Monument record MDO45038 - Lamp posts on The Esplanade, Weymouth

A series of lamp posts along the eastern side of The Esplanade. The series is believed to have been erected in the late 19th century; several of the group have been have been replaced by later examples. Each of the original cast-iron lamp posts consists of a tall fluted base with a maintenance door bearing the Weymouth arms, from which rises a tapering fluted shaft with moulded capital and finial; the lantern is suspended from a bracket with foliate openwork decoration. Most of the original lamp fittings have been replaced. The building was assessed for listing in 2010 but failed to meet the required criteria.

The lamp posts are spaced along the eastern side of The Esplanade, at the eastern edge of the town. The series is believed to have been erected in the late 19th century; several of the group have been have been replaced by later examples. Each of the original cast-iron lamp posts consists of a tall fluted base with a maintenance door bearing the Weymouth arms, from which rises a tapering fluted shaft with moulded capital and finial; the lantern is suspended from a bracket with foliate openwork decoration. Most of the original lamp fittings have been replaced.

All heritage assets considered for listing must be assessed according to the criteria set out in the Principles of Selection for Listing Buildings (March 2010), which state that structures of special interest for their architectural design, decoration, craftsmanship, or technical innovation may be listed; a structure may also qualify for listing if it illustrates an important aspect of the nation¿s history. More vigorous discrimination is needed in assessing structures erected after 1840, owing to the much greater rate of survival after this date. The English Heritage Street Furniture Selection Guide (2007) provides further guidance, stating that earliness of date and quality of design are important factors in assessing lamp posts for listing, and that group value may also be relevant. The English Heritage Culture and Entertainment Buildings Selection Guide (2007) draws attention to the elaboration which may characterise seaside street furniture, and listed lamp posts lighting esplanades are often notable for the richness of their design.

Historic lamp posts survive in very large numbers, and many are listed. The lamp posts under consideration do not compare well with other listed examples, such as those lining the sea front at Brighton, which make up a very extensive series of ornamental lamp posts, dating from circa 1893. The lamp posts on the Weymouth Esplanade are not early in date; their design, whilst attractive, lacks exuberance; and they represent an incomplete sequence, several gaps in the line having been filled by later columns. Most of those that remain are altered, having lost their original lamp fittings. The lamp posts were not erected as part of a larger scheme, and have no clear association with listed structures on The Esplanade.

Although these lamp posts make a pleasing contribution to the character of the area, the group does not possess the architectural distinction or historical interest which might justify statutory designation. <1>

<1> English Heritage, English Heritage Listing File, 171585 (Scheduling record). SDO17502.

Report on case 171585.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1531796 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 12 2022 5:05PM