An Exploration of Mansfield - Part 1

The sundial on West Gate

On leaving the old Sill’s Quarry, with my rucksack now heavier due to the samples of Red Mansfield stone that I had collected, I headed off towards the centre of Mansfield and soon came across an example of this stone used in a boundary wall, together with White Mansfield stone. 

A boundary wall  on Chesterfield Road South

This wall, which is surprisingly listed, marks the extent of the land surrounding the Roman Catholic Church of St Philip Neri, which is built in red brick with what looks like Portland limestone dressings; however, looking closely, the latter is actually a cement based artificial stone. 

The church of St. Philip Neri

Moving on, more of the white and red varieties of Mansfield stone are seen in Westgate House, c,1780, and the coach house next door, which are both built in good quality ashlar, with the latter having unusual quatrefoil windows. 

Westgate House

Entering West Gate, it soon becomes clear that Mansfield stone, in shades that range in colour from pale yellow to dull red/brown, has been used ubiquitously in the historic architecture of this market town - on this street alone, there are nearly 30 listed buildings. 

General views of historic buildings on West Gate

Although many are modest houses interspersed with modern infill developments, some sympathetic but others ugly – like the concrete Four Season Shopping Centre whose most interesting feature is its abstract sculpture - they add character to the street and to the Conservation Area as a whole for their group value. 

Cromwell House

I particular liked the C17 Cromwell House and the very grand looking Waverley House, dated 1754, with its classical portico, Doric columns and heavy rustication to the ground floor windows, quoins and miscellaneous dressings. 

Waverley House

The latter forms one side of a small open square that is occupied by the old market cross, which dates to c.1600 and is topped by a cubical sundial with a ball finial. Next to this is the Westgate Pump, which commemorates the first Methodist service in Mansfield conducted by John Adams.

The old market cross and sundial  on West Gate