Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1467 to 1999. 15th century timber-framed wealden house, formerly an open two bay hall. The hall is recessed at the rear as well as the front. In modern times a large wing reusing 16th century materials was built beyond the lower end of the medieval house. L-shaped plan and moated. The moat is water-filled but the south arm is missing.

Monument Types

• MANOR HOUSE (Medieval to Modern - 1467 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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(TQ 80603310) Manor House (NAT) Moat (NAT) (1) 23/19 The Old Manor House, Benenden. Grade II. On the map called the Manor House. This is now an L-shaped building. The original portion is the east wing which is a C.15 timber-framed building now faced with tiles on a red brick base. The first floor of the end west bays oversails on the protruding ends of the fl. joists and brackets. Sprocket eaves, the centre portion between the oversailing west bays projecting on curved braces at the sides and a bracket in the centre. Steeply-pitched hipped tiled roof. Case windows with diamond-shaped or small square leaded panes. Doorway with flat hood on brackets. 2s. 4 w. The L-wing at the southwest corner is a modern timbered addition made of old materials in matching style. 4 windows and 2 dormers. (2)

Nearly three-quarters of the moat at the Manor House, Benenden, still exists. (3) The Old Manor House is as described and is well preserved. (See GP AO/63/126/1) The moat is waterfilled and except that the S arm is missing in good condition. Published 25" survey correct. (4) TQ 806332. Manor House, Benenden, listed in the County checklist of moated sites in Kent - December 1979. (5) Manor House, Benenden, large Wealden house, timbers covered over with tiles, with a big 20th century wing at right angles. (6)

A Conservation Area appraisal in 2005 suggested the house dates from c. 1390 with a 16th century extension on the west side forming an 'L' wing. (9)

A Conservation Area appraisal in 2005 suggested the house dates from c. 1390 with a 16th century extension on the west side forming an 'L' wing. (9)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
BENENDEN TQ83SW CRANBROOK ROAD 1350-0/3/27 The Old Manor House 09/06/52 GV II House. East wing is late C15 timber-framed. Wealden hall-house refronted in C19 and restored in C20, L-wing to west is C20. Original building faced with tiles on a red brick plinth. 1st floor of end window bays oversails on protruding ends of floor joists and brackets. Sprocket eaves, the centre portion between the oversailing window bays project on curved braces at the sides and on bracket to the centre. Steeply pitched tiled roof with gablets and off central late C16 cruciform stack. 2 storeys 4 windows. Mullioned windows with diamond- shaped or small square leaded panes. Doorcase with flat hood on brackets. External stone chimneystack to rear. L wing to west is C20. Timber-framed with plastered infill. Tiled roof with brick chimneystack. 2 storeys and attics: 5 windows. 2 hipped dormers. Casements with leaded lights. Left gable tile hung. East wing has end of hall beam, 2 original service entrances and octagonal moulded crown post. (Photographs in N.B.R.).
Listing NGR: TQ8058833097 (10)

Archive material (11)

<1> OS 6" 1961 (OS Card Reference). SKE48369.

<2> MHLG Cranbrook RD Nov 1960 4 23/19 (OS Card Reference). SKE47109.

<3> VCH Kent vol 1 1908 425 (I C Gould) (OS Card Reference). SKE51199.

<4> F1 ASP 06.02.63 (OS Card Reference). SKE41950.

<5> Moated Sites Res Gp No 6 1979 46 (OS Card Reference). SKE47261.

<6> Bldgs of Eng W Kent & the Weald 2nd Ed 1980 154 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37937.

<7> Field report for monument TQ 83 SW 2 - February, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4335.

<8> THE OLD MANOR HOUSE AT BENENDEN FROM S.W. (Photograph). SKE2561.

<9> Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, 2005, Conservation Areas appraisal, Benenden and Iden Green (Unpublished document). SKE16137.

<10> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<11> Historic England, Archive material associated with The Old Manor House, Benenden, Listed building (Archive). SKE54177.

Sources and further reading

Related records