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A La Ronde, Devon

A La Ronde is a late eighteenth century house created by two spinster cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter, on their return from a grand tour of Europe. They had independent means, Jane's father John Parminter making a fortune in quick dry cement following a major earthquake in Portugal. Mary had inherited a fortune at the age of 18 from her father Richard Parminter. At about the same time as work started on A La Ronde, Mary Wallstonecroft had published her landmark book Vindication of the Rights of Women (1793). These were revolutionary times, and A La Ronde is a beautiful demonstration of how women's position in society was beginning to change. In previous centuries unmarried women belonging to wealthy families were usually sent to nunneries. They did not build their own houses.

The house, modeled on a building in Ravenna, was built with sixteen sides. The idea was that Mary and Jane would be able to follow the best light around the house as they worked on their arts and crafts. The house is an exuberant display of the enthusiasm for nature which pervaded these times. While Wordsworth and Coleridge were writing their poems in praise of nature, Jane and Mary were creating a house which used objects from nature in its decoration. The precipitous wall of the central lobby is decorated with green wallpaper, carrying designs reminiscent of seaweed. Above the wallpapered area is a further area of dark green "swags", or curtains, which look like waves at sea. Above that is a remarkable upper gallery, decorated with thousands of seashells, an area now so fragile that it can only be viewed by video link. Light then streams into the entire space from a roof window. The effect is like being under the sea and looking towards the surface, or standing in a coastal cave, looking out at waves breaking on sea shell encrusted rocks. This central room was used to entertain guests. There are chairs around the walls, and ingenious fold out benches.

Mary and Jane lived in A La Ronde for fifty years. In her will Mary stated that the house could only be given to female members of the family, and with only one exception this is what happened, before the property was given to the National Trust in 1991.

View from the garden, looking towards Exmouth

Mary and Jane lived their independent lives, at a time when Mary Wallstonecroft was writing: "Independence I have long considered the grand blessing of life, the basis of every virtue." (Vindication of the Rights of Women - "Dedication"). Although A La Ronde is a beautiful statement and memorial to this revolutionary time, there's little indication that Mary and Jane were radicals. They enjoyed their arts and crafts and their entertaining. But in simply enjoying these things they broke with the past. Perhaps Mary Wallstonecroft ought to have the last word:

"It is time to effect a revolution in female manners - time to restore to them their lost dignity... It is time to separate unchangeable morals from local manners." (A Vindication of the Rights of Women)

The property has a shop and an attractive restaurant.

Opening Times: The house is open 27th February to 7th March weekends only 11am - 5pm.

From 13th March to 31st October, Saturday to Wednesday, 11am - 5pm.

From 2nd July to 3rd September there is additional opening on Fridays.

The grounds open at 10.30am.

Address: A La Ronde, Summer Lane, Exmouth, Devon EX8 5BD

Directions: A La Ronde is two miles north of Exmouth in Devon, just off the A376. Click here for an interactive map centred on A La Ronde.

Access: There is level access to the main showrooms on the ground floor. However, space is tight. it is a good idea to contact the property before your visit to discuss your needs. There is level access to the shop, and ramped access to the restaurant through a narrow doorway.

Contact:

telephone: 01395 265514

e-mail: alaronde@nationaltrust.org.uk

web site: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-alaronde/