NHER 12917 (Building record) - King's Lynn Conservancy Board Offices and Pilot's Tower, Ferry Street/Common Staithe Quay

June 1972. Listed Grade II.

November 1977. Field observation.
Visited by E. Rose (NAU).
Late 19th century (1864) red brick tower, octagonal rising from square base which bears embossed stone letters 'Pilots Office Mooring Dues'. To south Venetian loggia with two pediments.
Compiled by E. Rose (NAU), 2 November 1977. Information from record card (S1).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 20 July 2023.

Weather vane on roof connected to compass rose in ceiling to show wind direction; not now in use. The building was constructed by the former Harbour Mooring Commission. Information from press cutting (S2).
Compiled by E. Rose (NAU), 18 February 1982. Information from record card (S1).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 20 July 2023.

The building is included in (S3). See also image in press cutting (S4).

A cannon is situated on or near this building, and has been used as a bollard. The cannon is 1.2m (4ft 1 1/2ins) high, with a bore measuring 82mm (3 1/4ins) and a maximum diameter of 220mm (8 3/4ins). See photograph (S3) held by King's Lynn Museum.
Compiled by E. Rose (NAU). Information from record card (S1).
Presumed to refer to cannon bollard to east now recorded as NHER 63520.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 20 July 2023.

Listing Description excerpt:
"Public baths and pilot office, now offices. Baths, 1856, pilot office 1864, joined together and converted to present use in 1987. Red brick with rendered details. Slate roof. One to two storeys. West front composed of a three-bay narthex arcade on square rusticated piers flanked to each side by a bay defined by pilasters carrying pediments. Behind rises a hipped two-storey, three-bay element lit by sashes with glazing bars in recessed panels. Stack to east end of central ridge. Short linking wall leads left from facade pierced by a blocked arched door and an arched sash to base of tower (former pilot office). This has a paired sash to east and north faces under gault brick gauged arches. Broaches lead into octagonal two-storey tower with oculi to alternate facets to lower storey and paired sashes to top storey in each facet. Corbelled parapet and pyramid roof festooned with short and medium wave radio antennae. INTERIOR. Rooms variously panelled; panelled doors; high counter to public office under tower."
Information from (S6).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S6) for the current listing details.
P. Watkins (HES), 20 July 2023.

The swimming pool is now disused and lies empty beneath the boxing club which currently occupies this part of the building. It was still in use as a swimming pool in the 1950s.
A. Cattermole (King's Lynn UAD), 26 November 2018.