34, High Street

Number 34, High Street, Ilfracombe

Shops and bar with living accommodation above, originally the Royal Clarence Hotel. Built probably in 1881 by W M Robbins of Ilfracombe, though alterations and additions to the hotel for Richard Lake had been approved by the Local Board of Health on 3 January 1881. The building was described as 'recently rebuilt' in 1886.

The structure comprises four storeys rendered in solid walls with a slated roof featuring crested ridge tiles. A red brick chimney with pilaster strips is positioned on the right-hand side wall. The façade is five windows wide and displays an eclectic style combining classical articulation with rustication and Romanesque and Gothic details.

The ground storey is rusticated with round-arched openings; the door and window details have been altered in the 20th century. The second and third storeys are distinguished by segmental-headed windows at each end alternating with canted wooden bay windows. The bay windows are relatively plain in treatment, while the segmental-headed windows are ornate. Those in the second storey have prominent bracketed balconies with scrolled and finialed cast-iron railings carrying the inscription ROYAL CLARENCE HOTEL. The openings behind have moulded arches and hood moulds and contain the original glazed doors in glazed surrounds.

The third storey windows each contain two segmental-headed lights with a centre column, covered by a single segmental hood mould. They feature bracketed sills with elaborate iron guard rails. The fourth storey contains small round windows in the middle and outer bays, each with bracketed sill and hood mould. The outer two round windows have patterned glazing, while the middle window is blind and carries the monogram RL, probably the initials of proprietor Richard Lake.

The intervening windows in the fourth storey are tall with blind, pointed heads decorated with a fan-pattern. These are surmounted by small gables which rise into the parapet above. The parapet is corbelled and contains round-arched panels with heavily moulded base and coping. At either end and flanking the two tall fourth storey windows are tall panelled pedestals with pyramidal tops having ball finials. All windows except the round ones have plain sashes.

The long roughcast side wall facing Regent Place has five second storey windows with transom lights containing patterned glazing and coloured glass.

The hotel was one of three principal Ilfracombe inns noted in Banfield's Guide to Ilfracombe of 1830, and appears to have been the only one of importance on the main street. The name likely relates to the visit of the Duchess of Clarence, wife of the future William IV, in 1827, though she apparently did not stay at the hotel. Richard Lake, whose initials appear on the façade, was replaced as proprietor by Charles E Clemow in 1883.

The interior was not inspected.