A La Ronde: Devon’s 16-Sided Cottage
A la Ronde in Exmouth, a 16-sided ornamental cottage, features more than 26,000 shells.
Dating from the 18th century, the listed structure is run by the National Trust and was built for two spinster cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter.
The Parminter family, whose roots in North Devon stretch back to the early 1600s, amassed significant wealth through their work as merchants.
Jane Parminter, born in 1750 in Lisbon, was the daughter of John Parminter, a prominent wine merchant with business ties in the Portuguese capital.
After her father’s death in 1784, Jane took on the care of her orphaned cousin Mary and decided to embark on a Grand Tour.
Accompanying them were Jane's ailing sister Elizabeth and a close friend from London.
The bond between Jane and Mary grew strong, and in 1795, they chose to settle together in Devon.
They purchased 15 acres of land near Exmouth and built a home where they led reclusive, somewhat unconventional lives until Jane’s passing in 1811.
Mary's will contained an unusual stipulation: the property could only be inherited by unmarried female relatives.
This condition remained in effect until 1886, when the house was passed to Reverend Oswald Reichel, the brother of a previous occupant.
The design of A la Ronde is said to have been inspired by the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, which Jane Parminter and her cousin Mary visited during their Grand Tour.
While tradition claims that Jane herself designed the house, it’s possible that her ideas were brought to life by an architect referred to as "Mr. Lowder" in 19th century writings.
Anne Glass, the sister-in-law of Jane's cousin John, married Commander John Lowder, a banker and property developer.
His son, also named John Lowder (1781–1829), was a gentleman architect in Bath.
Though just 17 when A la Ronde was built, the younger Lowder may have been responsible for the design, incorporating Jane's vision.
In 1816, he went on to design the unusual Bath and District National School—a 32-sided building with wedge-shaped classrooms.
A la Ronde could have been an early prototype for this later, more ambitious project.
In May 2024, earlier this year, A la Ronde was highlighted in the BBC series Hidden Treasures of the National Trust, which showcased the meticulous restoration of the Shell Gallery.
Following the completion of the conservation work, Jonathan Harwood, who had lived in the house with his mother Ursula Tudor Perkins, paid a visit.
Ursula sold the property to the National Trust in the early 1990s, after residing there for 18 years.
If you’d like to visit this building, we recommend checking the National Trust website prior to your visit, as opening times are subject to change.
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