NHER 26434 (Building record) - Britannia Barracks, now part of HM Prison Norwich

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Summary

Britannia Barracks was the Headquarters of the Royal Anglian Regiment and the Regimental Museum until recently. These buildings now form part of the Prison, which was built at the back of the old barracks, which were only recently still in use by the Regiment. The buildings were constructed in 1886 and 1887 by an unknown Royal Engineer. Rumour has it that the City, upon granting permission for construction on Mousehold Heath which overlooks the city, asked that they be given a pleasing appearance. As a result, the barrack building is thought to be one of the most architecturally sophisticated 19th century barracks in England. It is an almost unique example of Queen Anne revival style applied to a barracks, and may be the product of Colonel E Bland and Major E Clayton. The attached building, until recently a museum, is in plan a 60-pavillion hospital, but uniquely detailed.

Protected Status/Designation

Location

Map sheet	TG20NW
Civil Parish	NORWICH, NORWICH, NORFOLK

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Full Description

Britannia Barracks (HQ Royal Anglian Regiment and Regimental Museum) and HM Prison.

Constructed in three blocks with detached lodge to north-west now demolished. Dated 1886 and 1887. Part now used by prison service. Red brick and tile roofs. Stone detailing. Tall clock tower with rusticated quoins and pediment. Central square tower with cupola to massive four storey range with dormers. Three round headed arches under pediment lead to barrack square. Round tower attached to gatehouse. Detached block to north-west has octagonal two storey tower.
Information from (S1).
Press cutting in file (S2).
Compiled by E. Rose (NLA), 7 June 1995.

Revised listing 1999 gives much longer description and rhapsodises over the building which it calls the most architecturally sophisticated 19th century barracks in England with a unique plan; example of Queen Anne revival style applied to a barracks in the school of Norman Shaw but the architect is an unknown Royal Engineer. The attached building, until recently a museum, is in plan a 60-pavillion hospital, but uniquely detailed.
See listing for details.
Compiled by E. Rose (NLA), 10 March 1999.

(S2) repeats above, though it calls the syle 'incongruous' but states architects were Colonel E Bland and Major E Clayton, builder Kirk and Randall.
E. Rose (NLA), 4 January 1999.

See press cuttings (S3), (S4) and (S5) in file.
T. Sunley (NLA) 30 October 2007.

August 2008.
Proposal to give A-wing listed building status, but not granted
See (S6) for further information
H. White (NLA), 15 December 2008.

Associated Sources (10)

--- SNF99427 Designation: English Heritage. 1990-2013. English Heritage Listing Notification. Notification. DNF8017.
--- SNF58263 Monograph: Pevsner, N. and Wilson, B. 1997. Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. p 332.
--- SNF47587 Publication: Douet, J.. 1998. British Barracks 1600-1914.. p 174.
--- SNF8804 Secondary File: Secondary File.
<S1> SNF48662 Designation: Historic England. National Heritage List for England. List Entry 1280455.
<S2> SNF2961 Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1995. History is up for sale. 27 May.
<S3> SNF68777 Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1994. That £8.5m clink of cash. 30 April.
<S4> SNF68776 Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2002. Grandeur returns to Britannia House. 10 May.
<S5> SNF68775 Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1994. There's lots of life in this old boiler. 9 June.
<S6> SNF71263 Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2008. [Articles on the proposal for listing the Norwich's prison A-wing].

Site and Feature Types and Periods (3)

Object Types (0)

Related NHER Records (3)

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Record last edited

Aug 21 2018 4:08PM