An Exploration of Mansfield - Part 3

A general view of Church Street

From arriving in Mansfield to finding the railway viaduct at Albert Street, it had taken no more than 70 minutes, yet I had already encountered some very interesting geology and numerous historic buildings – including various houses on West Gate and public and commercial buildings in and around Market Place. 

A building site on Midworth Street

Carrying on down Midworth Street, I stopped briefly at a building site where the drainage was being laid and the red colour of the excavated material suggested that the bedrock here is similar to that seen at the old Sill’s Quarry. 

A view of the railway viaduct from Midworth Street

Further down the hill, which eventually leads to the church of St. Peter and St. Paul, the Old Maltings, c.1800, has an expanse of White Mansfield stone walling, which displays the characteristic weathering pattern that is seen in this stone. 

The Old Maltings

This dull yellow dolomitic sandstone, which is a sandy variation of the Cadeby Formation, is interspersed with irregularly distributed beds of green clay that differentially weathers to leave a texture that is reminiscent of old, crinkled leather. 

Differential weathering in White Mansfield stone

On Church Side, the Old Grammar School has an interesting construction history. Founded in 1551, it was subsequently rebuilt 1714-19 and then restored and extended in 1851, with further additions at the end of the C19. 

The Old Grammar School

At the junction of Midworth Street and Church Side there is the very fine Church House. Dated to c.1775, it is built in Red Mansfield sandstone ashlar – the only large house built entirely in this variety of stone that I recall seeing in Mansfield. 

Church House

Apparently, Red Mansfield was considered to be more susceptible to weathering than the White Mansfield and was so used preferentially indoors and in small quantities for ornamental effect on the outside of buildings. 

A view up Church Street towards Market Place

On Church Street, leading up to Market Place, there are several more Grade II Listed buildings that contribute more to group value of the Conservation Area than being protected on the strength of their own individual architectural merit.

36 Church Street

 

Having by now had a very good walk around the historic parts of Mansfield, I then took a couple of photos of the modern sculpture, by David Annand, at the bottom of Church Street before heading off to see even more historic buildings on Bridge Street.

Amphitheatre by David Annand