The Ball Place at Downside School

Ball courts, built in 1854 and designed by Charles Hansom.

MATERIALS: constructed of ashlar, probably white lias, and stone rubble.

DESCRIPTION: it is a monumental stone structure measuring some 30m wide and 12m high. It has a moulded plinth and a stone coping. The main elevation (south-east) comprises two tall playing walls, each with short angled wings and topped by stepped crenellation, and a lower, open-fronted central section which contains a blind niche or shelter that has a sloping timber boarded ceiling under a pointed-arched head. Over the arch the masonry is coursed, cut and squared rubble with a relieving arch and is surmounted with stepped crenellation. The rear (north-west) elevation is constructed of random stone rubble with ashlar quoins. Each court has a stepped buttress, and a central section that breaks forwards under a pentice slate roof.

The courts’ playing surface, which is now laid with tarmac, extends south-eastwards

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 10 October 2024 to reformat the text