Description

SANDHURST

SU86SE LONDON ROAD
674-1/18/301 (North West side)
08/07/98 Library, Royal Military Academy

GV II

Gymnasium, now library. 1862, converted to library 1900s.
MATERIALS: rendered with stone dressings and slate hipped
roof.
PLAN: T-shaped plan with rear extension.
STYLE: Classical style.
EXTERIOR: single storey, 2:3:2-bay range. Symmetrical front
with plinth, articulated by pilasters to entablature and eaves
cornice, with projecting pedimented entrance section, floating
cornice and iron lantern over early C20 4-panel double doors,
inscribed E VIII/RMC. Cill bands between pilasters, bays
flanking centre section have antae to large metal framed
windows with glazing bars to outer bays, 4-bay sides have
similar blind windows. Octagonal lantern over crossing has
6-pane windows, cornice and octagonal dome with iron finial.
INTERIOR: braced timber queen post roof, with wrought iron
trusses beneath ties at front and rear of crossing.
HISTORY: oldest example of army gymnasium, and only third
built, for the Army Gymnastic Staff. Strong roof was made so
that equipment could be suspended for exercises. Follows
pioneering design of the original Army gym at Aldershot
(demolished), impressive classical design, of historic
interest manifesting efforts to raise physical standard of
soldiers.
(Oldfield EAL: The Army Gymnastic Staff: 1952-).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26669773

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

• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)