Sidmouth Lodge And Adjoining Boundary Walls

Sidmouth Lodge and its adjoining boundary walls date to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, undergoing a thorough refurbishment in 1986. The lodge is constructed of stucco over brick, with a slate roof. It comprises two blocks separated by a covered carriageway featuring large arches at both the front and rear. Each block mirrors the other in design. Flanking the carriageway are single-room lodges, each two storeys high with end stacks. Attached to each end are smaller, single-storey rooms set back on both the front and rear. The symmetrical front facade presents a two-window arrangement on either side of the central arch. The main rooms project forward from the arch and the flanking wings. Features include a plain plinth and a plat band at first-floor level, with channelled rustication between the bands. Each floor features a single window with a two-light casement having a timber lattice pattern, set within a stucco eared architrave resting on small, bulbous consoles. A projecting eaves cornice sits above a dentil frieze, surmounted by a low-pitch pediment also adorned with a dentil frieze. The low rooms on either side have a similar stucco finish, lacking the dentil frieze. The central section of these wings projects slightly, topped with a pediment and containing a single-light window with a plain rectangular architrave. The roof is gable-ended. The central archway is a striking tall round-headed design, supported by half-engaged, square-section columns with fielded panel sides and capitals decorated with foliage and scrolls. The arch is framed by an architrave, with another horizontal moulding above. Stucco wreaths are present in the spandrels, and the eaves cornice and dentil frieze extends over the top, aligning with the flanking blocks. Above the arch is a large limestone carving of the Rolle arms, set within a panelled pedestal. The rear elevation is identical to the front. Inside the archway, each side of the flanking blocks contains a central doorway with a single-panel door and a stucco pediment hood resting on ornate scroll consoles. The interiors were completely rebuilt in 1986, including the roof structures. Low boundary walls sweep forward in gentle curves from each end, terminating in piers. These walls are constructed of brick with stucco channelled rustication and limestone weathered coping. The piers are also stucco on brick, square in section, and feature a moulded base on a plinth and pedimented caps. Sidmouth Lodge originally served as the main entrance to Bicton Park.