Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1833 to 1866.

Monument Types

• SITE (Post Medieval - 1833 AD to 1866 AD)

Full description

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The following text is from the original listed building designation:
CRANBROOK BIDDENDEN ROAD TQ 83 NW (NORTH SIDE) 4/32 Sissinghurst Sissinghurst Castle - Farmhouse GV II
Farmhouse. Mid C19. Red and blue brick chequer with red brick dressings. Plain and fishscale tiled roof in bands. Two tall brick stacks with heavy mouldings and oversailing cornices on ends of main ridge, and 2 to rear at left. Projecting Cross-gables to left and right and small gable to left of right-hand gable, all with crowsteps and gablet mouldings over each step. Two storeys and attics; one ogee-headed window with hexagonally-glazed casements in each of left and right gables. Irregular fenestration of 4 glazing bar sashes on both floors below. Entrance in left-hand projecting cross-wing to right with double boarded doors in round-arched surrounds. Included for group value only.
Listing NGR: TQ8077038394

An interpretative vernacular buildings survey of Castle Farmhouse, Sissinghurst. A Grade II Listed building, built in 1855, seen as a period of high Victorian farming. Constructed from red brick in flemish bond, with the addition of blue brick 'ornamental' burnt headers, to create a chequered pattern. The plain and fishscale tiled roof is layed in bands, surmounted by four sets of tall chimney stacks all with heavy brick mouldings and over-sailing courses. The building, rectangular in plan, is three storeys high and exhibits gauged rubbed brickwork around its entrances and windows. Its gables are crow-stepped and spring from projecting kneelers. The interior exhibits less architectural detailing, with lath and plaster walls. The old stable and garaging, not listed, are associated with the farmhouse, so too the entrance drives and parkland to the west. The house is architecturally divided between higher status rooms at the south end and 'lower status' service activities at the northern end (1).

In 2010 Archaeology South-East carried out a building survey. (2)

<1> National Trust, 2008, Castle Farmhouse, Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Sissinghurst: Interpretative Historic Building Survey (Unpublished document). SKE15642.

<2> Archaeology South-East, 2011, Sissinghurst Castle, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent: Conservation Management Plan volume 3 (Unpublished document). SKE25133.

Sources and further reading