Listed Building record MDO27283 - Poole Museum (Warehouse To East Of The Town Cellar), Paradise Street, Poole

During the 12th century to 14th century, Poole developed into a very prosperous town as a result of overseas trade. A Royal Charter of 1433 established Poole as a staple port which gave it the authority to collect customs duties on behalf of the King. From the late 17th century until its decline in the mid-19th century, Poole was considered one of the busiest ports in England, establishing strong trade links with Europe, the Baltic and North America.

The former warehouse on the High Street is situated close to The Quay and was probably used for storing corn or grain. It dates from the early 19th century and was extended and heightened in the late 19th century. The building has been a museum for some years, but was it refurbished in the early 21st century and renamed the Waterfront Museum.

The current list description reads thus:

Early 19th century, extended and heightened in late 19th century. English bond brickwork, slate roof. Later building five-storeys, encases E end of three and four-storeys; seven-window range. Near symmetrical SE front angled at central bay, which has blind ground- and first-floor windows; openings with cambered heads and boarded shutters, hoist bays third and sixth from the left, with ashlar pillows to strap hinges and double doors, the left-hand one rising to a gabled lucarne. Left-hand gable has two centrally-placed openings. Sarum Street front has 2:2:6-window range with segmental-arched openings, the latter including a hoist bay with gabled lucarne in the second bay from the left.

INTERIOR: has timber construction with posts to pillows and cross beams. Although altered, this occupies a very prominent position near The Quay, amongst a significant group of historic buildings.

Since this description was compiled, the former warehouse has undergone refurbishment with the addition of a new glass and steel atrium at the eastern end of the building (High Street) and some internal alterations.

The Revised Principles of Selection for Listing Buildings, as laid out in Circular 01/07 (2007), state that buildings dating from before 1840 which survive close to their original condition are generally good candidates for listing. The general principles used are that before 1700, all buildings that contain a significant proportion of their original fabric are listed; from 1700 to 1840, most buildings are listed; and after 1840, because of the greatly increased number of buildings erected and the much larger numbers that have survived, progressively greater selection is necessary.

The special architectural and historic interest of this former warehouse was recognised by its inclusion on the list in 1974. Since that time, although there have been alterations, these appear to have been carried out sympathetically, and have not compromised the building's claims to special interest. However, its name has changed to the Waterfront Museum, and the list entry requires amendment to reflect this change. The list description has also been up-dated to reflect more accurately the building's special interest and to help inform its future management. <2>

<1> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 2, 233 (Monograph). SDO149.

<2> English Heritage, English Heritage Listing File, List case 169911, in file 412574/002 (Scheduling record). SDO17502.

<3> Historic England, Historic England Archive, 2K/07520 (Index). SDO14738.

WAREHOUSE Now a museum

<4> Historic England, Historic England Archive, BF110930 (Index). SDO14738.

England's Landscapes

<5> Historic England, Historic England Archive, VF000018 (Index). SDO14738.

South-West Mills

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1509328 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Nov 11 2024 12:25PM