Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A dispersed plan farmstead.

Monument Types

• FARMSTEAD (Post Medieval - 1800 AD to 1800 AD)

Full description

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Type: Dispersed cluster
Farmhouse: Farmhouse detached in central position
Position: Isolated position
Survivial: Only the farmhouse remains
(1-2)

Shade House is mentioned in the English Heritage Historic Area Assessment for High Halstow Parish as part of its wider Hoo Peninsula study. The report states that the scattering of cottages and farm buildings that stood on the marshes in this area acquired a dubious reputation. The one surviving building, Shade House, occupying a lonely situation north of Decoy Fleet, was said to have been used by smuggling gangs to hide contraband. The report also states that it is an enigmatic brick structure, the only surviving example of the cottages and outbuildings on the marshes that were used by sheep minders or 'lookers' up to the 19th century. The house was associated with smuggling but may also have been used by the Coastguard to counter the activity(3).

<1> Forum Heritage Services, 2012, Kent Farmsteads & Landscape Project (Unpublished document). SKE18075.

<2> English Heritage, 2009, Historic Farmsteads: A Manual for Mapping (Unpublished document). SKE18076.

<3> historic england, 2014, High Halstow, Hoo Peninsula, Kent: Historic Area Assessment. Research Report 53-2014 (Bibliographic reference). SKE31598.

Sources and further reading