File:Shrewsbury Library - School Gardens, Shrewsbury - sign - Welcome to Shrewsbury Library (24929227414).jpg

Just off Castle Gates and Castle Street near School Gardens is Shrewsbury Library.

The Charles Darwin statue is seen in front.

It was formerly Shrewsbury School (until that moved to the other side of the River Severn).

It is Grade I listed.

<a href="http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-455418-library-shrewsbury-#.VtxPOdBy3dQ" rel="noreferrer nofollow">Library, Shrewsbury</a>

   SHREWSBURY

   SJ4912NW CASTLE GATES
   653-1/11/153 (West side)
   10/01/53 Library
   (Formerly Listed as:
   CASTLE GATES
   (West side)
   Museum and Library)

   GV I

   Library, formerly Shrewsbury Grammar School. 2 phases, one
   dated 1595, the other dated 1630. Coursed and squared rubble,
   with roof not visible behind parapet.
   PLAN: main entrance range, with tower at angle, and gabled
   cross range beyond to right.
   EXTERIOR: entrance block of 1630, 3 storeys, 5-window range
   with central shallow segmental archway with fluted Corinthian
   columns on high bases. 2 male figures stand on the columns,
   with inscriptions in Greek beneath and between them, and the
   date. Four 2-light chamfered mullioned windows each side to
   ground floor, 4-light mullioned and transomed windows over,
   and on top storey, 2- and 3-light mullioned windows, one cut
   by carved Royal Arms with lion and unicorn. String courses are
   Greek motifs, each different. Parapet which sweeps up into
   fleur-de-lys finials. Decorated window in gable end, lighting
   principal room within. Massive sundials etched onto stonework
   on each facade.
   Tower to the right, 6 unequal stages, with blocked door to
   ground floor, then mullioned windows of 2 and 3 lights, one to
   each stage, lighting stair within. Clock in upper stage.
   Embattled parapet with pinnacles.
   Earlier gabled range to left dated 1595. Principal room at
   first-floor level, with wide Decorated-style window. Smaller
   mullioned and transomed window to lower storey, and date stone
   with inscription recording David Lloyd and Thomas Lewis.
   Chamfered segmentally-arched doorway and narrow window in the
   lowest stage.
   INTERIOR: cambered trusses. In the earlier block, the main
   hall has been extensively modified, and the ceiling, with
   moulded tie beams and traceried decoration, is a C19
   alteration.

   Listing NGR: SJ4937012803

This text is a legacy record and has not been updated since the building was originally listed. Details of the building may have changed in the intervening time. You should not rely on this listing as an accurate description of the building.

Source: English Heritage

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.