The Governor's House, Palace Green (Berwick upon Tweed)
The Governor's House, Palace Green, Berwick.
(NT 99985256) Governor's House (NAT). (1)
840 PALACE GREEN (East Side)
No 1 (The Governor's House)
NT 9952 11/135 1.8.52.
II*
2.
This now occupies the whole of the East side of the Green. Early 18th century, attributed to Vanbrugh, and having features similar to the Barracks (see Parade). Consists of centre three-storeyed block and flanking two-storeyed wings. Centre block roughcast, ashlar pilasters at angles, cornice at second floor level, and smaller one at wallhead, armorials in cartouche above door. Neat 19th century stone porch. 20th century yellow brick chimneys. One, three, one windows. Wings have gabled centres and crow-stepped end gables, blocked centre archway, five windows. (2)
Old Governor's House probably on same site as present Governor's House. In 1578, description of 'My Lord's Lodgings' may refer to this or the Palace (see NT 95 SE 296). In 1604 the Lord Governors House was taken over by Mayor and Bailiffs. Mr Cowe noted in recent sewer excavations (1970s) outside the Governor's House large quantities of ashlar lying at random as from a demolished building at a depth of 3m-4m. May have some connection with old Governor's house or with other important buildings in this area. (3)
The building is attributed to Nicholas Hawksmoor (1661-1730) for the Board of Ordnance as part of the development of the Berwick garrison. Formerly the residence of the Military Governor of the Garrison of Berwick-upon-Tweed, c.1719 with 19th century alterations. The Governor's house and garden forms a key element of the garrisoned frontier settlement which evolved throughout the medieval and post-medieval periods. From 1482 the town was garrisoned and was administered by a military governor. Documentary evidence suggests that the Governor was provided with a residence and a garden. The area occupied by that residence and garden is thought to coincide with that of the present house. (4)
The buildings of the southern range, along Palace Street, include the original stables and coach house associated with the Governor's House as well as a series of buildings that represent development of the site as a brewery between 1850 and 1950 (including an old brewhouse, and brewery kiln). None of the buildings retain any surviving historic fixtures or fittings. (5)
Residence of Governor of Berwick Early 18th century. Used as the Governor's house until 1833; private school, later brewery, motor repair works and offices. Now flats. (Cowe 29). Early 18th century main block and lower wings, (the north is number 1a) with additions and alterations. 20th rear brewery outbuildings not described. Baroque style. Rendered front with ashlar dressings top floor of pecked coursed squared stone; rubble south wing; rear of both wings rendered, the north pebble-dashed; rear of main block has 3 lowest storeys painted; renewed slate roofs with renewed yellow brick chimneys Main block symmetrical, with 3 storeys and basement, 1:3:1 windows separated by broad ashlar pilasters; deep cornice above first floor runs across pilasters; smaller cornice on eaves parapet. Central porch, probably later, has Tuscan angle pilasters, segmental roof, and segmental-headed light in raised stone surround; left return has wide steps and wrought-iron balustrade to door with 4 flat panels; wrought-iron footscraper inserted to left of door. Blocked basement windows. Renewed sashes, plain except for 4-pane on top floor, in painted surrounds. Steeply-pitched roof has return stepped gables with chimneys. Low south wing to right has relieving arches over blocked openings at basement level, and plain stone surrounds to renewed sashes irregularly-spaced above. Low north wing has 2 storeys, 3 windows; further north an arched yard entrance under a tower, and 2-storey single bay.. Low Venetian window at centre of wing, with keyed oeil-de-boeuf to right; northernmost bay has keyed round-headed surround; plain sashes on first floor. All windows renewed. Tower has recessed panel with door of 3 over 3 flat panels; 6-pane sash above; blocked roundel in gable peak. To right, a small hip over central bay of wing. Rear of south wing has porch dated 1913. Over central door, an eroded stone cartouche. (6)
Additional reference. (7)
This is a Grade II Listed Building protected by law,
840 PALACE GREEN (East Side)
No 1 (The Governor's House)
NT 9952 11/135 1.8.52.
II*
2.
This now occupies the whole of the East side of the Green. Early 18th century, attributed to Vanbrugh, and having features similar to the Barracks (see Parade). Consists of centre three-storeyed block and flanking two-storeyed wings. Centre block roughcast, ashlar pilasters at angles, cornice at second floor level, and smaller one at wallhead, armorials in cartouche above door. Neat 19th century stone porch. 20th century yellow brick chimneys. One, three, one windows. Wings have gabled centres and crow-stepped end gables, blocked centre archway, five windows. (2)
Old Governor's House probably on same site as present Governor's House. In 1578, description of 'My Lord's Lodgings' may refer to this or the Palace (see NT 95 SE 296). In 1604 the Lord Governors House was taken over by Mayor and Bailiffs. Mr Cowe noted in recent sewer excavations (1970s) outside the Governor's House large quantities of ashlar lying at random as from a demolished building at a depth of 3m-4m. May have some connection with old Governor's house or with other important buildings in this area. (3)
The building is attributed to Nicholas Hawksmoor (1661-1730) for the Board of Ordnance as part of the development of the Berwick garrison. Formerly the residence of the Military Governor of the Garrison of Berwick-upon-Tweed, c.1719 with 19th century alterations. The Governor's house and garden forms a key element of the garrisoned frontier settlement which evolved throughout the medieval and post-medieval periods. From 1482 the town was garrisoned and was administered by a military governor. Documentary evidence suggests that the Governor was provided with a residence and a garden. The area occupied by that residence and garden is thought to coincide with that of the present house. (4)
The buildings of the southern range, along Palace Street, include the original stables and coach house associated with the Governor's House as well as a series of buildings that represent development of the site as a brewery between 1850 and 1950 (including an old brewhouse, and brewery kiln). None of the buildings retain any surviving historic fixtures or fittings. (5)
Residence of Governor of Berwick Early 18th century. Used as the Governor's house until 1833; private school, later brewery, motor repair works and offices. Now flats. (Cowe 29). Early 18th century main block and lower wings, (the north is number 1a) with additions and alterations. 20th rear brewery outbuildings not described. Baroque style. Rendered front with ashlar dressings top floor of pecked coursed squared stone; rubble south wing; rear of both wings rendered, the north pebble-dashed; rear of main block has 3 lowest storeys painted; renewed slate roofs with renewed yellow brick chimneys Main block symmetrical, with 3 storeys and basement, 1:3:1 windows separated by broad ashlar pilasters; deep cornice above first floor runs across pilasters; smaller cornice on eaves parapet. Central porch, probably later, has Tuscan angle pilasters, segmental roof, and segmental-headed light in raised stone surround; left return has wide steps and wrought-iron balustrade to door with 4 flat panels; wrought-iron footscraper inserted to left of door. Blocked basement windows. Renewed sashes, plain except for 4-pane on top floor, in painted surrounds. Steeply-pitched roof has return stepped gables with chimneys. Low south wing to right has relieving arches over blocked openings at basement level, and plain stone surrounds to renewed sashes irregularly-spaced above. Low north wing has 2 storeys, 3 windows; further north an arched yard entrance under a tower, and 2-storey single bay.. Low Venetian window at centre of wing, with keyed oeil-de-boeuf to right; northernmost bay has keyed round-headed surround; plain sashes on first floor. All windows renewed. Tower has recessed panel with door of 3 over 3 flat panels; 6-pane sash above; blocked roundel in gable peak. To right, a small hip over central bay of wing. Rear of south wing has porch dated 1913. Over central door, an eroded stone cartouche. (6)
Additional reference. (7)
This is a Grade II Listed Building protected by law,
N2476
DESK BASED ASSESSMENT, Buildings at Governor's House, Palace Street 2008; CgMs Consulting
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