H M Prison Dartmoor: F and G Wings

This complex comprises prison wings at H M Prison Dartmoor, with F Wing dating to 1809 and remodelled before 1885 by Colonel AB McHardy. A six-storey wing, G Wing, was added between 1901 and 1904/5 to designs by Alten Beamish, with further alterations in later years.

The construction of F Wing uses granite stone rubble with granite ashlar dressings, and squared granite stone rubble for the ablution wings. G Wing is built from squared granite stone rubble with granite ashlar dressings. The original slate roofs with rows of skylights have been replaced with corrugated metal. Each wing has two tall ventilation chimneys rising from the roof.

F Wing has a rectangular plan with rows of cells arranged over two levels, centred around a central atrium. G Wing also has a rectangular plan, featuring projecting ablution towers and rows of cells over five levels, also with a central atrium. G Wing’s projecting ablution towers are particularly prominent. A single-storey lean-to was added in the late 20th century where the wings meet on the west side, and an ablution wing projects from the east elevation of F Wing.

F Wing is two storeys high and 17 bays wide, with small windows in each bay, later fitted with casement windows and a vertical metal grille. G Wing is five storeys high, with a basement. Both side elevations have 19 bays, including the tall ablution towers which have decorative gables. Basement level has some blocked arches, while the floors above feature rows of small openings, similarly fitted with casement windows and vertical metal grilles. The end gables have tripartite windows illuminating the top galleries, with an entrance at the south gable end that is now linked to a late 20th-century covered walkway leading to the central kitchen block.

The gallery in F Wing remains, supported by small gothic style cast-iron brackets. The roof has an iron frame and timber cladding, with larger, more elaborate brackets surviving at the south end. The internal layout of F Wing is largely intact, although most of the original prison doors have been replaced. The interior of G Wing also retains its original layout, but has been entirely modernised with new metalwork, doors, windows, and in-cell sanitation.