Masonic Temple

Bath Stone facade with round-arched openings with keystones and order of Doric pilasters; cornice and parapet with inscription "MASONIC TEMPLE", hipped slate roof. Three bays with, to centre, triple arch window over blocked doorway; to each side, tall arched window.

Main entrance to side of former chapel, long passage leads to hall with Ionic columns and cantilevered staircase with wrought-iron balustrade with symbolic roundels. Building contains 3 temples: The main temple is the Grand or Duke of Connaught Temple in the body of the old chapel; lofty coved ceiling, moulded architraves to blocked windows; wooden panelling to lower walls, with stepped platforms for seats. At far end (W), chapel gallery remains; panelled frontal, organ (installed 1906 replacing earlier organ). The Small or Lord Swansea Temple, accessed by an ante-room from the main hall, lies behind the main temple within the main chapel building. The New or Edgar Rutter Temple is accessed from the opposite corner of the hall. First floor contains 3 dining rooms, Dining Room 1 over the Lord Swansea Temple retains large decorative cupola and stage area, further dining rooms over the Edgar Rutter Temple (No 2) and central (No 3).