Former Weedon Barracks, Storehouse Number 4

This warehouse, Storehouse Number 4 of the former Weedon Barracks, was built between 1804 and 1810. It is one of several that originally lined the south side of the canal and forms part of a unique planned military-industrial complex, including a defensible transport system and surrounding walls. The building is constructed of red brick in Flemish bond, with gauged brick dressings to the arches, and has a hipped roof covered with corrugated asbestos, replacing a previous M-shaped Welsh slate roof.

The north elevation, facing the canal, is rectangular and features an 11-window range. The central entrance has double-leaf doors with 12 panels, flanked by stone pilasters supporting a Doric entablature. Cambered arches are positioned above tripartite sash windows. Blocked doorways with similar arched windows flank the ends. Later 19th-century wooden casements with two lights are set within semi-circular arched recesses at ground-floor level and the first floor has horned 6/6-pane sashes. The centre and ends of the north elevation project slightly, with a plinth and first-floor string course, topped by a brick parapet.

The south elevation uses the natural slope of the land to incorporate a basement level, treated in a robust classical style with grey sandstone vermiculated rustication and semi-circular arches over original nail-studded plank doors, set beneath louvred tympanae. The central bay on this elevation projects, with iron railings framing a central loading area. Short retaining walls with steps lead up to the canal basin area at either end.

The basement contains brick tunnel vaults to each bay, with three rows of stop-chamfered timber posts and pillow beams supporting the first floor. Steel trusses, dating from a 1938 roof remodelling, are also present. An open string staircase features chamfered and scroll-stopped newels, diamond-set balusters, and a moulded handrail. Semi-circular arched doorways, set in semi-circular arched recesses, provide access to the storerooms. For further details, refer to the description of Storehouse No 2.