Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1320 to 1901 A four bay vaulted undercroft measuring approximately 17.55m in length by 5.10m and standing to a height of 3.15 metres. Dating possibly to the first half of the 14th century, the undercroft lies entirely below the extant street leve now beneath No.35 High St (TQ 76 NW 81). It is likely that the structure above the undercroft level in the medieval period would have been a prestigious timber-framed building, perhaps with stone cladding. Decorated bosses are located down the spine of the vault where the ribs intersect. The decoration is mostly of floral design but also includes human figures and creatures. The condition of these decorative features varies.

Later in its history it has been used as a skittle alley and a beer cellar.

Monument Types

• UNDERCROFT (Medieval to Modern - 1300 AD? to 2050 AD (between))
• INN (Medieval to Modern - 1320 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

Formerly TQ 76 NW 81

Description from record TQ 76 NW 368:
The presence of windows along the George Lane side of the structure, possibly favours the undercroft being a shop. A 10th century date for the actual lane and others at right-angles to the High St. is possible by analogy. It is likely that the structure above the undercroft level in the medieval period would have been a prestigious timber-framed building, perhaps with stone cladding.(1)

The four bay vaulted undercroft measures approximately 17.55m in length by 5.10m and stands to a height of 3.15 metres. Dating possibly to the first half of the 14th century, the undercroft lies entirely below the extant street level. The northern most bays are rectangular in plan, but to the south, against the street, they are slightly irregular, not quite at ninety degrees to the frontage, presumably as the undercroft was aligned beneath the plot or building that once lay above. There are four blocked windows on the eastern side and two blocked doorways on the western side. To the north there is a modern opening to an extension and on the southern end a wide entrance, leading up to the street, flanked on either side by a medieval window blocked by 18th or 19th century alterations. The internal walls comprise roughly coursed ragstone rubble laid in a course shelly, lime mortar. Each bay has a ribbed construction; the ribs rise from corbels positioned in the corners and sides of the undercroft. Decorated bosses are located down the spine of the vault where the ribs intersect. The decoration is mostly of floral design but also includes human figures and creatures. The condition of these decorative features varies.

Later in its history it has been used as a skittle alley and a beer cellar Connected with the current building above the undercroft, No.35 High St (TQ 76 NW 81).(2-3)

Additional references. (4-7)
Formerly at TQ76 NW 386

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
ROCHESTER HIGH STREET TQ 7468 NW 7/109 No 35 (George Vaults) (formerly 24.10.50 listed as George Inn) GV II* Public house. Late C18 and C19, built over early C14 (c.1320-5) vaulted undercroft. Brick; hipped tile roof. 3 storeys; regular 3-window range. Brick parapet with stone coping and cornice band. 2nd floor: 4-pane horned sash windows under flat rubbed brick arches. 1st floor: large Venetian window with 2:4:2 horned sashes. Late Victorian pub front with glazed brick plinth, central half-glazed double door with rectangular overlight; large side windows and blocked side doors. C18 rainwater head between this and No 37. Left return with fragmentary dentilled cornice. Modern boiler stack and some hornless sash windows. The building is notable for its early C14 undercroft (which gives Geroge Vaults its starred listing grade). Chalk ashlar and rubble; 4 bays; quadrapartite vaults with longitudinal rib; chamfered ribs with rubble infill; foliated bosses with various creatures. Moulded capitals to shaft with foliated necks and pyramid stops. The decorative detailing is much eroded. One pointed arch doorway (blocked) to E; other openings, also blocked, set high to W. Further arched doorways to the S (street-side) are obscured from view. The undercroft measures 54 feet x 16 ft 8½ ins and is 11 ft high. Drawings of the undercroft with details appear in George Payne, 'Medieval Crypts at Rochester'. Archaeolooia Cantiana XXIV (1900), 220-4.
Listing NGR: TQ7427268688 (8)

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

<1> Payne, G., 1900, Medieval Crypts at Rochester (Article in serial). SKE12472.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2004, Final Report on Archaeological Work Undertaken at the George Vaults, Rochester (Unpublished document). SKE12299.

<3> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2001, Evaluation at the George Vaults, 35 High Street, Rochester 2001 (Unpublished document). SKE7592.

<4> Alan Ward, 1994, Rochester and District Archaeology Report No.2 The George Vaults (Unpublished document). SKE6895.

<5> Newman, J., 1980, Buildings of England: West Kent and the Weald, Newman J(1980)The Buildings of England:West kent and the Weald. 494 (Monograph). SKE7817.

<6> DOE(HHR)City of Rochester upon Medway Kent, 2nd Dec 1991 59 (OS Card Reference). SKE41273.

<7> DOE(HHR)Dist of City of Rochester Kent July 1969 20 (OS Card Reference). SKE41297.

<8> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading