Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1400 to 1899

Summary from record TQ 94 NE 30:

17th century or earlier

Monument Types

• SITE (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1400 AD to 1899 AD)
• HOUSE (HOUSE, Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
In the entry for:-
TQ 94 NE WESTWELL CHARING LANE 11/25 Digges Court 17.9.52 - II
The entry shall be amended to read:-
TQ 94 NE WESTWELL CHARING LANE
11/25 Digges Court
- II*
House, formerly manor house. House on site, mentioned by Edward Hasted as being in existence in reign of Edward III but present house retains the remains of a late mediaeval hall-house with some C16 brickwork and 2 chimneys probably added by Sir Dudley de Digge, Master of the Rolls to Elizabeth I, late C17 L-wing to south west and early C19 service buildings added to north. Built of red brick with some grey headers, partly English bond and partly Flemish bond. Old tiled roof hipped to south west and north east and gable ended to south east with tile hanging in gable. 2 late C16 ribbed clustered brick chimney stacks 2 storeys and attics, cellar, L-shaped. South west wing, which is late C17, has 3 hipped dormers, 3 wooden cross casements, wide wooden modillion eaves cornice, moulded brick stringcourses and deep moulded brick plinth. Doorcase in angle of the L was originally from a London town house. It is wooden with engaged Ionic columns, round-headed doorcase with keystone and 6 flush panelled door. South west front has early C20 brick and glazed porch. North west front is of English bond brickwork with 2 cambered arched windows. South east wing has some C16 English bond brickwork and terminates, what was a longer medi-oval range. Wooden cross casement facing south west. Attached to the north is an L-shaped early C19 range of 1 storey brick and tiled service buildings with an attached section of wall in English bond. Interior of south west wing retains dais beam to former open hall with deep curve, roll moulding and triangular stop. Above is truss with tie beam having 2 inch chamfer and run out stop, 2 arched braces and kingpost and a section of wall framing is visible with curved tension brace. South east wing has late C17 cellar with small gabled alcove, probably for lanterns. Ground floor dining room in position of late mediaeval sola has late C17 pine panelling with dado rail, bolection-moulded architrave to door and bolection-moulded fireplace. Painted late C17 mantelpiece with flemish or Dutch scene (possibly allegorical) with church, bridge with swans, house, tree with enormous owl and figures. Hall has late C17 oak well staircase with twisted baluster ball finials and pendants. 3 panelled door to lounge in bolection- moulded surround with 2 late C17 Dutch style paintings of tulips, and roses, one urn. Above is a late C17 overmantel with castle lake and man with clay pipe fishing. Drawing room has L hinges to reverse of this 3 panelled door, bolection-moulded pine fireplace and oak axial beam with 4 inch chamfer. Large bedroom on 4 landing has a 2 panelled door. 1st floor bedroom, which appears to have been the principal bedroom, has a 2 panelled door with strapwork painted decoration, bolection-moulded door and late C17 painted overmantel showing a hunting scene with alehouse, a man shooting pheasants and a dog chasing a hare. The reverse of this door has an overmantel with painted scene of timber-framed building, bridge, church and ducks on pond. Another door on the same wall (possibly originally leading to a powder closet or dressing room) has a late C17 painted overmantel with windmill, church with spire and man in waders, and there is a bolection-moulded pine fireplace between the 2 doors. 2 rooms have wooden fireplaces with fragments of C17 carvings, one a flat fish, the other a mermaid. The attic storey has 2 plank doors. Roof structure is late C17.
1. 5272 WESTWELL CHARING LANE
TQ 94 NE 11/25 17.9.52. Digges Court
II
2. C17 or earlier L-shaped building once part of a large house. It is timber-framed inside but refaced with red brick and grey headers, the first floor of the east wing tile-hung, in the C18. Tiled roof, hipped at the south end with a gable end to the eat. Three hipped dormers. Wooden modillion eaves cornice. Four casement windows. Doorcase in the angle of the 'L', with Ionic columns, pediment and round-headed door.
Listing NGR: TQ9732447780

Description from record TQ 94 NE 30:
(TQ97374777) Digges Court [NAT] (1) Digges Court. 17th c or earlier L-shaped building once part of a larger house. It is timber-framed inside but refaced with red brick and grey headers, the first floor of the east wing tile-hung, in the 18th c. Tiled roof, hipped at the south end with a gable end to the east. (Listed Grade II*) [Full archaeological description] (2)

English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<1> OS 1: 2500 (OS Card Reference). SKE48135.

<2> DOE (HHR) District of Ashford, upgraded 25.4.89 10th October 1980 (246) (OS Card Reference). SKE40490.

Sources and further reading