Victorian Society News Archive: 2023
Griff Rhys Jones launches 2023 Top Ten Endangered Buildings list
The Top Ten Endangered Victorian and Edwardian Buildings list 2023 has been revealed by the The Victorian Society’s President. The full list is here. All the buildings in the Top...
Waterloo Hotel and Grill, Smethwick, West Midlands
Thieves have stripped the lead – will vandals appear next? An extraordinary pub and hotel that has suffered much, the Grade II* Waterloo Hotel has featured in our Top Ten...
Wingfield Station, Derbyshire
Maimed beauty deserves better This small, spartan and pleasing railway station has suffered for decades at the hands of a private owner. Beyond its distressing neglect, there’s a unique Victorian...
Corn Exchange/Former Town Hall, Swindon
The Grade II-listed Corn Exchange/Former Town Hall in Swindon was built in 1852-54 by Sampson Sage & E Robertson with additions by Wilson and Willcox. This ruined complex at the...
Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff, Grade 2 Listed, Oatley and Skinner, 1902-1908
The hospital first opened in 1908 as ‘Cardiff Lunatic Asylum’, in the typical style for medical facilities – with a spine of central administrative blocks, and to each side, five-storey...
Oldham Equitable Cooperative Society (Hill Stores), Oldham, Grade 2 listed, Thomas Taylor, 1900
Oldham Equitable Cooperative Society (Hill Stores) commissioned Thomas Taylor to build what would be one of the largest buildings in the area, and it was completed in 1900. Oldham Equitable...
Minley Home Farm, Hampshire, Unlisted, Arthur Castings, 1896
Minley Home Farm was once part of the sprawling Minley Manor Estate. It was completed circa 1896 to the designs of Arthur Castings, associate to the renowned George Devey, who...
Jones & Higgins Department Store, London, Unlisted, Henry Jarvis & Sons, 1894
The Jones and Higgins Department store opened on the corner of Rye Lane and Peckham High Street in 1867 and formed a key part of a ‘Golden Mile’ of shops...
Indoor Market, Burslem, Stoke on Trent, Unlisted, Architect Unknown, (1897)
The market tells the story of Burslem’s rise and subsequent decline, with its ghost signs and fading advertisements from the Victorian era that still adorn several closed shops attached to...
Icknield Street School, Birmingham, Grade II* Listed, by J.H. Chamberlain of Martin and Chamberlain, 1883
Icknield Street School is in urgent need of repairs. Despite being partly in use on the ground floor as a Hindu temple, its upper storeys are vacant. Water leaks from...
Healings Flour Mill and Warehouses, Tewkesbury, Grade II, by W H James of Tewkesbury for Samuel Healing and Son, 1865-6
At its peak in 1892, Healings Flour Mill was considered to be the largest and most advanced flour mill in the country, capable of producing 25 sacks of flour an...
The Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth
The Winter Gardens in Great Yarmouth are Grade II-listed and were built between 1878-81. The Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth (Grade II*, 1878-81, John Watson & William Harvey) It’s incredible to...
Church of St Helen, Biscathorpe, Lincolnshire, Grade II* Listed, W. A. Nicholson, 1847
The Church of St Helen, Biscathorpe stands nearly alone, its former village having long since disappeared. Rebuilt on the site of the old church in 1847 by W. A. Nicholson...
Coal Drops, Halifax, Grade II, Architect unknown, 1874
Halifax Coal Drops were built for the Ovenden and Halifax Junction Railway Co. and are an important part of the town’s industrial history. They comprise 15 wooden bunkers built into...
Horncliffe House, Lancashire, Grade-II listed, Architect Unknown, 1869
Horncliffe House’s ornate exterior is almost all that remains of this once grand residence. Originally built as a private dwelling for Henry Hoyle Hardman, a local mill owner and businessman,...
St Peter and St Paul, Birch, Essex
It has charm and atmosphere – but it needs new friends The interior of this Grade II church, built by SS Teulon in 1850, exudes great atmosphere. But the wood...
St Mary’s Convent Church, Leeds
St Mary’s Convent Church in Leeds is Grade II* and was built in 1852. St Mary’s Convent Church, Leeds (Grade II*, 1852, Joseph Hansom & W Wardell, chancel & transepts...
Revealed: nation’s Top Ten most endangered buildings 2012
A shocking legacy of neglect and mistreatment The top ten include Ipswich’s blighted and vandalised former County Hall and an atmospheric Essex church abandoned twenty years ago and left to...
Shadwell Court, Norfolk
The Grade I-listed Shadwell Court in Norfolk was initially built in 1715, but was extended and remodelled out of all recognition in 1840 by Edward Blore and again in 1857-60...
Samaritan Hospital for Women in London
Grade II-listed – 1889-90 – W.G. Habershon & J.F. Fawkner. This purpose-built hospital, by W.G. Habershon and J.F. Fawkner, opened in 1889 and was one of the country’s most important...
Queensbury Tunnel, Yorkshire
The currently unlisted Queensbury Tunnel in Yorkshire was built between 1874-78 by John Fraser. Queensbury Tunnel is a disused railway tunnel that connects Holmfield and Queensbury in West Yorkshire, England....
Plas Alltran in Holyhead, Wales
Grade II-listed – c.1890 – Arthur Baker. Plan Alltran’s picturesque style is said to be modelled on Plas Mawr, a fine Elizabethan townhouse in Conwy, which survives to this day....
Pelican Works, Birmingham
The Grade II-listed Pelican Works in Birmingham, built c.1868. The Grade II-listed Pelican Works building in the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham was built for Thomas Wilkinson of Sheffield as an...
Northgate Malt House Building in Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire
Grade II-listed– 1864 – T & W Bradley. Malt houses soaked cereal grain in water to create malt to brew beer. The traditional malt house was largely phased out during...
Oldway Mansion, Devon
The Grade II* Oldway Mansion in Paignton, Devon was built in 1873 and modelled on Versailles. Oldway Mansion, Paignton, Devon (Grade II*, 1873, G.S. Bridgman) Built as the private residence...
Merseyside Centre for the Deaf, Liverpool
The Merseyside Centre for the Deaf in Liverpool is Grade II-listed and was built in 1887. Merseyside Centre for the Deaf, Liverpool (Grade II, 1887, E.H. Banner) Initially built as...
Mechanics Institute, Swindon
‘Birthplace’ of the NHS in a sorry state A striking sight from the railway, the Grade II* Mechanics Institute has truly national significance. Built in 1853-55 by Edward Roberts and...
Liverpool Street Station listing revisions should spell end for demolition plans
Liverpool Street Station and the Great former Eastern Hotel now have revised listings that include most of the 90s redevelopment The Victorian Society is delighted that Liverpool Street Station’s list...
Langton Dock Pumphouse, Bootle, Merseyside
Memorable yet largely unknown A red-brick sentinel stands slowly crumbling at the edge of a container park. Its ornate appearance belies a practical role: it originally contained the steam engine...
John Summers Steelworks, Shotton, Wales
The John Summers Steelworks in Shotton, Wales was built in 1907 and is Grade II-listed. John Summers Steelworks, Shotton, Wales (Grade II, 1907, James France) This former office building of...
Ipswich’s former County Hall
A town’s shame Built in 1836-37 by W McIntosh Brooks, Ipswich’s Grade II County Hall was once the area’s gaol and law court. Following extensions for council offices in...
Langley Maltings, West Midlands
Langley Maltings in Sandwell, West Midlands was built in 1870 and is Grade II-listed. Langley Maltings, Sandwell, West Midlands (Grade II, 1870, architect unknown) These prominent maltings on the banks...
Hartley’s Village, Aintree, Liverpool
The Grade II-listed Hartley’s Village in Aintree, Liverpool was built between 1886-95. Hartley’s Village, Aintree, Liverpool (three Grade II-listed buildings, 1886-95, architect unknown) Still famous as a popular brand of...
Hendrefoilan House, Sketty, Swansea
The damage is worse than it appears – and thieves have discovered it If it wasn’t for sex discrimination, Hendrefoilan House might have avoided its present purgatory. Commissioned by Welsh...
Holborn Circus, London
Cutting link with the past will make Circus worse Holborn Circus, meeting point of six highways, was designed by engineer William Haywood in 1867 as a commanding and visually...
Hulme Hippodrome, Manchester
The Grade II-listed Hulme Hippodrome in Manchester was built in 1901 by J. J. Alley. The future of this Manchester landmark hangs in the balance. The Hulme Hippodrome opened its...
Former Leslie Arms Public House, London
The Grade II-listed former Leslie Arms Public House in Croydon, London was built in c.1850. A derelict Arts and Crafts style pub in Croydon, South London. This pub is permanently...
Former Legat’s School of Ballet, East Sussex
The Grade II Former Legat’s School of Ballet in East Sussex was built in 1865. Former Legat’s School of Ballet, nr Rotherfield, East Sussex (Grade II, 1865, exterior: George Goldie,...
Former Church of St Luke, Cheshire
The Grade II* former Church of St Luke in Warrington, built in 1892 by Bodley & Garner. The former church of St Luke was designed by the distinguished architect George...
Former Captain Cook Pub in Teesside, Middlesbrough
Grade II-listed– 1893 – Robert Moore. The former Captain Cook Pub has stood boarded up and empty for ten years. The sorry state of the building today is a far...
Former Bavaria Place Police Station in Bradford
Grade II-listed – 1877 – Milnes & France. This dramatic gothic towered former Police station on a corner plot in Bradford is in dire need of saving. Built in 1877...
Former Anglo-Bavarian Brewery in Shepton Mallet, Somerset
Grade II*-listed– 1864 – architect unknown. The imposing former Anglo-Bavarian Brewery, claimed to be the country’s first lager brewery, demonstrates the growth of colossal brewery buildings following the 1830 Beerhouse...
Fison’s Fertiliser Factory in Bramford, Suffolk on 2017 Top 10 Endangered Buildings list
Urgent work needed to save important part of Victorian industrial history National architecture charity the The Victorian Society has included Fison’s Fertiliser Factory in Bramford on its 2017 Top 10...
Ex-Prudential Assurance Company Offices in Oldham, Greater Manchester
Grade II-listed—1889 – A. Waterhouse & Son. This fine building is one of a series of offices designed by one of the Victorian period’s greatest architects Alfred Waterhouse. Waterhouse’s other...
Defeat for Bath’s heritage as Abbey pew removal is permitted
The Chancellor of the Diocese of Bath and Wells has granted permission for Bath Abbey to permanently remove its fine nave pews, despite opposition from The Victorian Society. This follows...
Darlington Street Methodist Church in Wolverhampton
Grade II*-listed – 1900-01 – Arthur Marshall. This impressive Baroque style church in Wolverhampton City Centre Conservation Area is a significant local landmark with its copper dome and twin west towers....
Everton Library, Liverpool
The Grade II-listed Everton Library in Liverpool was built in 1896 by Thomas Shelmerdine. When the impressive Everton Library opened in 1896 it was one of the earliest public libraries...
Cowbridge School, Wales
Cowbridge School in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales is currently unlisted. It was built in 1896 by Robert Williams. In a small town in south Wales stands this historic former...
Chatterley Whitfield Colliery, Staffordshire
The Chatterley Whitfield Colliery in Staffordshire was built in the C19 & 20 and is Grade II*-listed and a Scheduled Monument. On the outskirts of Chell in Staffordshire, stands an...
The Victorian Society’s 2019 Top 10 Endangered Buildings
An overview of 2019’s Top 10 Most Endangered Buildings National architecture charity the The Victorian Society has released their annual Top 10 Most Endangered Buildings List, which highlights the most...
Butterley Spillway, Marsden, West Yorkshire
At risk of replacement by concrete Resembling an immense staircase, this reservoir spillway is one of our most unusual endangered buildings. It was designed to allow the release of excess...
Bromley-by-Bow gasholders, London
The Grade II Bromley-by-Bow gasholders in East London were constructed in 1872. Bromley-by-Bow gasholders, London (All Grade II, 1872, Clark & Kirkham) This patch of seven gasholders (the eighth was...
Brighton Hippodrome in Brighton
Grade II*-listed – 1901 – Frank Matcham. Brighton Hippodrome, designed by renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham, is the country’s finest surviving example of a circus theatre. The building, originally built...
Brandwood End Cemetery Chapels, Birmingham
The Brandwood End Cemetery Chapels in Birmingham are Grade II-listed and built in 1898. Brandwood End Cemetery Chapels, Birmingham (Grade II, 1898, J Brewill Holmes) These red brick, neo-gothic mortuary...
Bracebridge Pumping Station in Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Grade II-listed– 1881 – architect unknown. A Worksop landmark, the former Pumping Station has been abandoned for decades. Although surrounded by an overgrown plot, it is easily accessible by road...
News
Complete list of news items LISSCA sends letter to the Editor of The Times 10 May 2023 Could you be our next Chair of the Board of Trustees? 05...
Agecroft Chapel, Salford
Watching over the dead – and near death itself Its walls shrouded by ivy, a mortuary chapel looms high over a Salford cemetery. Closed and effectively abandoned in the 1980s,...
Griff Rhys Jones and heritage campaigners to ask Michael Gove to decide Liverpool Street Station’s future
The campaign to Save Liverpool Street Station (LISSCA) will ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, to ‘call in’ plans to partially demolish Liverpool...
Former Office for the Board of Guardians of Walsall Poor Law Union features in The Victorian Society’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings list 2023
The former Office for the Board of Guardians of Walsall Poor Law Union is on The Victorian Society’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings list 2023. The building is now in urgent need of...
Blackborough House mansion that became a hostel for the homeless on Top Ten Endangered Buildings list 2023
Blackborough House in Kentisbeare in Devon is on The Victorian Society’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings list 2023. The house is one of Devon’s finest architectural gems set in the Blackdown Hills...