Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1599 to 1829. This is the much altered mansion built originally by Sir John Roper in 1599. The wings of the earlier 16th to 17th century building were demolished in about 1829 and the surviving central portion of the Elizabethan house was re-roofed with slate and covered with rough cast.

Monument Types

• HOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1599 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TQ 95 NW 3:
[TQ 9471 5965] Lynsted Park [NAT] (1) In 1599 the first Lord Teynham, possibly owing to scarcity of water, removed from the ancient manor house of Bedmangore (TQ 95 NE 1) to a new site about 0.25 miles away where he erected a fine mansion, a portion of which still remains. There were six courtyards, and the foundations of the original house and courtyards can still be traced. One of the old entrances with a postern gate at its side can be seen today in the Lion's Court about three quarters of the way up the avenue of lime trees which links the new site with the pre-1599 site. In the south walled-in garden is another entrance with postern gate in excellent preservation. In the garden too, is a well open to the sky,but once within the mansion. There was a private chapel, but the crypt remains and the original entrance from the house has recently been opened up. A wing was added to each side of the Elizabethan mansion in George I's time. The mansion was three storeys high and contained 100 rooms. The wings and a large portion of the extensive buildings were pulled down about 1829. The central portion, red brick, since covered with rough cast, was left and forms the present house. In recent years an entrance has been made at the west front, but the Tudor porch still remains at the east side of the original frontage. It is coloured in black and white. Lynstead Park once went under the name of Lodge, and is the seat of the Ropers, being at present owned by Mrs Roper-Lumley-Holland. (2) Lynstead Park presents an early 19th century appearance except for the Renaissance east porch (see GP/AO/63/129/1: from E) and the garden walls. It is of little architectural interest. The well has been filled in: the "crypt" is an 18th century ice-house or wine cellar. (3) Lynsted Park. A fragment of a large Elizabethan house, disguised in 1829 with white stucco and a low slate roof that reduces it to two storeys. It was built in c. 1599 by Sir John Roper, later Lord Teynham. An 18th century engraving shows an E-plan house with long wings and a central porch. There appears to be some question about how much of the old house is preserved in the present L-shaped building. There are loose date-stones of 1617 and 1570, and extensive Elizabethan brick garden walls. (4) Lynsted Park and adjacent garden walls, Grade II*. House, 1599 and 1829. (For full description see list.) (5)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
TQ 95 NW LYNSTED LYNSTED PARK
4/79 Lynsted Park and adjacent garden walls 27.8.52
GV II*
House. 1599 and 1829, built originally for Sir John Roper, first Baron Teynham. Red brick and slate roof. Originally on E-plan of 4 storeys, now L-shaped plan. Two storeys on plinth with hipped roof and stacks to centre left and projecting end right. Three glazing bar sashes of 8 panes on first-floor, and 3 of 12 panes on ground floor to left of porch, with large C19 oriel to right and glazing bar sash below. Porch centre right, 2 storeys, of red brick and ashlared dressings on ashlar base. Semi- circular doorway arch on imposts with Doric columns and bracket frieze, and Ionic columns with cornice on first floor, and 6 light mullioned window. Rear front: part enclosed arcade of 3 bays to left and 2 bays and return to right of panelled door with 'Gibbs' surround and shaped gable with strapwork decoration, of indeterminate date. Interior: the interior arrangements much altered by the demolition of much of the house in 1829. Entrance hall with bolection moulded doorway with moulded spandrels and surrounds and decorated jamb stops. Internal mullioned windows, originally to courtyard, now infilled. Upstairs rooms with plastered ceilings. Cut off at the edges by demolition of 1829, based on portrait medallions of classical heroes, and coats of arms. Room to right of porch with pendant ceiling, and grottesque and strapwork frieze, and painted overmantel of 2 achievements. Both rooms are wainscotted, C16, in part reset. Some C18 bolection moulded dado panelling. To left (south) of house is an externally entered underground chamber, probably originally an internal cellar. To the north of the house, a large walled garden, C18, red brick walls 7 foot in height, overall dimensions approximately 50 yards by 150 yards. (See B.O.E., Kent II, 1983, 379; E. Selby Teynham Manor and Hundred, 1982,edn., 68). Listing NGR: TQ9471359655 (6)

<1> OS 6" 1938-48 (OS Card Reference). SKE48355.

<2> A Saunter through Kent 2 1928 62-64 (Sketch opp p 60) (C Igglesden) (OS Card Reference). SKE32860.

<3> F1 ASP 09-JUL-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42014.

<4> The Buildings of England NE and E Kent 364-5 (N Pevsner and J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE50178.

<5> DOE (HHR) Boro of Swale Kent 21 3 1985 31 (OS Card Reference). SKE39887.

<6> Field report for monument TQ 95 NW 3 - July, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4809.

<6> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<7> JACOBEAN EAST PORCH AT LYNSTEAD PARK FROM EAST. (Photograph). SKE2538.

Sources and further reading