The Library

ST GILES STEVENSTONE PARK SS 52 19 IN THE WOOD 17/218 The Library 4.10.60 (formerly listed as Garden Pavilion at Stevenstone House)

II*

Former library belonging to Stevenstone House (q.v.) now ruined. Late C17-early C18, carefully renovated in 1980 by the Landmark Trust. It has been suggested that William Talman may have been involved here. Front is Flemish bond red brick with limestone ashlar detail; the rest is local stone rubble, white-washed west end, plastered north and east; stone rubble stack and brick chimneyshaft with moulded limestone coping; slate roof. Plan: Single cell rectangular plan building facing south-south-west, say south. It is terraced into the garden terraces. The library has a rear lateral stack. It is a tall room over a basement with an open arcade front. Exterior: The front is good. Symmetrical 3-window front of tall round-headed sash windows with glazing bars set in limestone eared architraves ; bolection-moulded with keystone and sill consoles carved as acanthus leaves. Basement is recessed behind a 3-bay arcade of brick round-headed arches with large limestone keystones carved as human-head masks each surmounted by an heraldic cartouche ,the most ornate, the Rolle arms, in the centre. Each end are limestone ashlar quoins and the bays are flanked by 4 giant pilaster orders; fluted pilasters on pedestals with Ionic capitals and ornate eaves cornice including frieze; moulded, pulvinated egg-and-dart and modillions carved as acanthus leaves. Roof is hipped each end with sprocketted eaves. The rear has a plainer 3-window front of similar sash windows without the architraves and a fanlight on the terrace top lights the basement. Accordingly to the previous list description a library-level balcony was gained by "a double curved flight of steps to first floor with wrought iron railings". This has been replaced with timber stairs and balcony fenced with a balustrade of C18 turned timber balusters. Interior: The Library has an original moulded plaster rib design and some original joinery detail. The C18 chimneypiece was moved here from the old mansion according to the previous list description but may be the original in situ. Although the Rolle mansion, Stevenstone House (q.v.), is now in ruins. The Library forms part of an attractive group of subsidary buildings, several of which are listed. Source: Devon SMR. The Landmark Handbook (1988) ed. Charlotte Haslam pp. 77-79.

Listing NGR: SS5268419337