Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1720 to 1945. 18th century and later Manor House

Monument Types

• HOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1720 AD to 2050 AD)
• MANOR HOUSE (Post Medieval - 1720 AD to 1900 AD)
• CONVALESCENT HOME (Modern - 1901 AD to 2050 AD)
• OFFICERS MESS (Modern - 1939 AD? to 1945 AD?)

Full description

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Description from record TQ 65 NE 32 :
(TQ 67745732) Manor House (NAT) (1) II* The Manor House *This large Georgian house stands on a raised site facing east, its landscaped park with serpentine lake lying on the opposite side of the road. Probably of 18th century date, the front has been recast in the early 19th century and a balustraded parapet added above the eaves. 8 sash window facade. 2 storeys. The windows are early 19th century and have moulded architrave surrounds, those on ground floor with sunblind cases and entablatures. Centre projecting porch with coupled columns. Steep slate roof with 5 leaded dormers. Below the parapet is the original 18th century moulded cornice with small square modillions. (2) Manor House. On the north side of Offham village green, a handsome five bay, two storey, hipped roof house of c.1700. Purple brickwork with red dressings. Pedimented doorcase with attached fluted columns, Doric with leaves, one would say, rather than Corinthian. (3)

A historic building recording survey in 2005 charted the development and history of the house from high status residence when first built, to convalescent home during the early 20th century, to a mess for RAF officers during the Second World War, to a country hotel, to a management training centre and now to residential accommodation in flats. The building has undergone much structural change. It was refurbished in the ealry 19th century although the internal areas remained largely unchanged. The changes reflected changing social and cultural aspirations of society at the time as the kitchen facilities were removed to a separate building. During its period as a convalescent home the building was well maintained as it was during the RAF usage. The recorders noted that the building was, in 2005, in a good state and they concluded that it was still well worth its statutory protection through listing (4)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
WEST MALLING
TQ6757 ST LEONARD'S STREET 1156-0/2/125 No.60 01/08/52 Douce's Manor (Formerly Listed as: ST LEONARD'S STREET The Manor House)
GV II*
Former large house at present management training centre, c1776, by Benjamin Hubble with alterations and extensions c1802 by Thomas Augustus Dance, with early C20 alterations, Music Room and Conservatory. Cement rendered over brick with steeply pitched slate roof with 4 tall cemented stacks with pseudo-acroteria. 2 storeys and attics. 8 windows to main part. Tall parapet with 8 sections of balustrading concealing 5 flat-roofed dormers. Wide wooden modillion eaves cornice surviving from C18 house. First floor windows are 12-pane sashes in moulded architraves. Ground floor windows are tall 12-pane sashes with sunblind cases, architraves and cornices on brackets. Central Tuscan portico with 4 columns and cornice with ball finials at ends. Double door. Plinth. Right side elevation has a 2-storey 3-light canted bay and a 1-storey cemented range. Left side extension has 5 sashes. Attached is a 1-storey brick extension with massive balustrades and tall chimney with pseudo-acroteria. Front hall has well staircase with 3 turned balusters to each tread, scrolled tread ends with lilies, square newels, curved bow to 1st floor and dado panelling which is probably early C20. Early C19 plastered ceiling with Vitruvian scroll and 2 early C19 Ionic columns. Cornice with fasces, paterae and oval rings of wheat ears. Dining Room front part has early C19 marble fireplace with central panel with reclining female playing lyre with Cupid holding music. Adam-style ceiling with plumed cornice, central oval and corner pendants with ovals containing female figures. Rear part fireplace has an unusual early C19 fireplace with central panel depicting Britannia with helmet and trident pulled by 4 cherubs with helmeted female in corner and 1 cherub playing a lyre. Lounge has a plaster ceiling with deep relief and panelling of Queen Anne type, all probably early C20. Iron basket grate with Delft tiles. C20 music room (now bar) has a barrel-vaulted ceiling of Tudor character and a decorative Edwardian conservatory leads out of it. Plain service staircase with stick balusters and column newel above. C18 winder staircase to cellar which is a Georgian wine cellar with alcoves for storing bottles with two 3-plank doors. This is known as 'Twitch Inn' a bar created during the occupation of the house by the RAF during the Second World War because of the proximity to Malling Air Station and containing relevant photographs and mementoes. Until then the house was occupied by the Douce family. At time of survey the house was the training headquarters of the Commercial Union Assurance Company. (Buildings of England: Newman J: West Kent and the Weald: 579). Listing NGR: TQ6775057329 (5)

<1> OS 1:2500 1968 (OS Card Reference). SKE48210.

<2> DOE (HHR) Dist of Malling RD Kent May 1950 129 (OS Card Reference). SKE40308.

<3> Bldgs of Eng W Kent & the Weald 1980 441 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37895.

<4> CgMs Consulting, 2005, Historic Building Record Douces Manor, St Leonard's Street, West Malling, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE13663.

<5> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading