Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade I listed building. Main construction periods 1591 to 2050. House constructed in 1591 opposite a 13th century moated house which was then used as a pigeon house. It comprises a three-storey building with a tiled roof. A gazebo was also constructed in 1591. The stables were added in the 19th century.

Monument Types

• HOUSE (HOUSE, Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

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The following text is from the original listed building designation:
HORTON KIRBY FRANKS LANE 1. 5280 Franks Hall (formerly listed as Franks) TQ 56 NE 3/176 1.8.52 I 2.
This house was built in 1591 by Lancelot Bathurst (died 1594). The original mansion was on the other side of the river but was very damp so it was abandoned and a new house built. It is a square building of 3 storeys. Red brick on a tall base of knapped flints. Tiled roof. Casement windows in stone surrounds with stone mullions and transoms. The entrance front faces east. The centre of 2 windows is recessed with a parapet over it having a small pediment in the centre surmounted by a finial. Advanced wings of 2 windows each edged with long and short stone dressings. The centre windows have 2-lights, in 2 tiers on the first floor and in 3 tiers on the ground floor. The windows flanking these have a similar arrangement of 4-lights each. The outermost windows are bays of 2 tiers of 6-lights on the ground and first floors. Stone doorway left of centre with Doric columns on tall bases, triglyph frieze and curved pediment flanked by finials. This leads into a recessed porch. The north or garden front has 5 windows of 2 tiers of 3-(and one of 4) lights and similar dressings flanking it. A gable surmounted by a finial at each end, and in the centre 3 projecting chimney breasts topped by 3 octagonal shafts each. The south front is somewhat similar but has only 2 chimney breasts, placed just within the outer gables. Six windows. Large bay window of 2 tiers of 6-lights left of the centre ground floor window with a strap work parapet over it. The west front has 4 windows and a projecting central octagonal turret. The C19 wooden cupola which surmounted it has been removed. The interior has very fine plastered ceilings, one dated 1951, stone fireplaces, panelling and late C16 staircase. See Country Life Article 26th July 1913. Listing NGR: TQ5550267822 (15)

Description from record TQ 56 NE 20 :
[TQ 5549 6782] Franks [NAT] (1)

The name is formed from the Frankish family who built a house during the reign of Henry III (1216-72) on the opposite bank of the river from the present one, but the site proved too damp and by the beginning of the C16th, the house was in ruins and the family had died out. In 1591, as only a bare ruin of the former house remained (probably the pigeon house formed a portion or constituted one of its towers (b)- a circular structure east of the river is visible on the tithe map (2014 amend)) Lancelot Bathurst decided to build the present house (a) which is a square building of three storeys, red brick on a tall base of knapped flints.Tiled roof. The interior has fine plaster ceilings, one dated 1591. At TQ 5552 6784 there is a gazebo contemporary with the house, but altered in the C19th. It is a small square two-storey building faced with knapped flints with stone quoins. Hipped tiled roof. Adjoining the SE side is a red brick archway flanked by pilasters dated 1689, but the brickwork appears modern (c). (2)

Franks a private residence in excellent condition is as described by authy 2 (c). See GP's AO/60/142/6: House from S 7: Front door from SE 8: Gazebo from S At TQ 5554 6777 there is a dry homestead moat, the site of the earlierhouse. Three sides only remain, the NW side having been incorporated in the R Darenth. At the NE and SE corners are small circular mounds: there is no evidence of a pigeon-house. At TQ 5557 6770 is a fish- pond, now dry. (3)

No change. (4)

Franks Hall (formerly listed as Franks), Franks Lane, Horton Kirby. Grade I. This house was built in 1591 by Lancelot Bathurst (died 1594)The original mansion was on the other side of the river but was very damp so it was abandoned and a new house built. It is a square building of 3 storeys. Red brick on a tall base of knapped flints. Tiled roof. Casement windows in stone surrounds with stone mullions and transoms. The entrance front faces east. The centre of 2 windows is recessed with a parapet over it having a small pediment in the centre surmounted by a finial. Advanced wings of 2 windows each edged with long and short stone dressings. The centre windows have 2-lights,in 2 tiers on the first floor and in 3 tiers on the ground floor. The windows flanking these have a similar arrangement of 4-lights each. The outermost windows are bays of 2 tiers of 6-lights on the ground and first floors. Stone doorway left of centre with Doric columns on tall bases, triglyph frieze and curved pediment flanked by finials. This leads into a recessed porch. The north or garden front has 5 windows of 2 tiers of 3- (and one of 4) lights and similar dressings flanking it. A gable surmounted by a finial at each end, and in the centre 3 projecting chimney breasts topped by 3 octagonal shafts each.The south front is somewhat similar but has only 2 chimney breasts, placed just within the outer gables. Six windows. Large bay window of 2 tiers of 6-lights, left of the centre ground floor window with a strap work parapet over it. The W front has 4 windows and a projectingcentral octagonal turret. The C19 wooden cupola which surmounted it has been removed. The interior has very fine plaster ceilings, one dated 1591, stone fireplaces, panelling and late C16 staircase. See Country Life Article 26th July 1913.

Entrance Gateway to Franks Hall. Grade II. Later C19 possibly by E.W. Roumieu. Four arches forming central carriageway and 2 pedestrian entrances. Red brick with stone dressings. Stone cornices and ball finials. Modern wrought iron gates, not of special interest.

Gazebo and attached archways to NE of Franks Hall. Grade II. C16 and C17 altered in C19. The gazebo is a small sqaure building of 2 storeys which is entered at first floor level from the terrace or lawnon its west side. It is faced with knapped flints with stone quoins. Wide C19 wooden modillion eaves cornice. Hipped tiled roof. On the ground floor of the north front is a stone doorway, and another in the NE angle adjoining it. On the first floor of the N and E fronts is an original window with cement-coated brick mullion and surround. The window on the S and W fronts have been altered in the C19. Adjoining to the SE is a red brick archway flanked by pilasters with a curved pediment over it containing the date 1689 but the brickwork appears modern. This was moved from another position in front of the house. To the SE there is a flint and stone archway with 4 centred archway. Modern stone finials.

Garden Niche to W of Franks Hall. Grade II. Probable C19 garden ornament but in C18 style. It is set in the rear wall of a yellow brick Victorian garden shed and was designed to form the termination of a view from the garden on one side. The garden shed itself is not of special interest. Stone panel about 12 feet in height having a cornice with shield and cornucopia, pilasters and a shell with head of Neptune. Vacant plinth for statue.

Stables to N of Franks Hall. Grade II. Late C19, possibly by E.L. Roumieu. Quadrangular in form. One to 2 storeys red brick, tiled roof. Casement windows with stone dressings. Carriage arch. Arched doorcases. (Above are all copied lisitng descriptions).

Additonal bibliography (5-8).

Not mentioned in County checklist of moated sites in Kent - December 1979. (9)

Franks was built by Lancelot Bathurst, a London alderman, is dated 1591 on two plaster ceilings, and survives as one of the completest Elizabethan houses in the County. Square in shape, four ranges around a central courtyard. Brick built. The windows also inform the late Elizabethan date. Remodelled in 1860-1. Courtyard filled with a staircase at this point.(10)

Additional bibliography - not consulted. (11-13)

Archaeological survey of house, in advance of proposed alterations to the Grade 1 house to return it to its original domestic function. Occupancy of house outlined. Map regression noting changes in wider buildings complex. Building particulalrly significant due to its completeness. Appears to have been designed with a view to accomodating Elizabeth I first on her travels. Late 19th century and early 20th century changes were broadly sympathetic allowing the original building and hierarchy to survive.
Phase 1: construction of House by 1591, replacing moated house site at TQ 56 NE 20. The ruins of the old house may have formed part of the landscaping for Franks Hall, providing a 'romantic ruin.' Perhaps designed as a Prodigy House, built to accommodate the Queen and her entourage on her travels or the hope that such a visit would be made. The Royal Arms above the fireplace in the Great Hall may indicate a visit did take place. The old house opposite may have been retained to facilitate this visit. Further it is suggested that the main kitchen for the building and household may have been in a detached building, no longer surviving. All four building elevations are broadly symetrical, but the off centre main doorway indicates a transistional architectural period from cross passage and great hall (medieval), to great chamber above. Great parlour and chamber in the north east corner intended as lodgings for important visitors, southwest wing lodgings less elaborately decorated, for the owners and their family? Service facilities in unheated rooms in rear wing. The original format of the building, room proportions and layout survives to the date of this report.
Phase 2. Post Elizabethan changes, see TQ 56 NE 141 to the NE.
Phase 3. Victorian: 19th century alteration may well have removed Phase 2 amendments. Great Hall windows enlarged. Mid 19th century served as a farm building before restoration works in the late 19th century by new owner Robert Bradford and commissioned architect R L Roumieu. Inner court filled with top lit stair hall and neo Elizabethan staircase. Arcade added to northwest side of first floor staircase. Chimney stacks added to service rooms. Cellars updated and extended. Interior re-decoration at this time and 'reinstatement' of original decorative elements. Stair turret cupola on northwest side of house added or modified. Alterations to buildings to the north see TQ 56 NE 160.
Phase 4. Minor changes after building brought back into Bathurst family in 1910. Canted bay window and parapet added on southwest side of house and 'Ladies Parlour' redecorated.
Phase 5. 20th century alterations, upgrading and insertion of kitchen and bathroom facilities in lower status and later parts of building. Change from domestic to office use by 1980, two spiral staircases inserted.
Detailed description see report (14).

<1> OS 6" 1936 (OS Card Reference). SKE48337.

<2> Trans Dartford District Ant Soc No 2 1932 32-34 (OS Card Reference). SKE50644.

<3> Horton Kirby 1857 9 MS notes (E Cresy) (Copy in Dartford Borough Library) (OS Card Reference). SKE44180.

<4> MHLG Schedule Dartford HLG 3541 1952 (OS Card Reference). SKE47171.

<5> F1 ASP 12-JUL-60 (OS Card Reference). SKE42070.

<6> F1 ASP 15-JUL-60 (OS Card Reference). SKE42122.

<7> F2 ASP 28-AUG-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE43182.

<8> DOE (HHR) Dist of Sevenoaks Kent Oct 1982 64 (OS Card Reference). SKE40323.

<9> Moated Sites Res Gp 6 1979 (ed J Bond) (OS Card Reference). SKE47249.

<10> The Buildings of England W Kent and the Weald 1980 336-7 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE50221.

<11> Franks a country seat of the sixteenth century illustrated in the nineteeth century 1984 (C Latham) (OS Card Reference). SKE43442.

<12> Field report for monument TQ 56 NE 20 - July, 1960 (Bibliographic reference). SKE2887.

<13> Field report for monument TQ 56 NE 20 - August, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE2888.

<14> Maggie Henderson, 2014, Franks Hall, Horton Kirby, Kent: Archaeological Interpretive Survey (Unpublished document). SKE29674.

<15> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading

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