The Library House

The Library House is a house located on Bridge Street in Kings Cliffe, dating from the early to mid-17th century and later in the same century. It was converted into a schoolhouse in 1749 for Elizabeth Hutcheson's School and adapted into a house and library in 1752 for William Law. The building is constructed of squared coursed limestone and features a Collyweston slate roof. Originally designed with a two-unit plan, it has two storeys and an attic, with a three-window range. The flanking windows on the ground floor are three-light ovolo-moulded stone mullion windows with hood moulds, while the first floor has a smaller two-light window in the center and single-light windows on the far right. All windows are fitted with leaded lights.

The central entrance features a six-panel, part-glazed door with a moulded stone surround. Above the door is an inscription that reads, "Books of Piety are lent to any person of this or ye Neighbouring Towns," along with a sundial with a pediment. Although the interior was not inspected, it is noted that the room to the left of the entrance has bolection-moulded panelling with a wooden cornice, which was adapted in 1752 to include bookcases for the library. The room to the right of the entrance has bolection-moulded cupboard doors. The staircase features wave-moulded splat balusters, and the roof structure includes cambered collars and clasped purlins. The building was originally a single storey with a cross-wing and was raised in the late 17th century.