Rock Hill House

Rock Hill House is an early 19th-century house in Chulmleigh, later divided into two separate living spaces and formerly used as an academy school. The building has been extended several times: initially in the early 20th century to the rear and left end, and again in 1980 with a two-storey rear addition. The original section is built of rendered stone rubble, while the later extensions are constructed of unrendered brick. The roof is covered with asbestos slate and features gable end stacks, with the stack on the right-hand end having a toothed course around the capping.

The building's layout includes a large room to the right of the entrance hall, with two smaller rooms to the left, the middle of which is unheated. A staircase is located at the rear of the right-hand room, modified in the early 20th century alongside the addition of a two-storey brick wing behind the right-hand side. A second two-storey brick extension, and a connecting conservatory/corridor to the main range’s rear were also added during this period. In 1980, the rear wing was further extended with a two-storey range. The dividing wall of the entrance passage now serves as the boundary between the two occupations.

The front façade presents a four-window range, though not perfectly symmetrical. It features early 20th-century four-paned sash windows. A shallow, Doric porch with an entablature shelters the front door, which has panelled reveals and is composed of a two-panelled base and a glazed upper section with margin glazing bars. Rusticated quoins are visible. The original design included a low parapet, which concealed the front roof slope.

Inside, the right-hand room has two narrow, chamfered cross ceiling beams with run-out stops, and a central plaster ceiling rose. The fireplace has been rebuilt in the 20th century. Segmental arched cupboards, each with reeded pilastered surrounds and niches, are located on each side of a rear-wall alcove. The staircase was narrowed during the early 20th-century renovations. Original joinery remains in the rear wing. The conservatory contains early 20th-century stained glass depicting naturalistic scenes. The original roof structure incorporates four trusses with pegged lapped collars. Previously, a courtyard at the rear contained buildings related to the academy school, including a small chapel, all of which are now gone. North Walk House is said to have provided dormitory accommodation for the school.