How Old is the Palace Green Pavilion?
It has been difficult to establish the exact date first phase of the building. An initial analysis of the Pavilion’s architectural details suggested that it dated from the late 18th century. However no documentary evidence has yet been found to confirm this and early 19th century seems more likely. Although the wooden tracery on the bow window is of 18th century styling, the detailing is too heavy for this period. The stone surrounds to the original entrance gateways to the Pavilion (now blocked) are of the type found from the mid-18th century onward, but the tradition may have continued on in the hands of Berwick masons until well into the 19th century.
The ornate internal doorcase was probably the original entrance to the hall. This form of an architrave with corner blocks was a common feature during the Regency period (c.1810–20). In buildings of advanced type (such as the work of Sir John Soane and James Playfair) it may be found as early as the late 1780s, but in Berwick it is found well into the 1830s and ’40s (Castle Hills House for example) and so precise dating on stylistic grounds is potentially unreliable.
Note: Research into the history of the Palace Green area is ongoing and any new information will be most welcome.
Is the Palace Green Pavilion Listed?
The dwarf wall and gate piers were listed (Grade II) in 1971. A more comprehensive listing (below) was made in 2003.
English Heritage Listings of Palace Green (Grade II)
- Berwick Scout Hall and attached Dwarf Wall and Gates
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Scout Hall and attached wall and gates. Early C18, early C19 with mid C20 alterations. Dressed stone with ashlar dressings and slate roofs. West, north and east sides have curved dwarf stone wall with late C20 steel spearhead railings surrounding present garden enclosure. Pairs of chamfered stone gatepiers on both the North and West sides, and original corner piers now visible on later building to south. This flat garden was reputedly laid out as a Bowling Green in the early eighteenth century.
- The single storey buildings to the south have two symmetrically spaced early-eighteenth century moulded ashlar doorways, now blocked, on south side. Single small sash window to left of the left hand blocked door.
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North side, facing garden, has rendered central block altered c1930, with hipped roof and plain central door flanked by tripartite casements. Projecting wing to left has single large sash and C20 door. Right range has doorway and canted bay window with unusual moulded glazing.
These buildings were used as a Reading Room in the early nineteenth century, though they may well have begun life as a clubhouse or pavilion serving the former Bowling Green.
How Do We Know the Pavilion's Historical Information is Correct?
Recent archive research by the Berwick Recording Group suggests that English Heritage references to the Pavilion's early 18th century existence are incorrect.
The photographs of the English Heritage team and Berwick Recording Group below show the "Measuring up" and survey of the Pavilion inside and outside the building. The culmination of all the findings are outlined in the History page and its sub-sections.
