History in Structure

The Library

A Grade II* Listed Building in St. Giles in the Wood, Devon

We don't have any photos of this building yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?

Upload Photo »

Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

Coordinates

Latitude: 50.9546 / 50°57'16"N

Longitude: -4.0988 / 4°5'55"W

OS Eastings: 252684

OS Northings: 119337

OS Grid: SS526193

Mapcode National: GBR KP.N1H5

Mapcode Global: FRA 269L.90F

Plus Code: 9C2QXW32+RF

Entry Name: The Library

Listing Date: 4 October 1960

Last Amended: 16 February 1989

Grade: II*

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1104996

English Heritage Legacy ID: 91867

ID on this website: 101104996

Location: St Giles in the Wood, Torridge, Devon, EX38

County: Devon

District: Torridge

Civil Parish: St. Giles in the Wood

Traditional County: Devon

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Devon

Church of England Parish: St Giles in the Wood St Giles

Church of England Diocese: Exeter

Tagged with: Library building

Find accommodation in
Great Torrington

Description


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

External Links

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

Other nearby listed buildings

BritishListedBuildings.co.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact BritishListedBuildings.co.uk for any queries related to any individual listed building, planning permission related to listed buildings or the listing process itself.

British Listed Buildings is a Good Stuff website.