Hexagon

CIRENCESTER

SP0102 CIRENCESTER PARK 578-1/3/358 Hexagon 14/06/48

GV II*

Park building. c1736, designed by Lord Bathurst. Limestone ashlar with vermiculated dressings; rear wall of limestone rubble. Welsh slate roof with limestone ball finial at apex. The building is in plan an irregular hexagon with the rear wall slightly wider than the others. Single storey with round-headed openings with vermiculated rusticated surrounds and impost blocks to 3 front faces and similar blocked openings to left and right. Ashlar stylobate, band course and cornice with single bold cyma recta moulding; ashlar blocking course. The entire building is raised on a plinth approximately 3' high and projecting approximately 5' around building with ashlar retaining wall with shallow plinth and stone coping; 5 steps up to centre front. INTERIOR has been stripped of plaster and has no ceiling. Concrete screed floor. C20 iron benches in round-headed niche in rear wall and blocked arches to left and right. C20 roof structure. The Hexagon appears on Rudder's plan of 1779 as the meeting place of 3 rides and 3 smaller walks and then enjoyed views of the Horse Temple (qv - now moved) and Hartley's Temple (now gone). The 2 arches to left and right were possibly blocked when the Broad Ride was extended eastwards past the Hexagon after l779. (Rudder S: The History and Antiquities of Cirencester (Plan of park): Cirencester: 1780-; EH Gardens Register: Gloucester: Grade I: London: 1986-).

Listing NGR: SP0130702235