Howard's End

Cadw's description

Location

Situated to SE of former county gaol.

History

Small house, a detached outbuilding to the County Gaol built 1830-2 by Thomas Penson. There is a matching house to the NW of the gaol and they are said to have been male and female infirmaries, but also said to have been warders houses. The gaol closed in 1878 and the buildings were sold. The name Howard's End dates from the late C20 ownership by Louis Blom-Cooper QC, founder of the Howard League for Penal Reform.

Exterior

House, partly of red brick partly of greenish stone in large squared blocks, with slate hipped roof and SW end ashlar sandstone corniced stack. Two storeys. NW elevation of brick with raised eaves course and signs of alteration at both ends. Modern plaster disguised as brick to left pier and wall slightly out-turned to straight joint with original brick right pier, bonded into SW end elevation, which is of stone to two thirds but red brick to right with one small modern upper window. NW elevation has stone-framed openings, small single light to first floor left and modern small window below, tall narrow doorway to left of centre with boarded door and barred overlight, and, to right, a 30-pane sash window with very small panes each floor. NE end wall of brick with small stone framed window to first floor left and hipped two-storey brick C20 addition to right. Windowless stone rear SE wall with modern hipped single-storey addition.

Interior

Interior not inspected.

Reason for designation

Included for historic and group interest as part of an 1830s prison complex.