The college consists of a number of buildings surrounded by extensive grounds. The main part is a three storey stone structure dominated by a massive stone tower. Numerous alterations and additions adjoining this nucleus have not always been consistent in either the 'style' or the materials of the original building (e.g. dormers in front elevation roof). However the sheer bulk of the original building provides a certain measure of consistency to the overall character typical of 19th century academic architecture. The Chapel has maintained its original integrity more or less intact although the scale of the large pitched slate roof to low stone walls contrasts with the opposite expression of the main school. To the rear of the main building, and in the annexe to the west, a different character altogether prevails with no underlying architectural acknowledgement of the unity of the complex. No comprehensive analysis of individual features has been made either internally or externally. The building complex and grounds have historic significance. The founding of the school extended the tradition of the Castletown Grammar School as the historic seat of learning on the island. Governor Smelt laid the foundation stone in 1830 and the college was opened by Bishop Ward in 1833. The fire of 1844 destroyed the priceless collection of Manx books and documents acquired from the Grammar School and kept in the college library. The complex including the grounds should be listed as a unit.
This appraisal was undertaken prior to the existence of Registered Building or Conservation Area legislation on the Isle of Man in order to assess whether the complex was worthy of protection. In the event, King William's College was placed on the Protected Buildings Register in 2001 (No. 185): the protected area only includes the main building, the chapel, and the cricket pavilion. the war memorial outside the chapel was subsequently protected (No. 314).
A flax mill was recorded here by P.M.C. Kermode. The remains of header pond were visible in 1978 and the possible site of the mill seen after clearance of Lough Cranstal drain in 1984.
The site of an Iron Age Roundhouse or defended enclosure which has been partially excavated by Peter Gelling. It was concluded that this was a metal-working establishment of 7th-8th century AD, with a second phase of activity dating to the 9th century.
The site of an Iron Age Roundhouse or defended enclosure. It survives as a grass covered earthwork, set in a marshy area. Its siting and general construction is comparable to the earth built Roundhouses of about 200 AD. It consists of an oval raised area which measures 25.0 metres east to west and slightly larger north to south. It is raised approximately 0.7 metres above the surrounding ground surface. It has an outer ditch with an outer bank visible to its north side but this is not apparent in the remaining quarters of the monument. No entrance has been identified.
An area of lazy bed cultivation visited by the RCHME in 1985.
Record History: Site visit RCHME/NAR OS Field Worker DS (99) 07/07/1985 - Desktop update Robinson, Harry A., Dr (99) 30/04/1987 - Desktop update & edit Robinson, Harry A., Dr (99) 21/09/1987
A ditchless, grass-covered, rather irregular mound which resembles a barrow. It is situated on the brow of a hill and has an average diameter of 18.0 metres with a height to the east of 2.0 metres. It is much mutilated on its top and at the sides and the lower slopes have been under the plough. On the top in the north west is a prostrate white quartz block, 0.7 x 0.4 x 0.3 metres. The position is similar to the Viking mound at Knock y Doonee. It may be a Bronze Age barrow or maybe more likely to be a Viking barrow.
Undated shaped stone.
The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867-8 shows this feature at the side of the road, together with the annotation 'Saddle Stone'.
The origin of the stone, which is built into the wall at the roadside, is unknown.
It has the appearance of a saddle, hence its name, and local tradition held that people who sit on the stone and wish have that wish granted. There was also a tradition of riding it on May-Day.
Its edges are smooth and well worn, possibly caused by people sitting on it. As a result, tooling marks are not readily apparent.
The Kirk Andreas Pinfold is found on the highroad between Ramsey and Andreas village. It is irregular in shape and measures approximately 35.5 metres from the entrance to the most distant corner, with a maximum width of 17.5 metres. It is sod walled, the walls rising to over 2.25 metres in height, with an inner facing of undressed stones. The entrance has no lintel. There is an excellent example of old Manx hedging alongside. Each parish was responsible for the maintenance and repair of its own pinfold, but their origins are uncertain. A statute of 1422 confirms customary laws were already long established by the 15th century.
The present parish church, built in 1802, stands to the south of the former church, which was taken down under the provisions of an Act of Tynwald passed 1800. Mr A.W. Moore supposes that the dedication to St Andrew is likely to date from the period of Scottish rule (1275-1334) but the Scandanavian and Celtic cross -slabs found here almost certainly suggests an early Celtic church, with which there would have been a burial ground.
Medieval and Modern pinfold.
Kirk Arbory pinfold stands close to the junction of the Douglas and Castletown roads, south of the Friary and the modern settlement of Ballabeg; routes from the village are effective in connecting the locality with the rest of the parish.
The pinfold is subrectangular, with boundaries constructed mostly from sod hedging, although rubble and drystone walling makes up the east side. The longest side is 45m, the shortest 25m, and area of the enclosure is 0.13ha or 0.32 acres.
The entrance was on the south side, close to the Douglas Road. An archive photogrpah in the Manx National Heritage collections shows a wide entrance with a lintel above head height. The approach is now blocked by a modern structure.
Each parish was responsible for the maintenance and repair of its own pinfold. Their origins are uncertain although an early statute of 1422 confirms that the customary laws relating to their maintenance and use were already well established.
Pinfold. This walled subrectangular enclosure lies adjacent to the highroad between Union Mills and the Strang, but the road network provides communication throughout the parish of Braddan. It has maximum dimensions of 18 by 17m, and is defined by high walls which show many signs of repair. A natural supply of water is derived from the adjacent field, and now feeds a water trough.
The origins of the pinfold are unknown, though historically each parish was legally responsible for the upkeep of its own pound, and for the policing of stray animals. An early statute of 1422 records the practice and confirms that it was already a customary law by that time.
This small rectangular cottage is constructed of stone cement rendered with a thatched roof (rushes from the Ayres). Set at right angles to the road the structure is somewhat renovated. But it has the original rectangular windows on either side of the single front door. There is a minor extension to the east with a slate roof and another door. No interior inspection has been performed. The cottage appears in good repair. This cottage is situated within a hundred metres of another of similar type. Having two such examples of the few remaining buildings of this early rural workers dwelling close together and adjacent to a public road lends weight to their importance.
This pair of thatched cottages has been formed into one dwelling parallel to the road. The whitewashed stone walls are buttressed on the road facade (possibly to prevent deterioration through traffic vibration). In spite of this, the authentic atmosphere is still maintained in the character of the structure and the Ayre rush thatch. Two chimneys (separate) project through the center and north gable ridge respectively and the window and door rectangular openings have been retained in their original locations although the fitments are new. No interior inspection has been performed. The state of repair seems to be very good. This cottage is within a hundred metres of another of similar type.
The site of a ring-shaped cropmark of unknown significance seen on aerial photographs in the southwest corner of a field to the southwest of Bride village. It lies in the field numbered Plot 612 on the 1870 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map. The site is now built over.
The Kirk Bride pinfold stands on the west side of the high road near East Kimmeragh. It measures approximately 12.5 metres long by 11 metres wide. Its walls are of stone with some parts bound by mortar. The entrance is in the east wall, with slate lintel above.
Each parish was responsible for the maintenance and repair of its own pinfold, but their origins are uncertain although a statute of 1422 confirms customary laws already long established by that time.
