Wellington Court

Wellington Court
The main building of Wellington Court, formerly Red Barracks
Map
Alternative namesRed Barracks
General information
TypeBarracks
Architectural styleGeorgian architecture
Town or cityWeymouth, Dorset
CountryEngland
Coordinates50°36′22″N 2°27′04″W / 50.606044°N 2.451055°W / 50.606044; -2.451055
Groundbreaking1795
Completed1801
Opened1796
OwnerPrivate
Technical details
Structural systemRed brick, part rendered
MaterialRed brick
Floor count3
DesignationsGrade II listed
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameWellington Court[1]
Reference no.1313414
Wellington Court overlooking Weymouth Harbour, above Nothe Parade on the waterfront

Wellington Court (formerly Red Barracks) is a former barracks overlooking Weymouth Harbour in Weymouth, Dorset, England. It has been converted to housing and apartments. The original building is Grade II listed.[1]

History

Red Barracks were first conceived and built as cavalry barracks in 1795–6.[2][3] The barracks were rebuilt in 1801 around a parade area, following a fire in 1798, and used as infantry barracks, with accommodation for 17 officers and 270 men.[2] There was also a 30-bed hospital.[3] The barracks were built because King George III understood the need to improve Great Britain’s defences against potential invasion by Napoleon’s French troops.[3] The barracks were one of three built in Weymouth. During the Napoleonic Wars, the barracks stationed troops from Hanover.[3]

The main three-story block is to the southwest of where the parade ground was located.[2] It is a long rectangular building with four doorways facing what was the parade ground. There are sash windows.[1]

There is a plan of the barracks dating from 1907 in the UK National Archives.[4] The site was sold in 1984 for subsequent redevelopment as Wellington Court.[5]

The site is located on Barrack Road, which leads to Nothe Fort.[6] Weymouth Peace Garden (formerly a burial ground) is located immediately adjacent to the site and Nothe Gardens are close by to the location.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Wellington Court: A Grade II Listed Building in Weymouth East, Dorset". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  2. ^ a b c 'Weymouth', in An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Dorset. Vol. 2. UK: British History Online. 1970. pp. 330–374. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d "Georgian Walks – Part Two". Weymouthwalks.co.uk. UK. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  4. ^ "Weymouth Red and Bincleaves Barracks. Skeleton Record Plan of Barracks". UK: The National Archives. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  5. ^ Cox, Tara (22 August 2015). "Plan to replace Red Barracks windows turned down as it 'wouldn't respect the historical character' of listed building". Dorset Echo. UK. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  6. ^ "The Nothe, Nothe Fort and Portland Breakwater". Weymouth-Dorset.co.uk. UK. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  7. ^ "Nothe Gardens". dorsetforyou.com. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2012.