Listed Building: DORCHESTER COUNTY HOSPITAL (MAIN BLOCK ONLY) (393669)

SOMERLEIGH ROAD 1. 5191 (East Side) Dorchester County Hospital (Main block only) SY 6990 7/287 II 2. Founded 1838, and designed shortly after. North wing opened May 1841: centre 1846: South wing 1859: chapel 1862. Architect: Benjamin Ferrey. Portland hammerdressed stone. Ashlar quoins. Pitched tile roofs. Ashlar chimneys with diagonally placed stacks. Coped stone gable ends with scrolled and fluted kneelers. 2 storeys and attics. Continuous dripmould above ground floor. U-shaped main block, with wings projecting west. Main range has 3 projecting bays, centre one projecting most, and all 3 with gable crowning 3rd storey. Central projecting bay has modern door in 4 centred arch with moulded jambs and voussiors: recessed moulded panel at dripstone level bearing armorial coat and motto in relief: 3-light mullion and transom window with hood mould on 1st floor and 2-light mullioned window with hoodmould on 2nd floor. 2 other projecting bays have 4-light mullion and transom windows on ground and 1st floors and 2-light mullion windows on 2nd floor - hoodmoulds to windows on lst and 2nd floors. Between projecting bays there are 1 range each of 3-light mullion and transom windows, and 1 range each of single light windows with transoms. Terminal wings have (to courtyard) 2 ranges each of 4-light mullion and transom windows. End elevations masked by modern additions which are not listable. Chapel, erected as memorial to Arthur Acland Troyte, who had been introduced to Ferrey by the Williams of Bridehead (Ferrey's original patrons in the Dorchester area, and the sponsors of the Hospital), had himself become an architect under Ferrey's guidance, and who had died in 1857. 2 storeys. Stringcourse. Undercroft has blocked pointed arcade. lst floor has 4 pointed lancets with EE tracery, hoodmoulds and mask label stops, East end has 3-light window also with EE tracery. Interior plain with contemporary pews, lectern,altar rail, and gallery. Stained glass in east window. Cornice decorated with inscription in high relief "Praise the Lord O my soul and forget not his benefits who forgiveth all thy sin and healeth all thine infirmities." Listing NGR: SY6909890604

Record last edited

Jul 31 2023 4:05PM