Description

1. WHARF STREET
5127 (south side)

Museum (formerly listed
as Cloth Hall)
SU 4767 SW 6/230 29.9.50

I GV

2.
1626-27 by Richard Emmes of Speenhamland (Master Carpenter) for the Newbury
Corporation for use as a cloth factory. The original building was of courtyard
plan of which the former south "rowe" or range survives as the museum. By 1659 the
building was used as a workhouse (Kendrick's Hospital). From 1706-22 part of the
building was adapted for use as a Blue Coat School. With the formation of the
River Kennet Waterway Trade in 1714 the old Cloth Hall became a grain store. The
north and east ranges were probably demolished circa 1829 when the south range was
renovated. Restored in 1897 and converted for use as a museum in 1902-4. In 1934
the Walter Money Memorial gallery was built as the east end in similar style to
link the museum with the Old Granary (qv). Two-and-a-half storeys. Six bay north
front with 1st floor jetty and 3 large.gables. Tile roof with a brick chimney
(circa 1897?) with 2 diagonal shafts on a square stack. Timber-framed with plaster
panels. Ground floor bays with semi-circular wood pilasters carrying semi-elliptical
blind arcade. Jetty with carved (mostly restored) brackets and moulded bressumer.
Mullioned windows with leaded lights and cornices; 3 light attic windows; 4 light
1st floor windows with transoms; 4 light ground floor windows. Openings and doorway
formed in west gable wall (former party wall) before 1759 in similar style to
remainder. Doorway (remodelled 1902-4) with pilasters and coved, bracketted hood
carried round from bressumer. Panelled door. Former doorway in west bay of north
front. Modern interior.
(Trans Newbury Field Club X (1955-6) 21-41).

Listing NGR: SU4724367135

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• West Berkshire Museum at Wikipedia
• West Berkshire Museum official website
• Wikidata Q7984470

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Derbyshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  For the Record
• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair