The Cage

The Cage is a building located on Fore Street in Plympton St Maurice, reputed to have been the town lock-up and now serving as a house. It dates from the 17th or 18th century. The upper floor projects on a colonnade and is rendered on what is likely studwork, while the ground-floor wall, set back from the pavement, is rendered on probable rubble. The building features a dry slate roof with a central dormer that has a lead roof and slate-hung cheeks, along with a 12-pane, 2-light casement window. There is a tall brick stack on the right side. The building has a deep plan that includes a rear wing and stands two storeys plus an attic high, with a one-window range.

The front has a very wide 20th-century tripartite window, which includes a central 18-pane hornless sash and 8-pane casements as sidelights, all above a crudely wrought hardwood bressumer supported by a colonnade with three round granite columns that have entasis. The ground-floor front, which is set back, features a 20th-century fixed light with glazing bars on the left and a doorway on the right with a 20th-century ledged door. The interior has not been inspected but may contain features that could provide more precise dating. The covered pavement adds to the interest of this building.