Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1400 to 1732 Frognal is possibly a four bay late medieval hall house, extensively remodelled in 1668. Further rebuilds were carried out in the early eighteenth century, notably of the east front. No certain traces of a moat have been seen. Frognal farmhouse is associated with a large barn, originally dated to 1548 but extensively rebuilt after a fire in 1908

Monument Types

• HOUSE (Medieval to Modern - 1400 AD to 2050 AD)
• BARN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• MOAT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD? to 1900 AD?)

Full description

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Description from record TQ 96 SW 1:
[TQ 9484 6339] Frognal [NAT] (1) The half-timbered House bears the date 1668 on one gable and its general appearance is of that time, though the brick front was probably built in the 18th century. There was an enormous barn bearing the date 1688 but this was burnt down in 1908 and rebuilt. "Frognal" - as described above. G.P./AO/59/221/6 House from N.W. At "A" [TQ 9476 6338] is the large 17th century barn, the lower parts of the walls in early brick, the remainder rebuilt. The ground to the S.W. of "Frognal" has been dug for brickearth. There is a stagnant pond in one hollow but no certain traces of a moat could be seen (3). Frognal Farmhouse and Garden Wall, Grade II, Lower Road (south side). 16th century, 1668 for Ralph Clerke, early 18th century for Sir Joseph Taylor. Four bay late medieval hall house in moated site remodelled 1668 with parallel range added to east early 18th century.

Barn 50 yards to west of Frognal Farmhouse, Grade II, Lower Road (south side). Dated 1548 on south wall and repaired 19th century. (For full descriptions see list.) (4). Frognal Farmhouse and Garden wall. Grade amended to II* (5). Frognal has a west front of great charm, dated 1668. That makes it a very late example of timber-framing. The building has a continuous overhang, and at the top are four overhanging gables, the left one larger with braces making geometrical patterns. The walls are plastered and incised lines attempt to give them the look of stone. The trim, red brick, east front dates from the early 18th century. The long brick barn bears a date on the south wall read by Mr J. N. Wallace as 1548 (6). Not listed in the county checklist for moated sites in Kent - December1979 (7). Additional reference (8) and site photographs (9-11).

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
In the entry for TEYNHAM LOWER ROAD 2/162 Frognal Farmhouse and Garden Wall
The Grade shall be amended to read II*
TQ 96 SW TEYNHAM LOWER ROAD (south side)
2/162 Frognal Farmhouse and Garden Wall 27.8.52
GV II
House, now residential home. C16, 1668 for Ralph Clerke, early C18 for Sir Joseph Taylor. Rear range timber framed and exposed with painted brick and plaster infill and part clad with red brick, front range of brick work. Plain tiled roofs. Four bay late medieval hall house in moated site remodelled 1668 with parallel range added to east early C18. Front range: 2 storeys attic and basement on plinth with plat band projecting centre piece with coved top, and moulded modillion eaves cornice to roof, half hipped to left with parapet with central segment headed dormer and flat C20 dormer to right, and kneelered gable and stack to right. Regular fenestration of 5 C20 glazing bar sashes in box surrounds on first floor and 4 on ground floor with segmental heads. Central door of 6 raised and fielded panels and 2 glazed panels at head of flight of 3 steps with sweeping iron rails, with pilaster surround and scrolled pediment on consoles. Basement openings to left. Rear Range: 2 storeys and 4 gables withbressummers carved with billet mould, crenellation, and vine motifs, that centre left dated 1668; end left with part painted circular bracing. Three stacks. Rebuilt porch to left initialled: N. G. Interior: the porch in rear range leads into old screens passage, with 2 arched doorways to service area; possible remodelled crown post roof. Early C18 stair case, 4 flights around open well (complicated by C20 fire screens), with wreathed and moulded handrail, and turned balusters, and banded pendants and finials. Wall to road to east of house, of red brick in English bond, four foot in height, swept down twice to east of house, on plinth, extending approximately 30 yards.[see BOE, Kent II, 1983, 475, E Selby, Teynham Manor and Hundred, 1982, 39]
Listing NGR: TQ9484063391 (12)

Historic England archive material: OS59/F221/6 FROGNAL HOUSE, TEYNHAM 1668 - FROM NORTH WEST. Photographer: UNKNOWN

<1> OS 6" 1909 (OS Card Reference). SKE48324.

<2> Teynham Manor and Hundred 1935 37-38 (E Selby) (OS Card Reference). SKE49845.

<3> F1 AC 11-JUL-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE41789.

<4> DOE (HHR) Swale District Kent 21 March 1985 63 (OS Card Reference). SKE40645.

<5> DOE (HHR) Swale Boro Kent Ammendment 21 3 85 (OS Card Reference). SKE40625.

<6> The Buildings of England North East and East Kent 1983 474-5 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE50205.

<7> Moated Site Research Gp Report 6 1979 48 (ed C J Bond) (OS Card Reference). SKE47242.

<8> Field report for monument TQ 96 SW 1 - July, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4926.

<9> FROGNAL HOUSE, TEYNHAM 1668 - FROM NORTH WEST. (Photograph). SKE1434.

<10> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9619.

<11> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9620.

<12> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading

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