Library Cottage, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, Dorset

Library Cottage, situated next door to Sundial House, is also Grade II listed and part of an architectural grouping of Marine Parade buildings along with its tall and impressive neighbour. Arnold Mitchell was the architect for both buildings and also the wonderfully Hobbit-like Umbrella Cottage; that and Sundial House can be seen in the previous two articles.

The building began life as two cottages, which was converted into one house, and named Library Cottage because it was here that the town's Marine Circulating Library was established in 1839. Our nation's much loved novelist, Jane Austen, had died some 22 years before in 1817; otherwise, we might imagine her visiting the circulating library as part of her social life when she stayed in Lyme.

A symmetrical frontage of pink-washed walls with hexagonal slate-hung tiles, it consists of two storeys and two window bays encompassing both top and bottom floors. Now once again two separate, semi-detached homes; at least one of which is a holiday cottage. 

The striking rainwater heads are 18th century, and were added to each side of the front by the architect, which he'd taken from another building.

The central piping and other fixtures all appear to be part of the same arrangement and most likely came from the same place, along with the cast iron frieze dated 1768. It occurred to me that the central pipe, having two spouts, may have originated from a fountain with the frieze as part of the pond. I haven't discovered where they came from but it must have been an impressive place, and sadly now probably demolished, but I'll add further info if I come across it.

EDIT: I've recently read (in 2025) that drainpipes were a new fashion when first used and many were highly decorated, or at least had dates on, and proudly displayed at the front. I still haven't discovered about the water spout and pond/freize, so my theory might stand for now. ;)

Both so different from each other, and also from Umbrella Cottage, these buildings show some of the range of styles that Arnold Mitchell worked with. Yet, despite the differences, they also show how he accentuated the meaning behind them in his own unique way.

The first two photos were taken in 2009 and the rest were taken in 2016; the last one along with its neighbour, Sundial House. 

More buildings coming up shortly. :)   EDIT: Sorry about this but whilst starting the next article I realised that I'd missed out some historical cottages. I've been trying to get over to Lyme to take photos of them but this has been a really difficult year and I haven't managed it yet. So meanwhile, I'll carry on with some other posts and will add more of Marine Parade as and when I can. 

Sundial House, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, Dorset

This building together with Library Cottage were on the same article of my late website because I only had two photos of Library Cottage at the time. It seemed a shame to use separate pages for two quite short articles, plus they are situated next door to each other and form part of an architectural listing group. However, I've since taken more photos of Library Cottage, and also some of other interesting buildings on Marine Parade, so for the blog I'm going to create a new series with a post for each of them. 

New project, yay! ;)

Appropriately, the name of this charming Grade II listed house is called Sundial.  Built in 1903,  it was designed by the architect Arnold Mitchell, who also designed Library Cottage, as well as the delightfully Hobbit-like Umbrella Cottage, which can be seen in the previous blog post. The wonderful sundial that has given the house its name is large, headed by a delightfully fat grinning sun and edged with ebullient foliage curlicues...or twiddly bits, as I like to call them. ;) The motto beneath is HORAS NON NUMERO NISI SERENAS, which roughly translates as "I do not count the hours except the bright ones". Such a beautifully appropriate epithet.

Constructed in blue lias rubble and dressings in contrasting stone, the building comprises four storeys and two window bays above a square headed doorway with studded door which is reached by eight stone steps. Two-light mullioned windows are on the first and second floors, situated to the left of the four-light splayed bay windows, with two-light mullioned windows on the third floor. The eponimous sundial is situated on the window bay between the ground and first floors. A stone rubble wall with two entrance doors (a close-up of one, above) separates the forecourt from Marine Parade.

Two fabulous large ammonite fossils are set into the wall above two slits, and at least one other in the wall of the house itself, signifying the importance of the area for fossils and the contribution made to science by the palaeontologist, Mary Anning.

The first four photos were taken in 2009; these two were taken much earlier in 1996. Almost identical, the amonites and tops of the entrances can be seen in the first, whereas the second one shows the roof detail of the parapet with a moulded string at the base.

And the last photo, taken in 2016, with its next door neighbour, Library Cottage - article coming up next. 

  

Umbrella Cottage, Lyme Regis, Dorset

I came across this some years ago whilst walking down into Lyme from the bus stop just outside of the town. It's a private residence, and I was completely entranced by its 'hobbit-like' look. Some of the features, such as the door and front windows, look rather old and I thought it may have been a toll house at one time, which made some sense as the nearby Cobb Road was once a toll road. However, although some sources say that it is a toll house, there are other sources that cite it to be a deliberately built Cottage Orne - a romantic vision of picturesque rustic which was fashionable during the Regency era. Further research revealed its origins as a gardener's cottage, but alterations by the architect Arnold Mitchell turned it into this delightful and quixotic cottage.

Now a Grade II listed building, it was probably built in the early 19th century. A one storey building, it comprises a roughly octagonal front portion with the roof carried down to wooden posts, producing its umbrella look, a central oblong wing with another 'umbrella' portion at the rear. Roughcast clad, it sports a thatched roof throughout and the front portion contains wood casements and a carved door with a diamond shaped panel above.

I should imagine that the central part was the original - and much smaller - gardener's cottage (which would have been older than the 19th century dating) and that Arnold Mitchell had added the hobbit-like sections onto it.
 

I thought that the gate (below) belonged to the cottage, echoing the shape of the roofs, but later realised my mistake. It does in fact belong to the house called Higher Cobb, once called Little Cliff. I'm going to add the photos in though, as Higher Cobb was also designed by Arnold Mitchell, and I really like them. Please don't quote me on this, but it occurred to me that the gardener's cottage may well have been part of the Higher Cobb estate for their gardener. Just a thought.
 

And another view of the gate, with Umbrella Cottage next door.

Altogether a delightful happenchance on my way to somewhere else, which I hope you've enjoyed too. :)