Queen Mary Restaurant (Dudley (Town of))

 restaurant, 1937_construction, Grade II Listed (UK)

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The Castle Restaurant, a zoo restaurant designed by Lubetkin and Tecton and built in 1935-7.

The Castle Restaurant, as one of the buildings whose design would need to be sensitive to the castle due to its proximity and place within an important view from the monument, was of necessity a single-storey structure, with a deliberately low profile to disturb the view as little as possible. Its shape was determined by the symmetrical triangular apex of the limestone outcrop on which it is set, which gives dramatic views over the steep, wooded slopes of Castle Hill to the north. The main elevation looks out onto the sea lion pools, with the curtain wall of the castle rising beyond it, and the small element of walling to the main elevation is constructed from rubble stone, to reflect its sensitive location, facing the access to the castle via the postern gate. The restaurant was the main space for formal eating in the zoo, with two cafés providing snacks; the seating area to the rear of the bar was also used in the 1960s and 1970s as a venue for evening entertainment, including dancing and live acts. There have been accretive changes associated with changing needs, and some upgrading and alteration of the internal fittings to reflect modern usage, as it remains in use as a restaurant. It is now, and has popularly been, known as the Queen Mary Restaurant, reflecting its resemblance to inter-war ocean liners.

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