second floor beneath an overhanging roof. Paired red brick bands extend between the windows at each floor, with red brick segmental-arched heads, stone keys and springers and plate-glass sashes; a cornice of moulded brick to the corners and side elevations. The entrance bay has a segmental-arched doorway and panelled double doors, and a mid C20 canopy; above are 3 narrow windows, shorter on the second floor, with a square timber belvedere extending from the roof. The flanking loggias have open arches matching the windows, with a decorative second-floor balcony of arched braced posts and trellis rails. The matching side elevations have 3:1:4:1:3 windows, with a central canted 4-light bay. Narrow eaves dormers with hipped foors over the corner and side windows. INTERIOR: Details include an entrance hall with staircase; extensively altered mid C20. A fairly complete example of a purpose-built seaside hotel, on a prominent site, using local materials and details on a well-articulated design. (Laithwaite M: Victorian Ilfracombe: Exeter: 1992-: 52).

Listing NGR: SS5165047658