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Description

CRANWELL AND CRANWELL AVENUE TF 04 NW and BYARD'S LEAP (north side) SK 94 NE 6/17 and 7/17 College Hall at RAF Cranwell GV II College building. 1929-35, 1955-60. Restored 1984-6. Designed by Sir J M West. Red brick, Portland stone dressings, and Westmorland slate roofs. Central 19 bay, 2 storey main block, with 9 bay single storey links to U plan 1½ storey wings to east and west. Ashlar plinth. Main block is articulated with giant Ionic pilasters, coupled at the corners topped with an entablature, and with a central, projecting, hexastyle portico, with coupled corner columns and a pediment. Above a tall cupola topped by a small leaded dome. The windows are metal glazing bar casements, with moulded brick surrounds, those on the ground floor also have double ashlar keystones. The linking blocks have central projecting 3 bay ashlar pavilions articulated with Roman Doric ¾ columns supporting an entablature and a high moulded parapet, with double glazing bar doors between in ashlar moulded surrouns with triple keystones decorated with coats of arms. On either side 3 glazing bar casements in moulded brick surrounds with double keystones, and topped by an ashlar entablature. The wings have an ashlar entablature over the ground floor and ashlar cornice. These U plan wings have slightly projecting 3 bay central pavilions topped with pediments and surmounted by painted wooden cupolas, and 3 bay slightly projecting corner pavilions. The main south fronts of these wings are identical, each with a recessed 9 bay centre with glazing bar casements in moulded brick surrounds with double keystones, and a smaller, similar windows above, in plain surrounds. At either end are 3 bay pavilions with glazing bar casements in moulded ashlar surrounds with double keystones, the centre bays are flanked by Roman Doric ¾ columns. Above are 3 similar smaller windows, the centre ones with segment headed, moulded ashlar surrounds with rusticated joints. The north west section of the western wing was built 1955-60. Interior: has a central 2 storey hall with a circular upper gallery with ornate iron railings, and a moulded plaster ceiling with a shallow dome, leading off the hall are a pair of matching, 2 flight return staircases with ornate iron balustrades. The 2 storey dining hall has giant Corinthian pilasters, and a moulded plaster ceiling with musicians gallery. All the fireplaces have plain marble, bolection moulded surrounds. All the doors, doorcases and wooden fittings are of Burman teak. Most of the original bronze light fittings survive. The Library contains much of its original fittings, including bookcases. Much of the original furniture, some designed by Gordon Russell, survives. Listing NGR: SK9989649885

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