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Warwick Gasworks

Warwick Gasworks is one of the oldest surviving gasworks buildings in the world. It is notable for housing its gas holders in brick buildings, a practice that was discontinued when it was discovered such containment rapidly increased the risk of explosions. The gasworks is an important industrial landmark and is featured as the logo of the Warwickshire Industrial Archaeology Society.


Contents

Key info
Visiting guide
Architecture
Sources


Key info

LocationWarwick
CountyWarwickshire
Opened1822
Commissioned byWarwick Gas Company
Listed statusGrade II

Visiting guide

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Travel

Restricted street parking

Albert Street – 1 m
Birch Meadow Close – 140 m

Warwick – 930 m

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Details

Outside access only

Outside access open 24/7

6 Saltisford
Warwick CV34 4UX

What is the best way to enjoy Warwick Gasworks?

Start on Albert Street, you can’t miss the two original octagonal gas holders and the joining building. The gas holders were original separated with an entrance in the middle leading to the retort house in the main yard behind. In 1905, a single-story office block was erected between the gas holders, which was then extended to two stories in the 1970s, this is what you see today.

Notice the windows with their pointed arched glazing bars set in double arched panels. Can you spot the blue plaque?

There is a small building to the right of the gas holders, which was a later additional to the works. We are not sure what its purpose was; however, it was constructed between 1851-1877.

Head around the corner onto Albert Street, then take your first left onto Albert Court. This will lead you to the back of the gas holders, where you will see their brick face.

The scars in the brickwork display the outline of the original buildings attached to each gas holder when they were separated. The gap in the cornice at the centre indicates the later extension when the gas holders were joined by one building.

There is no trace of the original Saltisford basin terminus, which would have existed opposite the gas holders where Eyffler Close stands today. However, if you walk north up the Saltisford Road and turn left just before the overhead railway bridge, you will see the surviving bridge that marked the entrance to the original basin. Stand on the wall to your left and lean over for a view of the arch where the canal travelled through.

This explains the choice of site for the gasworks due to its proximity to where the Warwick & Birmingham Canal terminated, it was an easy way to access transported coal. A dedicated tramway was constructed later on behind the gasworks that linked up to the main railway line. This replaced the canal as the principal method of receiving coal.

How long does it take to see Warwick Gasworks?

It will take you around 20 minutes to see the gasworks, which includes the short walk up to the canal bridge over the original entrance to the Saltisford Basin. Please note the gasworks are now private residences so you will not be able to access any of the buildings.

Is Warwick Gasworks suitable for a picnic?

This is not a suitable location for a picnic because the gasworks is located on a busy A road near the centre of Warwick.

How do I get to Warwick Gasworks?

There is no public car parking. If you arrive by car, you will have to park on the surrounding residential streets, please take note of parking restrictions.

Warwick Gasworks are a 15-minute walk from Warwick Railway Station, there is a footpath that runs along the tracks from Cape Road.

There is a bus stop right outside the gasworks on the A425 Saltisford Road with services running in and out of Warwick town centre.

Architecture

Cefn-coed Viaduct is 770 ft (235 m) long and 120 ft (36.6 m) high. It is a rusticated-limestone structure of fifteen arches, set on a curve [8]. The tall, slender piers and parapets are constructed with coursed irregular sized rock-faced limestone blocks. The semi-circular arches are of brick [6] measuring 39.75 ft (12.1 m) long [9].

Sources

  1. Phillips, N. and Smith, C. E. (2005) Ansell Road Gasworks, Saltisford, Warwick Archaeological Excavation & Watching Brief. Available at: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/13416676/ansell-road-gasworks-saltisford-warwick-archaeology-data- (Accessed: 6 February 2022).
  2. Warwickshire County Council (2020) Information for record number MWA1936: Gas Works, Saltisford. Available at: https://timetrail.warwickshire.gov.uk/detail.aspx?monuid=WA1936 (Accessed: 6 February 2022).
  3. Historic England (2020) Midland Sales and Training Centre, Thomas Potterton Limited. Available at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1035365 (Accessed: 6 February 2022).

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