Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1926 to 1926 Almshouses founded and endowed by Thomas Hellyer Foorde, designed by E. Guy Dawber and constructed in 1925. Comprise 1-storey building around 3 sides of courtyard which as a cupola. Other almshouses constructed in 1932.

Monument Types

• ALMSHOUSE (Modern - 1926 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TQ 76 NW 89 :
(TQ 73706711) Foord Almshouses (NAT) (1) PRIESTFIELDS II* Foord Almshouses 1927. Founded and endowed by Thomas Hellyer Foorde, last of the famous Rochester family who died in 1917. Architect, E. Guy Dawber. Sculpture etc. by E. Gillick, Bainbridge Reynolds, Phoebe Stabler. Paintings, Gerald Moira. Stained glass, Anning Bell. See article in Country Life. 1-storey almhouses on three sides of large quadrangle. Reproduction Tudor. Very good. (2) Additional bibliography. (3) ROCHESTER PRIESTFIELDS Foord Almshouses Nos.1-47 with gate and forecourt walls attched. Almshouses with gate and forecourt walls attched 1926. E. Guy Dawber architect. [Full architectural description] LISTED GRADE II*. ROCHESTER PRIESTFIELDS Nos.1-47, cupola in centre court. Foord almshouses Nos.48-64, 1-47. Central cupola tempietto in centre of courtyard and of Nos.1-47 Foord almshouses. [Full architectural reference] LISTED GRADE II* ROCHESTER PRIESTFIELDS Foord Almshouses Nos. 48-64. Almshouses 1932. [Full architectural reference] LISTED GRADE II* (4)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
ROCHESTER PRIESTFIELDS TW 76 NW 2/204 Foord Almshouses Nos 1-47 with gate and forecourt walls attached 24.10.50 GV II* Almhouses, with gate and forecourt walls attached. 1926. E Guy Dawber architect. Flemish bond red brick, stone dressings, Kent tile roofs. 'U' plan court laid out as Cour d'honneur with forecourt gate and walls. Largely single storey with 2 storey pavilions. Neo-vernacular style of C17 with Baroque references. Central axial Hall has 3 bay arcaded loggia with 4 bas relief roundels in the spandrels. 2 other gabled bays with mullion and transomed windows, coped parapet gables with finials, 2 light casements in gables. Gable of hall recessed above loggia with one arched window and 2 cross gables. Copper spire with cupola and dome. Wings at east and west have 4 light casements, segmental pedimented door, gabled dormers. Steep roofs with tall stacks. Conical roofs to pavilion at angles. Cross axis pavilions of 2 storeys with 2 bays with gables to centres, 2 dormers to roofs. Hipped returned gables advanced into court. 2 further single storey wings repeat details of those on north side. Returned into court at entrance are 2 2-storey with attics pavilions with central gabled bays with 5 light casements, cross windows to staircases, gabled oriels on gable to court. Single stack on central axis a Baroque style segmental pedimented gate with slate inscription 1927 with Ionic pilasters and large scroll console brackets, balustrade to east and west encloses south front of court. Forecourt created in front with axial wrought iron gate and overthrow with lamp. Stone coped brick dwarf wall with 2 stone coped and finialed piers at NE, SE, NW, SW angles. Further taller walls return to connection with south front angle pavilions.
Listing NGR: TQ7367067086 (5)

<1> OS 1:10000 1975 (OS Card Reference). SKE48160.

<2> DOE(HHR)Dist of City of Rochester Kent July 1969 31 (OS Card Reference). SKE41303.

<3> Bldgs of Eng West Kent and the Weald 1980 492-93 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE38084.

<4> DOE(HHR)City of Rochester upon Medway Kent, 2nd Dec 1991 119-120 (OS Card Reference). SKE41264.

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

Sources and further reading