The Pavilion

The Pavilion is a small sports pavilion built in 1935 by the Astolant Company of Guildford, Surrey, for Dawlish District Council. It is a striking example of 1930s architecture in the Moderne style.

The building is symmetrical and employs streamlined geometric shapes. A prominent feature is the central, semi-cylindrical lobby, which sits upon a shallow, but wide, semi-circular plinth with corresponding overhanging, circular eaves. The lobby is lit by tall, curved, metal-framed windows that flank part-glazed timber double-doors, with the original doors largely surviving, though partially boarded. Flanking the lobby are lower, rectilinear ranges of changing rooms and facilities, again with deeply projecting flat eaves. The changing rooms step back twice on each side of the lobby and have small, symmetrical windows. A series of symmetrical doors and windows are found to the side and rear, providing access to small changing chalets.

The interior is simple, with painted concrete walls and concrete floors. The changing rooms retain their original slatted hardwood benches, although the shower cubicles have been superficially modernised.

The Pavilion was opened in 1935 by Lord Mildmay, constructed as part of a scheme to provide public recreation facilities on land formerly belonging to the Pidgely estate. The opening speech noted efforts to secure the recreation ground for public enjoyment, with much of the remaining estate later developed for housing. Despite the later construction of a modern sports centre, the Pavilion has continued in use by local teams.

The building is designated at Grade II for its good quality architectural design within the sports grounds, as a good example of modernism applied to recreation buildings on a small scale, and for its survival and legibility despite some modernisations.