SWITHLAND LANE

There are many architecturally interesting properties on the Swithland Lane apart from those with Listed status.
There is a Group Listing of four cottages, formerly a barn and farm buildings. Built around 1800 and converted in the early 20th century possibly by the Architect G.E.Clare.
They are built of red brick with small part granite rubble stone and rendered brick. They have Swithland slate roofs with a brick ridge end and side stacks, mostly ornamental with a dentilled band. Conversion was in the English vernacular style. L-plan, main range extending to the rear, gable facing and wing projecting left. The main range faces right; two storeys of eight 1-3-light casements with glazing bars. On the ground floor, from left: wooden porch with hipped roof, 2 side benches and part-glazed door within; 2-light and 3-light casement; similar but long porch with rectangular bay projection within (1-light, two 3-light and 1-light) and similar doors and benches at either end; and finally a 3-light mullion and transom window. Cambered lintels all over. 1 1/2 storey lean-to on the right end. Facing gable has similar 4-light canted bay with 4-light casement over. Wing to the left of one storey with gable projecting on the 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 the 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 The Homestead when it was Rothley Plain Farm. It was on the Rothley Temple Estate which, at the beginning of the 20th century, was developed as the Rothley Garden Suburb. The resident architect was George E. Clare M.S.A., who probably designed the conversion.
These buildings, together with the outbuilding and The Homestead, form an interesting group both architecturally and historically. 'Rothley Garden Suburb', a brief description, Rothley 1909.

There is also an outbuilding with the above cottages built around 1800. It is of granite rubble stone with red brick dressings and Swithland Slate roof. It has brick dentilled eaves. It is a single storey building with various doors, windows and loopholes.

The largest Listed Building on Swithland Lane is an 18th century house with modifications carried out in 1920, possibly by the architect G.E.Clare. It is built of red brick with a Swithland slate roof and brick end and rear stacks. It has a brick dentilled eaves cornice. Two ranges, main range to the left.
It has three storeys of leaded light casements: 3-light; 2-light; 3-light with cambered lintels. Three 2-lights on the second floor, the central taller and projecting above eaves level. On the ground floor, a one storey flat-roofed projection of 1920, with patterned lead band to edge of roof. On the front to the left, a 5-light bow, central recessed porch with overlight and 4-light to the right. Range to right probably raised 1/2 storey in 1920. Two storeys of two 3-light leaded casements with top lights. Below are door, probably 18th century, and overlight with rounded arch, and 3-light and 1-light to the right. Casements and French windows on the left end.
Inside are brick vaulted cellars, chamfered ceiling beams, a 4.5m wide inglenook in former kitchen, though hood gone, staircase probably 18th century in part, oak panelling of 1920 and, in the entrance hall, a plasterwork frieze 2 to 3 metres high of 1920 depicting figures in Roman dress and farm animals.
This house was formerly Rothley Plain Farm and was part of the Rothley Temple Estate which, at the beginning of the 20th century, was developed as the Rothley Garden Suburb. The resident Architect was George E.Clare, M.S.A., who probably altered the house and most of the adjoining outbuildings which are now cottages.