Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade I listed building. Main construction periods 1695 to 1980

Monument Types

• BUILDING (Post Medieval to Modern - 1695 AD to 1980 AD)

Full description

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The following text is from the original listed building designation:
ROCHESTER HIGH STREET TQ 7468 NW 7/105 The Guildhall including ranges 24.10.50 running parallel to Bull Lane GV I Formerly the Guildhall and Court, with municipal offices, now the County Museum. The original building is of 1695-7 (with original plaster ceiling donated by Sir Cloudesley Shovell): it was freestanding with an open colonnaded paved market place over which stands the Court Chamber served by a rear stair turret. The Council Chamber was situated in the upper floor of the stair turret (the floor removed in 1911, the plaster ceiling surviving). The right-hand wing was acquired in 1838 (late C18 building separately listed, qv, Reference 7/108). A larger Council Chamber was added to the rear of the 1st floor Court in 1866 (architect: H Andrews). The left-hand wing was added in suitable late C17 style in 1891-3 (architects: Goldsmith and Gosling). Increased office space was supplied to rear (towards Corporation Street) in 1907-8. Further alterations in 1911 and 1979-80. Red brick, the 1907-8 work in gault brick; Kent-tile hipped roofs. (1) the original building of 1697: 2 storeys, symmetrical 4-window range. Open-work polygonal bell-turret to ridge; 2 flat-roofed dormers with 2-light casements. Deeply projecting modillion cornice, and segmental pediment over 2 central window bays, also bracketted and moulded. Rusticated quoins, also the surrounds to central window bays which break forward slightly. Rubbed brick surrounds to side windows; flat arches, keystones and panelled aprons to all 1st floor windows. Ground floor open (although subsequently underbuilt in part); dentil cornice, frieze with triglyphs and paired Tuscan Doric columns. Single columns within former market place. (2) Side wings to west: (a) the 1891-3 range fronting High Street stands well forward and abuts the original work. Sympathetic late C17 style (a simplified version of the original projected design of Goldsmith and Gosling). 2-storeys and attic, the dormer built into the roof hip, with 9-pane sash. Deeply overhanging moulded modillion cornice (at a considerably lower level than that of Guildhall). 2-window range, symmetrical. Horned sashes (some glazing bars missing), in reveals, under rubbed brick window arches with keypieces. Plat band and rusticated quoining. Left return a regular 5-window range, its details as to front, with 3 hipped dormers with 9-pane sashes. (b) the 1907-8 block, 2 tall storeys and basement also with modillion cornice tall windows under rubbed red brick flat arches, plat band, and large hipped dormers. Round window to upper floor above panelled door with rectangular overlight. Interior: Council Chamber: coved ceiling with fine plaster work; central oval with fruit and foliage and centrepiece, rinceau work to angles, and end panels containing heraldic devices, dated 1695. Large panels to dado; doorcase with brokcn pediment and panelled double doors. Mayoral rostrum with contemporary iron balustrade. Rear stairs contemporary with balusters similar to mayoral rostrum. Plaster ceiling (to former Council Chamber, removed in 1911), heavier detailing than to Council Chambers, dense foliage and fruit frieze and arabesques; palmette and acanthus frieze. Central putto. The plasterwork around the inserted windows is of 1911, as is the great doorcase into the Mayoral chamber. The 1864 Council Chamber has an elaborate coved ceiling with plasterwork decoration. Contamporary stairs to attic. M I Moad, The Guildhall Rochester, A Brief History (nd).
Listing NGR: TQ7424868738
Formerly TQ 76 NW 82 (1)

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

<2> Bldgs of Eng-West Kent & the Weald (OS Card Reference). SKE38131.

Sources and further reading