Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1400 to 1832

Monument Types

• SITE (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1400 AD to 1832 AD)

Full description

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The following text is from the original listed building designation:
WORMSHILL THE STREET TQ 85 NE (east side)
1/269 Yew-tree Farmhouse 26.4.68. GV II Farmhouse. C15 with late C17 and early C19 alterations. Timber- framed. Ground floor of main range clad towards left in flint with brick dressings and towards right, in red brick in Flemish bond. Principal studs exposed. Cross-wing clad in chequered red and grey brick. Plain tile roof. Main range with cross-wing to right and very short addition to right of that, of 1687. 2 storeys on flint plinth. Roof hipped with gablet to left, hipped over wing with gablet, and gabled to right end. Multiple brick ridge stack towards left end and red brick stack with fillet to right end. Irregular fenestration of 4 early C20 leaded casements. C20 boarded door to right end of main range. Datestone to right gable, 1687. Short rear wing to right, chequered red and grey brick with plain tile roof. Interior not inspected.
Listing NGR: TQ8814957393 (1)

Listed Grade 2 farmhouse, C15 with LC17 and EC19 alterations. Timber-framed, 2 storeys on flint plinth. Plain tile roof, hipped. Datestone reading W T 1697, refering to William Thatcher who had just taken over the tenancy and extended the house. MO associated buildings. (2)

Appears the original 15th century house was the small cross section to the left hand end and it faced on to the yard. It was then extended north and south in the late seventeenth century. Internally there are some decorated beams and brackets which correspond to this earlier construction. Partitions are timber framed with wattle and daub infill.

In 1993 a historic landscapes took place at Wormshill Estate conducted by Nicola Bannister. Very little is known about Yew Tree Farm and its early history. It may have originated as part of the Manor at Wormshill before 1700. In 1636 Thomas Thatcher owned the farm and in 1670 his son William Thatcher owned it. (3)

A well was dug in the 18th century at Yew Tree Farm and was 400ft deep however it had since dried up. Dried springs and pond in the area may have lead to farmers resorting to digging wells. There is another at Court Lodge. (1)

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

<2> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<3> Nicola Bannister, 1993, Historic Landscape Survey of Wormshill Estate, Nr Sittingbourne, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE17239.

Sources and further reading