Information for record number MWA1936:
Gas Works, Saltisford

Summary Warwick Gasworks in Saltisford, built in 1822, where gas was manufactured during the Imperial period. The building is one of the oldest and best preserved gasworks in the world. The central block has wings flanked by octagons containing the gasometers.
What Is It?  
Type: Gas Works
Period: Unknown
Where Is It?  
Parish: Warwick
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 27 65
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

  
Description

  
Source Number  

1 The Warwick Gas Works was built in 1822 near the basin, obtaining its raw materials from the coal wharves established at the waterside. By 1851 the gasworks comprised a one-storied central block with two-storeyed wings flanked by two octagonal gasometers. The gasometers, evidently dating from 1822, are treated architecturally as brick buildings. The central block contained the office, valve-house, and 'loder' and gave access to a court in which stood a large retort. As rail superseded water for the transportation of coal a tramway joined the gasworks.
2 Now occupied by Lawrence Gould, Rural building Consultant.
3 One of the oldest and best preserved gasworks in the world, being the notable surviving example of the pattern used on many sites, with twin octagonal towers flanking the entrances and offices, with the retort house to the rear.
4 Outline of the history of the gasworks and of the use of coal gas for lighting, with two photographs.
5 A building survey of the street frontage buildings of the former gasworks identified six major phases of building work. The initial phase included the two octagonal gasometer buildings and what may have been elements of the original central gateway. The gasometer buildings were constructed of hand-made bricks with all subsequent work being in machine-made bricks. In Phase 2 wings running on either side of the central gateway were developed (by at least 1847), along with a rear courtyard. In Phase 3 (1847-51) only minor changes were made and early in Phase 4 (1851-87) the gasometers were out of use. Early in Phase 5 (1887-1976) the central gateway had been blocked by a single-storied structure and the two gasometer buildings were thus linked by a continuous structure. The gasworks themselves closed in 1953. Little further major development took place until the central singe-storied structure was raised to two stories in the 1970s (Phase 6) and the whole of the frontage re-fenestrated to give a unified appearance. During the later 20th century the interior was partitioned off into rooms and corridors by stud walling.
6 Evaluation carried out ahead of redevelopment. This located the possible remains of the 1822 retort house, and various structures related to the late 19th/early 20th century retort house, gasometers and associated buildings. All of the structures revealed were located just beneath the present tarmac yard surface and were in a state of good preservation.
7 Further archaeological fieldwork carried out at the gasworks. A section of arched brick chambers, intepreted as a possible earlier retort house, were recorded.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 8, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Pugh R B (ed)
Date: 1969
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 8
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Building Survey
Title: Archaeological Building Recording at the Former Gasworks, Saltisford, Warwick
Author/originator: Jones C
Date: 2004
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Report No 0425
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: Ansell Road Gasworks, Warwick: Archaeoloigcal Excavation and Watching Brief
Author/originator: Dr N Phillips
Date: 2005
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Evaluation Report
Title: Ansell Road Gasworks, Warwick: Archaeological DBA and Field Evaluation
Author/originator: P Evans
Date: 2003
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Internet Data
Title: Warwick Gas Works
Author/originator:
Date: 2003
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: JTG
Date: 1982
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 2227
   
Images:  
Nineteenth Century Gasworks, Saltisford, Warwick
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
source SMR Card Sites and Monuments Record Card. The Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record began to be developed during the 1970s. The details of individual archaeological sites and findspots were written on record cards. These record cards were used until the 1990s, when their details were entered on to a computerised system. The record cards are still kept at the office of the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
technique excavation Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.

Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
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period Imperial 1751 AD to 1914 AD (end of the 18th century AD to the beginning of the 20th century AD)

This period comes after the Post Medieval period and before the modern period and starts with beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. It includes the second part of the Hannoverian period (1714 – 1836) and the Victorian period (1837 – 1901). The Imperial period ends with the start of the First World War in 1914.
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monument YARD * A paved area, generally found at the back of a house. back
monument FIELDWORK * A usually temporary earthwork or fortification, the latter constructed by military forces operating in the field. Use more specific type where known. back
monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument TOWER * A tall building, either round, square or polygonal in plan, used for a variety of purposes, including defence, as a landmark, for the hanging of bells, industrial functions, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument COURTYARD * An uncovered area, surrounded or partially surrounded by buildings. back
monument FIELD * An area of land, often enclosed, used for cultivation or the grazing of livestock. back
monument TRAMWAY * A track inlaid into a surface, on which tram cars run for the conveyance of passengers and/or goods or raw materials. back
monument GATEWAY * A substantial structure supporting or surrounding a gate. May be ornate or monumental, and have associated structures such as lodges, tollbooths, guard houses etc. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument RETORT HOUSE * Central functional building of a gas works. Coal is roasted in retorts producing gas and coke. back
monument OFFICE * A building or room where business, administrative or professional activities are conducted. Use specific type where known. back
monument GAS WORKS * An industrial complex concerned with the manufacture of gas for domestic use from coal and oil. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record