TQ 53 37 SPELDHURST GROOMBRIDGE HILL (west side), OLD GROOMBRIDGE 16/515 The Dower House (formerly listed 20.10.54 as The Old Dower House) GV II* House. Circa 1680-90, minor later modernisations. Flemish bond red brick on coursed sandstone footings; brick stacks and chimneyshafts (mostly original); peg-tile roof. Plan: House faces east north east, say east. Main block contains entrance hall with projecting rear lateral stack recessed between crosswings projecting forward each end. Parlour crosswing to left (south) and service crosswing to right (north) although the kitchen was in the cellar below the parlour. Both wings have projecting outer lateral stacks. Both wings were probably originally single rooms but are now 2 rooms each. Original stair rises alongside the entrance hall between it and the parlour. In many ways its layout and appearance is a miniature version of Groombridge Place (q.v.). 2 storeys with cellars and attic rooms in the roofspace. There is a small 2- storey C20 service extension rear right. Exterior: Not quite symmetrical 1:2:1-window front, all flat-faced mullioned windows, most under low segmental brick arches. There was before 1944 a shop in the front end of the right wing. It suffered bomb damage that year and was replaced by the present 2 windows. Some of the other windows were replaced then but many of the frames are original. All contain rectangular panes of leaded glass with iron-framed casements. Most were replaced after 1944 but the gabled dormers, one to each front wing, do contain original glass and the iron casements have good wrought iron catches. Recessed front of the entrance hall has a front doorway flanked by 4-light windows. Continuous oak lintel over all 3 and on the outside a row of 3 segmental arches springing from sandstone blocks shaped to take the brick arches. Doorway has original ogee- moulded oak frame with mullioned overlight and contains a 6-panel door. Brick flat band at first floor level. Plain eaves. Main roof and crossroofs are hipped. Similar windows to rear, mostly original frames and some original glass. Very pretty early C19 French window at the back of the parlour wing. It has a panelled base and margin panes around a diamond pane pattern. In front a good ornamental trelliswork porch with segmental roof. Interior: Some minor C19 and C20 modernisation but this is largely superficial. The original house is essentially very well-preserved. Entrance hall has a large fireplace with chamfered oak lintel. Other fireplaces are blocked. Parlour fireplace has a good C19 chimneypiece with a Sussex iron grate and the chamber above has a possibly original bolection-moulded chimneypiece. Most of the beams are clad with plaster. Those that are exposed are chamfered and that in the parlour chamber has a kind of double scroll stops. The wall framing where exposed is of relatively slight scantling with straight braces. Roof of tie-beam trusses with A-frames and butt purlins. Good staircase. Straight flight between wall partitions up to first floor where there is a short balustrade on the landing with square newel posts and ball finial. Dogleg up to attics has vase-shaped splat balusters. Several 2-panel doors around the house. Cellar contains large kitchen fireplace, wine rack alcoves, dairy slabs and the like. This very attractive house is one of a group of unusually well-preserved houses related to Groombridge Place (q.v.) which make up the village of Old Groombridge. Listing NGR: TQ5301937634