The Folley, Swindon Road, Cheltenham (The Pavilion): Level 2 Historic Building Recording

A Level 2 building record is defined by Historic England as follows: 'This is a descriptive record, . Both the exterior and interior of the building will be seen, described and photographed. The examination of the building will produce an analysis of its development and use and the record will include the conclusions reached, but it will not discuss in detail the evidence on which this analysis is based. A plan and sometimes other drawings may be made but the drawn record will normally not be comprehensive and may be tailored to the scope of a wider project. Level 2 Photographic Record Digital photography was undertaken using a Panasonic DMC-FZ2000 20.5mpx digital camera set to record images in both RAW and .jpeg formats. This is in-line with items 1-9 of the Historic England (2016) guidance. The photographic record includes general views of the buildings external appearance and interior spaces. Specific architectural details that relate to date, alteration, or function have been subject to a more detailed photographic recording. Where surviving, external or internal detail (structural or decorative) relevant to the building design, development and use has been photographed, with scale where appropriate. Some files have been converted to .jpeg format for use in the report and will be maintained in the project archive. Appropriate levels of metadata will be maintained and included in the digital archive following the approach set out in the aforementioned guidance. Site Assessment A site visit was undertaken by Jamie Barnes IHBC, Senior Historic Buildings Consultant on Wednesday 24 September 2025. The weather conditions were clear and dry. A good assessment of the building and the immediate setting was possible. Measured Survey Figure 7 comprises a measured survey undertaken during the site assessment using hand measuring techniques and a Bosch laser distance measuring device. It is considered the annotated building floorplan is accurate to tolerances required by the guidance (Historic England 2016). Limitations of Assessment There was no access to the roofspace during the site assessment. Any reference to the roof structure is drawn from glimpse views of the roofspace only. It was also not possible to access floor voids or spaces and the plant room. Archiving The key element of the archive will comprise the written report and photographic record, which will be submitted digitally to the Gloucestershire Historic Environment Record (HER). The digital archive will also be submitted to the OASIS online archive in accordance with best practice and relevant guidance. During September 2025 Cotswold Archaeology were instructed by E. G. Carter and Co Ltd (on behalf of Aster Homes Ltd) to undertake an historic building recording of an interwar sports pavilion at The Folley in Cheltenham. The historic building recording is necessary to make a permanent and accessible record of the building prior to demolition and a new development within the site. The assessment comprises a Level 2 descriptive record of the structure. The building is not a designated heritage asset. The Folley was the recreation grounds of the Cheltenham Training College (St Pauls Training College after 1921). The pavilion building was in place by c. 1920 and initially served cricket pitches, until rugby and football pitches were also set out during the mid-20th century. The architectural character of the pavilion references a bungalow style adopted from India; with a veranda and raised viewing platform overlooking the field of play with home and away changing rooms and a long room for members and players enclosed within the building. The scale and general character of the structure is typical of pavilions erected across England by parishes and private institutions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The internal spaces and external form of the building has been subject to extensive cumulative change.