Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1607 to 1892 Almshouses, founded 1607 for John Sedley, restored in 1842 for Thomas Robson and extended to the south by two bays in 1892 for Harry Brassey. The building is of one and one half storeys, of random galletted rubble stone with a plain tiled roof. There are five single doorways and two paired doorways. There are coats of arms over the first single door from the left and over both paired doorways. Over the third single door from the left there is a round plaque with a triangle in the centre, symbolizing the Trinity

Monument Types

• ALMSHOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1607 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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The following text is from the original listed building designation:
AYLESFORD CP ROCHESTER ROAD TQ 75 NW (west side) 8/81 Trinity Court (formerly 1.8.52 listed as The Hospital of the Holy Trinity)
GV II*
Almshouse row. 1607 for John Sedley, restored 1842 for Thomas Robson, and extended to the south in 1892 for Harry Brassey, by two bays. Random galletted rubble stone with plain tiled roof. Stacks to rear. 3 small gabled semi- dormers with gable parapets to left, 2 larger gabled and double-windowed semi- dormers with gable parapets to right. 1 1/2 storeys; irregular 7-window 1st floor and 9-window ground floor. Iron casements in stone mullioned surrounds. Single depressed pointed arched doorways, from left between 1st and 2nd, 2nd and 3rd, 3rd and 4th, 4th and 5th windows and at extreme right end of front. Paired doorways with depressed pointed arched surrounds under 2 right-hand gables (therefore between 5th and 6th and 7th and 8th windows from left). All doors boarded, ribbed and studded. Square plaques with carved coats-of-arms over 1st single door from left and both paired doorways. Round plaque with triangle in centre, symbolising trinity over 3rd single doorway from left.
Listing NGR: TQ7319859030

Description from record TQ 75 NW 25 :
[TQ 7311 5904] Almshouses [TI] (1) The Hospital of the Holy Trinity now called the almhouses consists of 14 stone rooms. It was built in 1605 by Sir William Sedley from money bequeathed by his brother John. After a time the charity lapsed and the building was used as a farmhouse but after litigation the houses were restored in 1842 as almshouses. Four more rooms were added 1892. A weathered stone doorway at the rear of the building is supposed to have come from the chapel at the Friars [TQ 75 NW 29] (2) The Hospital of the Holy Trinity at Aylesford is a rectangular stone building 105 by 21 1/2 feet. Over the door of the chapel is inscribed 'Trino Sacrum' and an inscription over the main entrance states that the building was finished in 1607. [Author describes boundary wall to garden with arched gateway as if they were contemporary with the remainder.] (3) The Priest's doorway into the S. side of the chancel was removed C. 1878 to the Holy Trinity Almshouses. (4) Hospital of the Holy Trinity: Almshouses. An establishment for 14 old people, male and female, from the parishes of Aylesford and Ditton, as described by Igglesden and Thorpe. Good condition. There would appear to be some doubt as to the origin of the gateway at TQ 7310 5905 (authy 4 is clearly in error - see Thorpe) but it is evidently an insertion in the boundary wall which itself may be contemporary with the original foundation. A 25" survey has been carried out, see also GP/AO/59/7/5 from SE (5) Checked and correct. (6) 144/4 The Hospital of the Holy Trinity II* Founded in 1607 by John Sedley, who then held the dissolved friary. Built of coursed stone blocks, 2 storeys, and long ridge tile foof with five gables. The extent of the original building can be seen by the two gables to right which are larger than the others. The part to left was added in the 19th century when the whole row was restored, most of the stone mullioned windows being replaced. An attractive feature is the sundial in one of the original gables. Over two of the doors are arms of the Brassey family of Preston Hall who were responsible for the new wing. 17th century Latin inscription and dedication over centre chapel door. (7) TQ 75 NW AYLESFORD CP ROCHESTER ROAD (west side) 8/81 1.8.52 Trinity Court (formerly listed as The Hospital of the Holy Trinity) GV II* Almshouse row. 1607 (12)

HE archive material: BF098490 HOSPITAL OF THE HOLY TRINITY, ROCHESTER ROAD, AYLESFORD

<1> OS 6" 1938-48 (OS Card Reference). SKE48355.

<2> A. Saunter thro' Kent Vol. 3 (1901) pp. 80 ff. (C.Igglesden) (OS Card Reference). SKE32921.

<3> Custumale Roffense (1788) pp. 66ff (Thorpe) (OS Card Reference). SKE39530.

<4> Short Description of the Church of St. Peter, Aylesford (4th Edn) [undated] (OS Card Reference). SKE49452.

<5> F1 AC 21-JUL-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE41820.

<6> F2 ASP 26-FEB-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE43172.

<7> DOE (HHR) Malling RD Kent May 1950 7 (OS Card Reference). SKE40602.

<8> DOE (HHR) Dist of Tonbridge & Malling Kent 1987 28 (OS Card Reference). SKE40387.

<9> Bldgs of Eng W Kent & the Weald 1980 140-1 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37848.

<10> Field report for monument TQ 75 NW 25 - July, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3879.

<11> Field report for monument TQ 75 NW 25 - February, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3880.

<12> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading