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

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1400 to 1899. A late 14th to 15th century hall building which was altered in the 19th century.

Monument Types

• HOUSE (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1400 AD to 1899 AD)

Full description

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

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. HIGH STREET 1732 (West Side)
No. 186 TQ 5946 NW 3/117
II GV
2. A late medieval possible open hall altered in C19. No. 186 consists of 4 different sections. The front elevation has a Mid C19 false front of 2 storeys and attics roughcast. Gable front with fleur de lys finial and kneelers. 1 double sash set in cambered head lining. C19 shopfront. Behind this is a portion of 2 storeys timber framed probably late C15 to early C16. The left side elevation is now faced with C19 brickwork and the right side elevation is tile-hung. Steeply pitched tiled roof. There is a later probably C17 massive brick chimney stack and later firegraters. Curved braces and an original wooden mullioned window. The roof is not visible as a ceiling has been inserted. To the rear of this section is a portion of 1 storey, late C15 to early C16 timber-framing but enclosed in brick in the C19. This has a steeply pitched tiled roof with 2 crown posts. These have curved braces on one side only. Probably in the C17 a massive red brick chimney stack was inserted but this falls short of the roof line. To the rear of this is a C19 stable of red brick with tiled roof. Nos. 184, 184A, 184B, 186 and 188 form a group. Listing NGR: TQ5907346828 (10

Description from record TQ 54 NE 9:
(TQ 59084683) 186 High Street (NAT) (2) TQ 590469 No 186 High Street, Tonbridge. A late 14th-15th century Hall building of four bays end on to the High Street. Now semi-derelict though the ground floor houses the Scout charity shop. The building is much encased in later work. (3) 1732 HIGH STREET (West Side) No. 186 TQ 5946 NW 3/117 II GV 2. A late medieval possible open hall altered in C19. No. 186 consists of 4 different sections. The front elevation has a Mid C19 false front of 2 storeys and attics roughcast. Gable front with fleur de lys finial and kneelers. 1 double sash set in cambered head lining. C19 shopfront. Behind this is a portion of 2 storeys timber framed probably late C15 to early C16. The left side elevation is now faced with C19 brickwork and the right side elevation is tile-hung. Steeply pitched tiled roof. There is a later probably C17 massive brick chimney stack and later firegraters. Curved braces and an original wooden mullioned window. The roof is not visible as a ceiling has been inserted. To the rear of this section is a portion of 1 storey, late C15 to early C16 timber-framing but enclosed in brick in the C19. This has a steeply pitched tiled roof with 2 crown posts. These have curved braces on one side only. Probably in the C17 a massive red brick chimney stack was inserted but this falls short of the roof line. To the rear of this is a C19 stable of red brick with tiled roof. Nos. 184, 184A, 184B, 186 and 188 form a group. (4) Not mentioned in the Buildings of England. (5)

List entry Description
Summary of Monument
Medieval open hall house, 127m north-west of St Peter and St Paul’s Church.



Reasons for Designation
A medieval open hall house is a house consisting of a single storey hall with two storey domestic ranges attached to either one or both ends. Typically, the medieval house had three components: a hall (or principal living room) at the centre; a service end divided from the hall by a screened-off cross-passage or simply opposed doorways and, at the other end, the more private room or rooms, including the parlour. The hall was single storeyed and open to the roof, but both ends could be storeyed. It was at the centre of hospitality and had symbolic significance; the height and size conferring esteem on the owner. The principal feature of the hall was a hearth, usually placed somewhere in the middle. Since there was no chimney stack it was open to the roof to allow the smoke to escape. Wealthier families could also enjoy more specialised rooms, such as a detached kitchen, a second parlour or a chapel. In the 16th and 17th centuries a desire for privacy and convenience led to the downgrading of the hall as the centre of the house. The adoption of chimney stacks also gave more flexibility in plan form and led to changes in the traditional layout of houses.

Despite later alterations and additions, the medieval open hall house 127m north-west of St Peter and St Paul’s Church survives comparatively well. It includes a significant amount of late medieval timber framing, which provides valuable information on its construction and layout. The site will also contain archaeological information relating to its history and use.

History
See Details.

Details
This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 8 September 2014. The record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

The monument includes a late medieval open hall house surviving as upstanding and below-ground remains. It is situated on the west side of Tonbridge High Street.

The front elevation to the High Street has a mid 19th century false gabled front of two storeys and attics. Behind is a late 15th century or early 16th century timber-framed building of two storeys. It has a steeply pitched tiled roof and a tall 17th century brick chimney stack. The hall has curved timber braces and an original wooden mullioned window. The inside of the roof is no longer visible as a ceiling has been inserted. To the rear is a late 15th or early 16th century timber-framed single storey, which has been enclosed in brick since the 19th century. It has a steeply pitched tiled roof with two crown posts. These have curved braces on one side only.

It is Grade II listed. (5)

<1> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<2> OS 1:2500 1969 (OS Card Reference). SKE48211.

<3> DOE (IAM) AM Rec Form 26 7 77 (OS Card Reference). SKE40680.

<4> DOE (HHR) Dist of Tonbridge UD Kent 1972 18-19 (OS Card Reference). SKE40417.

<5> Bldgs of Eng W Kent & the Weald 1980 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37841.

<6> Historic England, National Heritage List for England (Index). SKE29372.

Sources and further reading