Plume Library, Including Tower Of Former Church Of St Peter

The Plume Library incorporates the west tower of the former Church of St Peter. The tower dates back to the late 14th century, with rebuilding in the upper part, while the library itself was constructed around 1699, with the addition of two bays to the east in 1821. It was restored in 1875 by Ewan Christian.

The tower is built of flint and septaria rubble with ashlar and red brick dressings. The library is red brick in Flemish bond, featuring some burnt headers, with stone dressings and a slate roof. The tower has angle buttresses, heavily restored with bands of tiling and brick. A blocked west door has a continuously-moulded double-chamfered reveal and label. A two-light west window features Perpendicular tracery and fragments of stained glass. A later insertion south door, along with single lights to the bell chamber, are also present. The crenellated top stage completes the tower. The tower arch is double-chamfered with attached-column responds and moulded capitals. The library exhibits quoins, a first-floor plat band, a plinth and a coved cornice. Windows have cross-casements with leaded lights under gauged arches. A 20th-century door is set into a former window opening on the south side.

Inside, the ground floor has 20th-century library fittings. The first floor features contemporary panelling with fluted pilasters at angles and on the end wall, along with a cornice. Peninsula bookcases are placed between the windows. A 1920s fireplace with a Jacobean overmantel is also present. The end room within the two added bays contains reused panelling of a similar date and a blocked fireplace.

The nave of St Peter's Church collapsed in 1665. The library, originally housing the grammar school on the ground floor, was gifted to the town by Dr Thomas Plume upon his death in 1704. It is one of the oldest public libraries in England, containing over 7,000 volumes, predominantly dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.