Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1815 to 1816 Customs and immigration office 1815-16. Second World War control centre in river-facing observation room of the Customs House, The Terrace, Gravesend, for the Royal Navy minesweepers charged with keeping the River Thames clear of mines. It appears to have been used for this purpose from the end of 1939, although its decommissioning date is not known. The observation room is still extant.

Monument Types

• CUSTOM HOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1815 AD to 2050 AD)
• COMMAND POST (Modern - 1939 AD? to 1945 AD?)

Full description

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Description from record TQ 67 SE 47:
[TQ652 743] Customs House. A square, 3-storey brick building with stone cornice and string course at first floor level. An octagonal wooden look-out building stands near it on the sea front. (1) HM Customs and Immigration Office. 1815-16. 3 storeys and 5 windows, facing south, 3 windows facing east. Brown stock brick. [Full architectural description] LISTED GRADE II. (2) Additional reference. (3)

Description from record TQ 67 SE 1179:
Second World War control centre in the pre-existing semi-circular river-facing observation room on the roof of the Customs House at the east end of The Terrace, Gravesend. This was for coordinating the action of the Royal Navy minesweepers charged with keeping the River Thames clear of enemy mines. It appears to have been used for this purpose since the end of 1939, although its decommissioning date is not known. The observation room is still extant.
Owner : Public
Publicly accessible : No
How accessed for survey : Access forbidden - closed Customs security site
Tourism Potential : None
Condition : very good
Date of visit : 15/02/06

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 5277 THE TERRACE (North Side)
HM Customs and Immigration Office TQ 6514 SW 2/12
II
2. 1815-16. 3 storeys and 5 windows facing south, 3 windows facing east. Brown stock brick. Stone stringcourse above ground floor. Stone cornice and parapet. Glazing bars intact. Round-headed windows on the 2nd floor of the east front. Doorway on south front with pilasters, projecting cornice with royal Cartouche in stone over and semi-circular fanlight. On the north front facing the river there is a large 5-light bow window on the roof forming a lookout. Facing west there is a 2 bay extension in matching style with blank windows and Tuscan portico. Stone flagged forecourt bounded by spear railings.
Listing NGR: TQ6519274311 (4)

Additional bibliography (5-6)

<1> The Ind Arch of SE Eng 1978 42 (AJ Haslefoot) (OS Card Reference). SKE50370.

<2> DOE(HHR)Borough of Gravesham, Kent 34 (3.3.75) (OS Card Reference). SKE41241.

<3> The Buildings of England: West Kent and the Weald 303 1980 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE50251.

<4> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<5> Bullock, 1852, Gravesend Reach (Chart). SWX8140.

<6> Bernard Hayden, 03/10/05, Recollections of Bernard Hayden (Miscellaneous Material). SKE13904.

Sources and further reading