Monument record MDO47493 - The Steam Engline House, Pilkington's Tiles Limited, Hamworthy, Poole

Former engine house, which is rectangular on plan, situated towards the south eastern end of the factory complex but is entirely surrounded by later buildings. It is constructed of brick (painted) with an ashlar plinth, and it has a hipped slate roof with overhanging eaves. The factory was designed by Staffordshire architect Robert Scrivenor and built by Messrs. W Curtis and G Gallop of Poole. The factory was completed in 1855. Since the late 19th century the site has expanded in size and many of the early structures have been demolished. The engine house has been entirely enclosed by later additions and is now subsumed within mostly 20th century industrial sheds.

The engine house is located on the site of the former Patent Architectural Pottery Company in Lower Hamworthy, Poole. The company was established in circa 1854 when three members of the Sanders family from Staffordshire set up a partnership to manufacture high quality encaustic tiles. The reddish clays deposited around the north and east of Poole Harbour, though not of the best quality are suitable for the manufacture of bricks and pottery, and by 1830 approximately one third of the pottery in England was made from Poole clay. Research undertaken by the applicant has determined that the Poole factory was designed by Staffordshire architect Robert Scrivenor and built by Messrs. W Curtis and G Gallop of Poole. The factory was completed in 1855. In 1895 the factory was bought by a rival company, the Patent Encaustic and Mosaic Ornamental and Brick Manufactory which was established on East Quay in Poole in 1861. This company was renamed Carter & Company (later known as Poole Pottery) and also produced tiles and architectural ceramics. By 1900 the company's operations and production were divided between these two factories; one producing white glazed tiles, the other producing floor tiles. In 1964 Carter & Company merged with Pilkington Tiles. Historical illustrations, dating from the late 19th century provide evidence for the form, layout and decorative treatment of the buildings that formed the pottery manufacturing site at this time. They depict a range of buildings including pottery kilns, chimneys, and various building ranges, together with the engine house which is the subject of this assessment. Since the late 19th century the site has expanded in size and many of the early structures have been demolished. The engine house has been entirely enclosed by later additions and is now subsumed within mostly 20th century industrial sheds, although some sections of walling which represent the remains of some of the 19th century building ranges do survive within the modern factory complex.

This former engine house, which is rectangular on plan, is situated towards the south eastern end of the factory complex but is entirely surrounded by later buildings. It is constructed of brick (painted) with an ashlar plinth, and it has a hipped slate roof with overhanging eaves. An illustration of circa 1855 provides evidence of the original form of the engine house. It depicts a tall, narrow building with a decorative dentil cornice and two tall, round-headed windows openings to the east elevation. There is some artistic license to this image as it shows ashlar quoins and dressings to the windows, which are not evident in the building as its stands today (2009). A late-19th century photograph provided by the applicant indicates that these window openings had been altered by circa 1890. The west elevation has corresponding arched openings, which have been blocked, and parts of the cornice are visible beneath the roofs of the modern sheds that enclose the engine house. The other elevations are plain and doorways have been inserted into the fabric, and there is no evidence for the former arched openings in the opposing, east elevation, suggesting that the wall here has been rebuilt. The applicant included photographs of a date stone inscribed `PAPC. AD.1854.¿, but this has been reset on a fragment of 19th century walling some distance from the engine house.

Internally, there is little in the way of any fixtures and fittings to demonstrate the building's original use. A false ceiling has also been inserted, but the roof timbers and a cast-iron water tank are visible through gaps in this.

The guidance set out in the Principles of Selection for listing (2007) make it clear that completeness of survival and the evidence of the manufacturing processes carried out on an industrial site which can be read in its structures and buildings will be key factors in the assessment of special interest. Architectural merit, historical significance, rarity and aspects of manufacturing or structural innovation can also enhance the case for listing. The Patent Architectural Pottery Company works was a notable and extensive manufacturing complex throughout the second half of the 19th century, and together with other pottery manufacturing sites in the area helped establish and sustain Poole's reputation for good quality ceramics. The company works was established in 1855 and achieved a national reputation for its high quality encaustic tiles. Despite being taken over by a rival company, it remains in production. Map evidence suggests that the site was constantly changing and growing until well into the late-20th century, with the remodelling or redevelopment of many parts of the site, as can be seen by comparing the O.S. maps of 1890 and 1933. The most significant survival at the site from the original mid-19th century phase of the works is the engine house. The building retains its recognisable form as an engine house, but has suffered alteration and the loss of its steam engine, and is itself a fragmentary survival of these mid-19th century pottery works. The lack of internal fixture and fittings associated with its original use also detracts from its interest. Whilst there is some good detailing to the exterior of the engine house, it is not a particularly fine design and perhaps most significantly, it does not retain its historic plant. Furthermore, no contemporary pottery buildings, such as kilns, chimneys and manufacturing ranges survive, except for a few fragmentary remains, and this further undermines the building's claims to special interest. Considering the losses, overall quality and alterations, the claims to special architectural or historic interest are thus not met. This is not to deny, however, the strong local interest of the building and indeed of the site. The engine house is notable for what does survive of its architectural detailing which enlivens an otherwise utilitarian building, and it is of historic interest as an integral component of a significant mid-19th century pottery manufacturing works within Poole. <1>

<1> English Heritage, English Heritage Listing File, Adviser's report on case 167383 (Scheduling record). SDO17502.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1500715 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 5 2023 3:15PM