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

The Corning House was built 1844-6. An earlier house was demolished in order to accommodate this new building. The existing leat was altered to serve the Corning house (see SKE 15681). The Corning House was originally powered by a water-wheel until 1899. At some subsequent date the wheel was filled in and a concreted floor and engine base were laid. In 1926 the Corning House was refurbished when it was powered by electricity until it closed in 1934.

Monument Types

• LEAT (Post Medieval to Modern - 1793 AD? to 1934 AD)
• BLAST WALL (Post Medieval to Modern - 1844 AD to 1934 AD)
• CORNING HOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1844 AD to 1934 AD)
• WHEEL PIT (Post Medieval to Modern - 1899 AD? to 1926 AD)

Full description

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

The Corning House was built 1844-6. An earlier house was demolished in order to accommodate this new building. The existing leat was altered to serve the Corning house (see SKE 15681). The Corning House was originally powered by a water-wheel mentioned in an inventory of 1899.. At some subsequent date the wheel was filled in and a concreted floor and engine base were laid. In 1926 the Corning House was refurbished when it was powered by electricity until it closed in 1934.

The blast wall made mostly of yellow stock bricks covering an area 18.2m by 11.7m. On the west side it survives to its full height of 6.7m. It was the same height on the south side, but on th east side it was reduced to 6m in places.

The leat is 3m wide and brick-lined, partly, forming into a dock.(1)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2004, Archaeological Recording at Oare Gunpowder Works The Corning House (Unpublished document). SKE15682.

Sources and further reading

Related records