Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

14thc Hall-house. Grade I listed building. Main construction periods 1200 to 1983

Monument Types

• HOUSE (Medieval to Modern - 1200 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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[TQ 66916617] Luddesdown Court [GT] (1) Luddesdown Court. The careful removal of plaster has revealed evidence of ancient work. Walls, windows and jambs are actually Norman. The house is L-shaped, the walls are of flint. At the north end are the remains of the base of a Columbarium which was approached on the interior from the upper storey of the house, the windows of which are deeply splayed. The interior was extensively altered in the Tudor period. [See AO/59/149/4] (2) Though claimed to be of Norman, even Saxon fabric, Luddesdown Court is a doubtful example. The hall fireplace is 13th C. and later; the quoins remaining on the north-east suggest 14th C. A columbarium is attached to the building. The roof fell in in 1913, and the house now has one of corrugated iron. (3) Full description of house, with plans and illustrations. [See AO/59/155/3 and 4] (4) Luddesdown Court - name confirmed -is a 14th c. building L - shaped on plan, of flint with ragstone dressings. It comprises a great hall, lying E-W, with the kitchen, solar and outbuildings (including the dovecote) extending to the N. Although the main fabric is intact only a few original openings survive, the remainder being modern inserts with brick dressings. The great hall, formerly covered with corrugated iron has been re-roofed and tiled. The interior which exhibits the remains of early frescoes was considerably altered in the Tudor period. There are some later additions to the house; namely to the E. end of the hall and in the re-entrant angle of hall and wing. G.Ps. AO/59/192/1 and 2 Panoramic view from S.W. North wing from W. (5) No change. (6) Luddesdown Court. Grade I. Probably early 13th century. Flint and stone dressings. 17th century brick extension to east. Tiled roof (modern). L-shaped. Two storeys. (7) Additional bibliography. (8-10)

Description from record TQ 66 NE 145:
The following text is from the original listed building designation:
TQ 66 NE LUDDESDOWN LUDDESDOWN ROAD 5/59 27.8.52 Luddesdown Court
I
Probably early C13. Flint and stone dressings. C17 brick extension to east. Tiled roof (modern). L-shaped. Two storeys.
Hall and service wing. The hall is on the first floor supported on massive oak joists on a medial beam standing on 2 oak posts. Five windows to south and 5 to west. No original fenestration except narrow loops to west and fragment of 2-light window with central column in south-west corner. Hall originally entered by door in north external wall. Now by late C13 door in east wall. Service wing ends in recently restored garderobe, later a dove cot. A chamber is formed at the east end of the hall by a wooden partition. It has a C14 hooded fireplace with stone bressummer. There are wall paintings and graffiti in the chamber. There are C19 additions in the north-east angle of the house.
Listing NGR: TQ7135773055 (13)

Archive material (14)

<1> O.S. 25" 1936. (OS Card Reference). SKE47805.

<2> A. Saunter through Kent. vol. 12, pp. 53-4. (C. Igglesdon). (OS Card Reference). SKE32922.

<3> Arch. J. vol. 92, 1935. p.190. (OS Card Reference). SKE37156.

<4> "Luddesdown Court" 1930 (W. B. Peake). (OS Card Reference). SKE32669.

<5> F1 CFW 20-AUG-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE42664.

<6> F2 FGA 20-OCT-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE43330.

<7> DOE (HHR) Bor of Gravesham 1983 22 (OS Card Reference). SKE39799.

<8> Dart Dist Ant Soc 1 1931 36-37 (A Cumberland) (OS Card Reference). SKE39611.

<9> Dart Dist Ant Soc 4 1934 14-15 (A Cumberland) (OS Card Reference). SKE39613.

<10> Norman Domest Arch 1974 36 (M Wood) (OS Card Reference). SKE47677.

<11> Field report for monument TQ 66 NE 25 - August, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3520.

<12> Field report for monument TQ 66 NE 25 - October, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3521.

<13> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<14> Historic England, Archive material associated with Luddesdown Court, Listed building (Archive). SKE53868.

Sources and further reading