Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Milner Court, formerly Sturry Court, represents what is left of the once-large C16th manor house until the Dissolution the property of St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury. Viscount Milner occupied the house from 1921-25 and on his death in 1925 it was given by Lady Milner to King's School, Canterbury, and has been part of the Junior School of that school since 1928.

Summary from record TR 16 SE 205:

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1066 to 1980

Monument Types

• MANOR HOUSE (Medieval to Modern - 1066 AD to 2050 AD)
• SCHOOL (MANOR HOUSE, Modern - 1928 AD (between) to 2050 AD (between))

Full description

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[TR 1751 6012] Milner Court [NAT] (1) Milner Court, formerly Sturry Court, represents what is left of the once-large C16th manor house until the Dissolution the property of St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury. Sturry was given to the abbey on its foundation in AD 605 by Ethelbert. It was the home of the last abbott,Essex, until his death in 1540. (2) Milner Court, King's School (Juniors) is a much-altered C16th brick building. It is in good condition (see GPs AO/63/128/5-6). There are no visible remains of an earlier structure on the site. At TR 1759 6019 is a large C16th tithe barn. It has a kingpost roof and brick walls with weatherboarding with two transeptal entrances on the SW side. It has been considerably restored and is in excellent condition.(see GP AO/63/128/4). To the NE at TR 1757 6024 is the Headmaster's House, a C16th brick building. Most features are modern and it is in excellent condition. (see GP AO/63/128/7). The grounds are enclosed byC16th brick walls. The walling adjoining the churchyard has four- centre-arched arcading along its outer side. At TR 1756 6006 is a C16th brick gateway with a stone arch: it is in fair condition. (see GP AO/63/127/8). (3) Grade II. Formerly Sturry Court. In the Middle Ages St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury, had a grange on the site but the present house was built by Thomas Smythe in 1583. Three storeys red brick. Tiled roof. The E front has 3 windows. Three hipped dormers, a gable with an atticwindow in it at the S end of the front, 2 chimney breasts, some casement windows and some sash windows with glazing bars intact. The south front is L-shaped. Two windows. The W window bay projects and has a blocked doorway on the ground floor flanked by pilasters with a stone above it inscribed "1583 T A S" (Thomas and Ann Smythe) and a double cornice above this with a circular recess between the two. The original first floor window above is blocked and a smaller window has been inserted within its outline. The W front has been repointed. It has 3 gables, a projection at the N end, irregular fenestration and a gabled modern projection in the centre of the ground and first floors.The N front has 2 chimney breasts. Viscount Milner occupied the house from 1921-25 and on his death in 1925 it was given by Lady Milner to King's School, Canterbury, and has been part of the Junior School of that school since 1928. Interior supposed to have C16 wallpainting in a cupboard. (4) Additional bibliography. (5)

Description from record TR 16 SE 205:
The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 5273 STURRY MILNER LANE
Milner Court TR 1760 32/596 29.9.52
II GV
2. Formerly Sturry Court. In the Middle Ages St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury, had a grange on the site but the present house was built by Thomas Smythe in 1583. Three storeys red brick. Tiled roof. The east front has 3 windows. Three hipped dormers, a gable with an attic window in it at the south end of the front, 2 chimney breasts, some casement windows and some sash windows with glazing bars intact. The south front is L-shaped. Two windows. The west window bay projects and has a blocked doorway on the ground floor flanked by pilasters with a stone above it inscribed "1583 T A S" (Thomas and Ann Smythe) and a double cornice above this with a circular recess between the two. The original first floor window above is blocked and a smaller window has been inserted within its outline. The west front has been repointed. It has 3 gables, a projection at the north end, irregular fenestration and a gabled modern projection in the centre of the ground and first floors. The north front has 2 chimney breasts. Vicsount Milner occupied the house from 1921-25 and on his death in 1925 it was given by Lady Milner to King's School, Canterbury, and has been part of the Junior School of that school since 1928. Interior supposed to have C16 wall painting in a cupboard.
Listing NGR: TR1759660193 (14)

<1> OS 25" (OS Card Reference). SKE48250.

<2> Country Life May 1922 668-676 plates (H A Tipping) (OS Card Reference). SKE39470.

<3> F1 ASP 12-DEC-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42067.

<4> DOE (HHR) City of Canterbury Kent Mar 1980 205 (OS Card Reference). SKE39975.

<5> The Bldgs of Eng NE and E Kent 1983 471-2 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE50131.

<6> Field report for monument TR 16 SE 21 - December, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5569.

<7> MILNER COURT - 16TH CENTURY HEADMASTER'S HOUSE AT STURRY FROM S.W. (Photograph). SKE2540.

<8> MILNER COURT - 16TH CENTURY HOUSE AT STURRY FROM S.E. (Photograph). SKE2541.

<9> MILNER COURT - 16TH CENTURY HOUSE AT STURRY FROM N.E. (Photograph). SKE2542.

<10> TITHE BARN AT MILNER COURT, STURRY, FROM S.W. (Photograph). SKE2543.

<11> MILNER COURT - 16TH CENTURY MANOR HOUSE AT STURRY FROM N.E. (Photograph). SKE2545.

<12> MILNER COURT - 16TH CENTURY MANOR HOUSE AT STURRY FROM S.E. (Photograph). SKE2546.

<13> 16TH CENTURY GATEWAY AT MILNER COURT FROM SOUTH. (Photograph). SKE2547.

<14> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading