Wellington Court (formerly Red Barracks) is a former barracks overlooking Weymouth HarbourinWeymouth, Dorset, England. It has been converted to housing and apartments. The original building is Grade II listed.[1]
Wellington Court | |
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The main building of Wellington Court, formerly Red Barracks
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Alternative names | Red Barracks |
General information | |
Type | Barracks |
Architectural style | Georgian architecture |
Town or city | Weymouth, Dorset |
Country | England |
Coordinates | 50°36′22″N 2°27′04″W / 50.606044°N 2.451055°W / 50.606044; -2.451055 |
Groundbreaking | 1795 |
Completed | 1801 |
Opened | 1796 |
Owner | Private |
Technical details | |
Structural system | Red brick, part rendered |
Material | Red brick |
Floor count | 3 |
Designations | Grade II listed |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
Official name | Wellington Court[1] |
Reference no. | 1313414 |
Red Barracks were first conceived and built as cavalry barracks in 1795–6.[2][3] The barracks were rebuilt in 1801 around a parade area, following a fire in 1798, and used as infantry barracks, with accommodation for 17 officers and 270 men.[2] There was also a 30-bed hospital.[3] The barracks were built because King George III understood the need to improve Great Britain’s defences against potential invasion by Napoleon’s French troops.[3] The barracks were one of three built in Weymouth. During the Napoleonic Wars, the barracks stationed troops from Hanover.[3]
The main three-story block is to the southwest of where the parade ground was located.[2] It is a long rectangular building with four doorways facing what was the parade ground. There are sash windows.[1]
There is a plan of the barracks dating from 1907 in the UK National Archives.[4] The site was sold in 1984 for subsequent redevelopment as Wellington Court.[5]
The site is located on Barrack Road, which leads to Nothe Fort.[6] Weymouth Peace Garden (formerly a burial ground) is located immediately adjacent to the site and Nothe Gardens are close by to the location.[7]