During the Victorian era (1837 to 1901), several architects, including Watson Fothergill, made their mark on England’s quickly changing landscape.
From 1870 to 1912, Fothergill (1841 to 1928) worked tirelessly on plans for over 100 buildings across Nottinghamshire, bringing his grand designs for houses, warehouses, churches, and beyond to fruition.
If you’ve ever visited Nottingham and been taken by a striking Gothic Revival or Old English vernacular style building, the chances are that Fothergill had a hand in it.
But who was Fothergill, and how did he become such a leading local architect in the East Midlands?
Who was Watson Fothergill?
Watson Fothergill was born Fothergill Watson on 12 July 1841 in Mansfield. His unusual first name was his mother’s maiden name, but Fothergill later switched his names around so that the Fothergill name would continue down his lineage.
Fothergill’s father, a prominent lace merchant, died when he was young, causing his mother to pull him out of the costly London boarding school he attended in favour of a less expensive one in Nottingham.
By the age of 15, Fothergill was already paving the way for his future as he became a trainee at the office of the architect Frederick Jackson, who was his late father’s friend.
These early years were formative for Fothergill, who continued to work with Jackson for 4 years before moving on to work with another Nottingham-based architect, I. C. Gilbert. He then spent 2 years working in London under Arthur Blomfield.
When did Watson Fothergill become a prominent architect in Nottingham?
Though his years working with established architects served him well, Fothergill went out on his own in 1864 when he set up his Nottingham office.
3 years later, he married Anne Hage, the daughter of a Mansfield brewer, and they had 7 children together.
Fothergill didn’t gain the recognition he deserved until he entered a competition to design Nottingham’s Albert Hall, a new conference and concert venue.
His plans wowed judges thanks to its 2,500-seat capacity (quite a number at the time) and consideration for the acoustics. Built by Richard Stevenson and Field Weston, the impressive French-Gothic building opened in 1876.
Sadly, the hall burned down in 1906 before being rebuilt by architect Albert Edward Lambert and officially reopened in 1910.
The late 1870s proved lucrative for Fothergill. Building on his designs for the Albert Hall, he went on to design multiple important buildings for the city during this period.
What are the characteristics of Victorian architecture?
Many buildings we know and love today were shaped by the characteristics of Victorian architecture.
Throughout this period, architects like George Gilbert Scott were well-known for introducing elaborate Gothic Revival style elements, such as ornate detailing, grand arches, and spires.
Fothergill’s work established him as a key architect of some of the most beautiful surviving Victorian buildings in and around Nottingham. His style became recognised for using contrasting horizontal bands of red and blue brick, elaborate stone carvings, decorative chimneys, and detailed timber eaves.
However, not all of Fothergill’s work survived, including the home he designed and built for his family in the 1870s on Mapperley Road in Nottingham, which was demolished in the 1960s.
Which buildings did Watson Fothergill design?
Queen’s Chambers, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Situated on the corner of Long Row and King Street in Nottingham, the Queen’s Chambers is arguably one of Fothergill’s most recognisable projects.
The red-brick building has impactful detailing, such as stone depictions of Queen Victoria. Built in 1897, it was designed for Edward Skipwith (a wine and spirit merchant) and named after Queen Victoria to commemorate her 60th jubilee.
The Gothic Revival style building originally served as shops, offices, and workrooms.
The School of Violin Making, Newark, Nottinghamshire
In 1887, Fothergill designed 43 Kirkgate for the bank manager on behalf of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Bank, with whom Fothergill had a long working relationship.
This imposing building was designed in the Italian Gothic Revival style, including terracotta, stone dressings, and an impressive tower.
The tower’s height was reduced in 1957, and in 1972, the property became the new headquarters of the Newark School of Violin Making.
14 to 30 King Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Built in 1895, this formidable building on King Street in Nottingham was originally a drapery.
Designed in the Domestic Revival style, Fothergill used elements such as oriel windows, corbelled brick stacks, and a square turret to elevate this architectural marvel.
Today, the building sits alongside modern office buildings and houses shops on the ground floor and offices on the upper floors.
15 to 17 George Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
15 to 17 George Street is especially important to Fothergill’s legacy. After leaving an office situated on Clinton Street in Nottingham, Fothergill moved operations to George Street in 1895.
Fothergill redesigned 15 to 17 George Street in the Gothic Revival style, implementing his signature features, such as colourful polychrome brickwork.
He also paid homage to those who inspired him by including busts of architects Augustus Welby Pugin and George Edmund Street on the exterior.
Express Chambers, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
This grand building, known as the Express Chambers, sits proudly on Upper Parliament Street in Nottingham.
Fothergill designed the main building in 1876 to house the ‘Nottingham Daily Express’ and Midland Counties Courier offices. It was heavily influenced by the style of English architect and designer William Burgess, whom Fothergill idolised.
Above one of the doorways are 3 carvings of the heads of Prime Minister William Gladstone and liberal statesmen Richard Cobden and John Bright.
The building was extended in 1899 and remains a much-loved example of Fothergill’s work in the area.
Halifax Building Society, Long Eaton, Derbyshire
This Grade II listed building in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, is now used by Halifax Building Society, although Fothergill originally designed it for Samuel Smith’s Bank in 1889.
It’s not one of Fothergill’s most prominent works, but the grand façade of the property still leaves a lasting impression thanks to its elaborate brick side wall stacks and semi-circular headed stone arches.
The Pakistan Centre (formerly Woodborough Road Baptist Church), Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Fothergill was commissioned to design a new church for Stoney Street Baptist Church’s increasing congregation, which was completed in 1894.
Upon its opening, the ‘Nottingham Evening Post’ reported: “It is a commanding structure and an undoubted ornament to the town”.
Its large bell tower and red brick exterior make it a well-noted Nottingham landmark. It now operates as the Pakistan Centre, serving the local community.
It was listed at Grade II in 1978.
Carlton Laundry, Gedling, Nottinghamshire
Built in 1899, this red brick Grade II listed building originally served as a laundry and dye works.
Interestingly, it is one of just a few industrial buildings Fothergill designed.
As such, it is noticeably different in style to many of his best-known works. The property, now named Sandpiper House, was turned into flats in 1997.
Castle Court, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
In 1894, Fothergill was commissioned to build Castle Court by paper merchants Simons and Pickard.
The warehouse includes 2 storeys, a basement and an attic, with design elements such as segment-arched cart entrances on the corner towers.
The building was restored in 1983 when it was turned into offices and workshops. The courtyard, once open-air, was turned into a glass atrium.
Castle Court was listed at Grade II in 1995.
Discover your historic local heritage
Hidden local histories are all around us. Find a place near you on the Local Heritage Hub.
Further reading
- A Guide to Traditional English Buildings
- What Is the Oldest Building in England?
- English High Street Architecture Through the Ages
Thank you for sharing information about Watson Fothergill and his buildings. We have a fabulous one of his in the little, ‘market and university town’ of Loughborough. Originally opened for the Notts and Nottingham Banking Company, but now a NatWest. Although I’ve not written about it much, there is a photo of the building on my Loughborough blog, and it is one of the buildings featured in ‘Loughborough in 50 Buildings’. Loughborough’s bank regularly makes an appearance in my guided walks, and my friend in Nottingham regularly does guided walks dedicated to the architect and his buildings.
Thank you again,
lynneaboutloughborough
Very interesting, thank you very much for this and raising awareness to look above eye height when walking around.