57 to 63 Swithland Lane, Rothley (Grade II)

Group of four cottages, formerly barn and farm buildings. C1800, converted early C20. Conversion possibly by G E Clare. Red brick with small part granite rubble stone and rendered brick. Swithland slate roof with brick ridge end and side stacks, mostly ornamental with dentilled band. Conversion in the English vernacular style. L plan, main range extending to rear, gable facing, and wing projecting left. Main range faces right : two storeys of 8 1-3 light casements with glazing bars. On ground floor, from left, wooden porch with hipped roof, 2 side benches and part glazed door (no. 61) within; 2 light and 3 light casement; similar but long porch with rectangular bay projection within (1 light two 3 lights and 1 light) and similar doors (Nos. 57 and 59) and benches at either end; and finally a 3 light mullion and transom window. Cambered lintels overall. 1� storey lean-to on right end. Facing gable has similar 4 light canted bay with 4 light casement over. Wing to left of one storey with gable projecting on left. Here a 5 light casement with top lights under a rounded arch. 2 light on right inner return and 6 light square bay between the two gables. Door to rear. On rear of main range can be seen a large blocked arch with cambered lintel, probably a doorway to the original barn. These buildings formerly formed part of No. 65 (The Homestead, q.v.) when Rothley Plain Farm. It was on the Rothley Temple estate which, at the beginning of C20, was developed as Rothley Garden Suburb. The resident architect was George E Clare, M.S.A. who probably designed the conversion. These buildings together with outbuilding (q.v.) and No. 65 form an interesting group both architecturally and historically. Rothley Garden Suburb, a brief description, Rothley 1909.