Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building.

Monument Types

• SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1550 AD? to 2050 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)
4/28 The Priest's House at
20.6.67 Sissinghurst Castle
GV II*
House, originally probably attached to the main block of the circa 1570 house. C16. Red brick with some stone, some cemented and some red brick dressings. Parapetted roof with one tumble-parapetted gable on each side. Diagonally-placed pinnacles and globes on each gable. Central stack. The gables to east and west contain dormers, the main ridge running north and south. Two storeys
and attic. Transom and mullioned windows with stone and cemented surrounds and drip-moulds on first floor to east and first and ground floors to north. Wooden casements with lattice glazing elsewhere. Boarded door in later extension to south. C20 extensions to south and west. The Priests House was not part of the c.1570 house but may have been attached to it. It may pre-date the house.
Listing NGR: TQ8063637253
(1)

In 2008 the building was subject to a historic building survey. Report not sent to HER team so no further information (3)

In 2010 Archaeology South-East carried out a survey of the building. The building was probably built in the late 16th century as a garden pavilion or banqueting house. It became a house in the 18th century and was extended at this time. During the use of Sissinghurst Castle as a prisoner of war camp in the 18th century this building was probably the main guard room. During the use of the site as a workhouse, this building was used by the bailiff. It is known as the priest's house as it is thought that a chaplain could have lived in the building in the 17th century. There is no evidence for or against this tradition. (2)

<1> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

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South-East, 2011, Sissinghurst Castle, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent: Conservation Management Plan volume 3 (Unpublished document).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

<3> Peter Rumley, 2008, Interpretative Hstoric Building Survey of the Priest's House, Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Sissinghurst, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE55453.

Sources and further reading

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