Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1437 to 1899. Formerly the 15th century Sun Inn.

Monument Types

• SITE (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1437 AD to 1899 AD) + Sci.Date

Full description

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The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 944 BURGATE (North East Side)
No 37 TR 1457 NE 4/22 3.12.49. TR 1557 NW 5/22
II* GV
2. Outwardly C18 but part of a C15 timber-framed house. 3 storeys and attics painted brick. Old tiled roof with 2 hipped dormers. Second floor has 2 C19 sashes, Overhang to first floor which has 2 fine C18 2 light bows havin g wooden cornices with brackets and alternate triglyph and paterae friezes. The ground floor has an C18 shopfront with fluted pilasters and moulded frieze. The rear elevation is tile-hung and there is a C19 extension of 1 storey buff brick, crenellated with a round-headed doorcase having a semi- circular fanlight and fielded panelled door.
Nos 23 to 37 (consec) and the Christchurch Gateway form a group.
Listing NGR: TR1499757861 No 37 Burgate [TR 14995786 sited from OS 1/2500 1957] Grade II*. Outwardly C18 but part of a C15 timber-framed house. 3 storeys and attics painted brick. Old tiled roof with 2 hipped dormers. Second floor has 2 C19 sashes. Overhang to first floor which has 2 fine C18 2 light bows having wooden cornices with brackets and alternate triglyph and patreae friezes. The ground floor has an C18 shopfront with fluted pilasters and moulded frieze. The rear elevation is tile-hung and there is a C19 extension of 1 storey buff brick, crenellated with a round-headed doorcase having a semi-circular fanlight and fielded panelled door. (3) 35-37 Burgate, formerly The Sun, 1437-8. A survey of the existing timber frame has been drawn. (4) Nos 36-38 [sic] Burgate, originally "The Sun Inn" built 1437-8. Retiling of the roof and vertical surfaces has exposed much original timber-work of the early 15th century. (5)

Dendrochronology dating gave a date range of 1425-1460. (6)

Excavation at the site of 35-37 Burgate in 1986 revealed evidence for the original chalk and flint walls upon which the 15th century building was constructed. The vaulted chalk block cellar of the building is thought to be contemporary with the main walls, and was exposed during excavations at the site.
Scars for the medieval timber building are present on the western end of the building's front wall, and the rear wall demonstrates evidence for the presence of hearths, evidenced by patches of vertical tile.

Alterations occurred to the west end of the building in 1510-17 during the construction of Christchurch Gate. The rear wall of the house was affected by the construction of buttressing for the gate. A tiled floor and probable contemporary drain were created soon after Christchurch Gate construction. "Contemporary with the tiled floor was a flight of four steps leading down from the floor level to the north-west corner of the building. The steps were built of stone and glazed tile, the supper step exhibiting wear grooves from a door across the stairs. The stairs led down to a mortar screed floor set 40 cm. below the general floor level. In the sixteenth century Gate wall above the sunken area were putlog holes for a timbered spiral staircase giving access to the first floor" (from the original report, 7). (7)

An assessment of the site highlighted that the site was formerly that of the Sun Inn (1437-c.1760).(8)

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

OS Card / NAR index (Unpublished document). SKE6461.

<6> Vernacular Architecture Group, ADS Dendrochronology Database, Vol. 19, Pg. 48 (Website). SKE17391.

<7> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1986, Canterbury Archaeological Trust Annual Report 1985-86 (Serial). SKE55965.

<8> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2015, NUMBERS 35 TO 37 BURGATE CANTERBURY Historic building and archaeological assessment (Unpublished document). SKE56163.

Sources and further reading