Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade I listed building. Main construction periods 1467 to 1899 Country house, now hotel, of late 15th or early 16th century origin but with substantial rebuilding in 1728. Further alterations were carried out in 1750 and 1880. It is constructed from red brick in English bond except for the central break and part of the adjoining walls of the central section which is of red brick in Flemish bond and the rear elevation which is of red and grey rubbed brick in Flemish bond. The house is of the courtyard type with an E-plan front elevation. In 1997 it was purchased by Arcadian hotels who converted it into a hotel.

Monument Types

• HOUSE (Medieval to Modern - 1467 AD to 2050 AD)
• WALL (WALL, Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TQ 85 SE 15 :
[TQ 8949 5014] Chilston Park [NAT] (1) Chilston Park, Grade I. The original structure of the house dates from the 15th century with earlier foundations. The house was substantially rebuilt in 1728 and alterations made about 1750, 1880. Chilston Park, the Stables, Grade II. L-shaped block dating from before 1719. Chilston Park, The Coachman's Cottages adjoining the Stables, Grade III. Two cottages, back to back, adjoining the stables. The east cottages is mid 18th century and the west cottage early 19th century. (For full descriptions see list.) (2) [TQ 8949 5014] Chilston Park, an impressive brick built house. Well preserved. [TQ 8942 5016] The Coachman's Cottages and Stables have been refurbished and they are in a find condition. (3) Chilston Park, Grade I. Country house. Late 15th century or early 16th century with 17th, 18th and 19th century alterations. (For full description see list.) (4) Additional bibliography. (5) An archaeological watching brief during preparations for an extension to the house in 1997 noted the location of post medieval wall foundations, identified as part of 19th century extensions which were later demolished. (6)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
BOUGHTON MALHERBE TQ 85 SE
4/1 Chilston Park 26.4.68
GV I
Country house. Late C15 or early C16 with C17, C18 and C19 alterations. Red brick in English bond except central break and part of adjoining walls of central section (red brick in Flemish bond) and rear elevation [red and grey rubbed brick in Flemish bond. Diaper work to front of left wing. Plain tile roof. Courtyard house with E-plan front elevation. Re-roofed and front elevation re-fenestrated late C17 or early C18. Central break [replacing 3-storey porch) and other alterations 1728. Late C18 or early C19 alterations to east wing. Further alterations and courtyard infilled in 1880s. North [front] elevation: 2 storeys and attics. Moulded stone plinth, re-worked round central break. Late C17 or early C18 rubbed brick plat bands over ground-floor windows except to central break. Ionic modillioned wooden eaves cornice, continued round central pediment. Right and left wings hipped to front and with C19 gables to rear. Tall brick ridge stacks towards each end of central section. 4 dormers with segmental heads and thick glazing bars. Diocletian window to pediment. Regular 9-window front of recessed 12-pane sashes with thick glazing bars, stone cills and rubbed brick voussoirs; 2 to each wing, one towards each end of main range and 3, deeply recessed and with slightly segmental heads, to central break. Central C19 red brick porch up 4 stone steps, with moulded stone cornice on consoles flanking re-used C18 doorway with double doors of 3 fielded panels each, and semi-circular Gothick fanlight. 1728 datestone beneath Diocletian window. East elevation: plain modillioned wooden eaves cornice. 4 dormers. Five recessed 24-pane sashes with rubbed brick voussoirs. Four 12-pane sashes with shutter hinges, rubbed brick voussoirs and plat bands to ground floor. 2-storey early-to-mid C18 canted bay with plain brick parapet towards north end, with two 8- and one 12-pane sashes to each floor, and blind boxes to first floor. Tall double doors with sunk panels, Gibbs surround and triangular pediment under fourth window from left. Conservatory: at south end of east wing. Early C19. Red brick in Flemish bond with glazed roof. Rectangular with small octagonal south end room. Single-storey height with moulded brick cornice. Pitched glazed roof. Glazed conical roof to octagon, with weather vane. Six 12-pane top- hung casements with rubbed brick voussoirs to each side, and 4 smaller ones to octagon. Internal access from east wing. Central half-glazed double doors to south side of octagon. Interior: C16 three-light stone mullioned window to courtyard side of west wing. C17 or early C18 staircase in north-west corner of former courtyard. Early C18 entrance hall with black and white stone floor, Doric colonnade across rear and plastered ceiling of shallow sunk panels. 4 plastered ceilings, probably circa 1728 to mid C18; one with "papier-mache" rococo design, one deeply coved. Moulded cornices. C18 fireplaces. Doorcases. Imperial staircase of 1880 infilling former courtyard. Carved panelling of circa 1540, probably from Royton Chapel, in staircase hall. [Country Life 19th and 26th December 19521.
Listing NGR: TQ8948750137 (9)

<1> OS 1:10000 1961 (OS Card Reference). SKE48150.

<2> MHLG Hollingbourn RD Kent Nov 1960 3-4 (OS Card Reference). SKE47121.

<3> F1 MJF 12-Mar-86 (OS Card Reference). SKE43025.

<4> Country Life 112 1952 2030 2096 photos (OS Card Reference). SKE39383.

<5> DOE (HHR) Borough of Maidstone Kent 21 November 1986 1 (OS Card Reference). SKE39928.

<6> Bldgs of Eng-West kent & the Weald 1980 174-175 (OS Card Reference). SKE38138.

<7> Field report for monument TQ 85 SE 15 - March, 1986 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4462.

<8> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1997, Chilston Park Country House Hotel, Sandway, Lenham, Kent Archaeological watching brief (Unpublished document). SKE12821.

<9> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading

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