Rock Lodge

LYNTON AND LYNMOUTH

SS7149 LYDIATE LANE, Lynton 858-1/4/31 (North side) 03/09/73 Rock Lodge

GV II

Detached villa. c1840, extended c1870. Rendered, slurried slate roof. A symmetrical single-depth plan, with later billiard room attached in parallel, rear right, projecting beyond the original gable end. Composition in classical form with neo-Tudor details. 2 storeys; 2:1:2-window range, the central bay gabled and slightly brought forward. Windows are all 2-light small-pane casements, 16-pane to first floor and 20-pane below, but the central first floor is in a 4-centred arch and has interlaced bars in the head, and at ground floor is a pair of glazed doors under a glazed light in a 4-centred arch with stopped drip-course. The gable end to the left (S) has a casement in a segmental arch, and with cast-iron balustrade to a small balcony above a lean-to with decorative barge-board, and a full-width timber-framed glazed conservatory with an octagonal central section, with small-pane transom lights. Attached left is a later extension with entrance door. The right gable has a 2-light casement with bars and interlace. The central gable has a decorative fretted barge-board, and there are ridge stacks between the outer pairs of windows; a further large stack in the valley to the extension is slate-hung. The 2-storey extension is in rubble with gabled slate roof, with a cross-gabled porch adjoining the N gable of the principal range; this has a wide door with pointed and cusped heads and nail-head surround. To the right gable is a full-height hexagonal bay with transomed casements, and at the rear is a projecting square bay. At the entrance end is a 2-light casement at the upper level. INTERIOR: ground floor only inspected. The central stair hall flanked by 2 rooms each side, serviced by a rear corridor, from which the 2-storey billiard room is also reached. The stick stair has an open string, and divides at the quarter landing. To left is a door to arched head, set deep, on 2 steps. All rooms have window shutters in embrasures, and there are simple cornices. At the S end, the kitchen has a deep opening for a range. The billiard room is lofty, with a fine palmette cornice, and a square 'exedra' on the far side, but not centred to the wall. The original fireplace is in-situ, and the door has a roll-mould to the panels with pointed heads, in a moulded architrave. The building holds a commanding position, at the far W end of Lydiate Lane, looking back across the town, and retains much original detailing.

Listing NGR: SS7146049222