H M Prison Dartmoor: F and G Wings

A prison wing of 1809 remodelled before 1885 by Colonel AB McHardy, extended with a six storey prison wing between 1901 and 1904/5 to designs by Alten Beamish, with later alterations.

MATERIALS: F Wing is built in granite stone rubble with granite stone ashlar dressings, with squared granite stone rubble to the ablution wings. G Wing is built in squared granite stone rubble with granite ashlar dressings. The pitched roofs with rows of skylights set into the slope are now covered in corrugated metal, replacing slate tiles. Each wing has two tall ventilation chimneys set into the roof.

PLAN: F Wing has a rectangular plan with rows of individual cells over two levels with a central atrium. G Wing has a rectangular plan with projecting ablution towers and rows of cells over five levels with a central atrium. G Wing has tall projecting ablution towers. F Wing has one projecting ablution wing attached to the east elevation, added later. Attached to the west elevation, where both wings meet, is a single storey lean-to, added in the late C20.

EXTERIOR: F Wing is two storeys high and 17 bays wide. Each bay has a small window opening with later casement window and vertical metal grille all of equal size. G Wing is five storeys high with a basement. Both side elevations have 19 bays, including tall projecting ablution towers with decorative gables to either side. At basement level there are some blocked arches with the floors above having rows of small openings of equal size with later casement windows and vertical metal grilles. The two end gables have tripartite windows lighting the top galleries with an entrance at its south gable end which is now linked to a late C20 covered walkway leading to the central kitchen block.

INTERIOR: F Wing retains its gallery which is carried on small gothic style cast-iron brackets. The roof has an iron frame and is timber clad. Larger more elaborate brackets survive at the south end of the block. Internal lay out survives mostly intact but most prison doors have been replaced. Although the internal layout of G Wing survives mostly intact too, it has been entirely modernised with new metal work, new doors, new windows and in-cell sanitation.