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

A large, mid-seventeenth century house, possibly designed by Inigo Jones, and known as Judde's Folly. The house was rebuilt in the early 19th century, but was for the most part destroyed by fire in 1961. It has since been rebuilt yet again and functions as a motel and leisure club.

Monument Types

• HOUSE (Burnt down, Post Medieval to Modern - 1652 AD to 1961 AD)
• MOTEL (Modern - 1963 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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

[TQ 9940 6095] Humford Arms Hotel [NAT] (1)
Syndale House (Statutory listed as Mumford Arms), Grade II*. The original house here was called Judde House and was built by Daniel Judde in 1652. It has been attributed to Inigo Jones. If any of this building still exists, it was entirely rebuilt externally in the early 19th century by John Hyde. (For full description see list.) (2)

Syndale House, built by Daniel Judde the Parliamentarian, c. 1652, was destroyed by fire in 1963. (3)

The land was held by the Priory of Rochester. Following the dissolution, it passed to the Dean and Chapter of Rochester. During the Commonwealth this body was abolished and the land sold to Daniel Judde. The house was built in 1652 but with the Restoration, the Dean and Chapter of Rochester was re-established and again took possession, hence the name, "Judde's Folly". The house and gardens are said to have been designed by Inigo Jones. The house was renovated externally in the early 19th century by John Hyde. The building had nine bays and was a large neo-Palladian affair. Additional service buildings were added to the west during the 19th century, including a stables and coach house. The house was largely destroyed by fire on 22nd September 1961, only the west wall of the main building survives, incorporated into the post-fire reconstruction of the site. (4)

<1> OS 1:2500 1967 (OS Card Reference). SKE48209.

<2> DOE(HHR) Swale RD Kent Nov 1960 72 (OS Card Reference). SKE41202.

<3> Bldgs of Eng NE and E Kent 1983 411 (J Newman ed N Pevsner) (OS Card Reference). SKE37816.

<4> Wessex Archaeology, 2008, Syndale Park Motel, Faversham, Kent: Historic Building Assessment (Unpublished document). SKE18237.

Sources and further reading

Related records