Cheltenham College Gymnasium, Pavilion, Five Courts And Attached Railings

The gymnasium, pavilion, fives courts, and attached railings form part of Cheltenham College. Built in 1864 by FH Lockwood, the complex has undergone later additions and alterations, including upper stages to the pavilion constructed in the 1960s. It is built of gault brick with decorative red and black brick patterning, and features hipped roofs; the railings and gates are of iron. The overall design is severely symmetrical, executed in polychrome materials within a Gothic style.

The fives courts are a single-storey, four-bay structure with a lean-to addition. Each bay has double plank doors with divided lights above, set between pilasters. The rear elevation is plain, with an upper polychrome brick frieze. The pavilion presents as a two-window range, now extended to two storeys, with a single tall storey and sloping roof. The outer bays incorporate two-light windows with trefoils above and continuous hoodmoulds; the range to the right has three similar windows. A brick band with eight small windows is visible at the rear.

The gymnasium is a two-storey building with a seven-bay central section flanked by projecting two-stage towers topped with broach spires. Extensions with outer lean-tos are interrupted by projecting gabled sections. The central section features pointed-arched windows with plate tracery and polychromatic voussoirs, linked by a polychromatic impost band. A balcony and rostrum incorporate a quatrefoil motif. Windows are similar on the ground floor of the extensions and gabled ranges, with an oculus in the gable; otherwise, decorative brickwork is found on the upper stage. Polychromatic eaves treatments, a frieze, dentil cornice, and cogged eaves adorn the centre and ends. The towers display patterned brickwork to the lower stage, followed by paired lancets with polychrome voussoirs and an impost band. A clock and pairs of two-light belfry openings, each featuring polychrome voussoirs and decorative eaves, are also present. Entrances are located off-centre and at the base of the towers, with arched openings, plank doors, and pointed overlights; some are blind. The Thirlestaine Road frontage is blank except for seven arched windows at first-floor level.

The interior was not inspected. The railings and gates have alternate fleurs-de-lys and spearhead bars, described as "very nice" by Verey. The complex abuts railings to Cheltenham College Playing Fields, Sandford Road, and College Lawn. The design reflects the refinement of gymnasium planning by the army's Physical Training Corps in the 1850s, and the subsequent integration of sport into the Victorian public school movement.