History

Circa l805 ruins of observatory built for Charles Greville as part of the early foundation of Milford, intended as the centrepiece of a 'College of King George III', but although the observatory was built and equipped the project was abandoned on Greville's death in l809.

Exterior

Rubble stone octagonal observatory with upper part vaulted and slit for telescope openings, the segments of the vault now free-standing leaving a top opening of some 8 feet diameter. Two segments have collapsed inwards. The inner vaulting was of brick. Original ground floor has arched entry with cut stone arch, and circular interior with remains of ceiling vaulting.

Low single storey outbuildings to W, E and N in rubble stone, that to left with one door and plain stone voussoirs to head, that to right has short recessed section with arched doorway and then blank arched panel in main part. Rear of this section has one arched window and corresponding door in recess. N rear wing is altered.

Scheduled Ancient Monument: Pe 387

Reasons for Listing

A very early example of the domed observatory with slit openings.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q17742761

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

• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)