HORSMONDEN GOUDHURST ROAD TQ 73 NW (south side) 4/29 Broadford 20.10.54 GV II* House. C15 altered and extended mid C16, mid C17 and early C18. Timber framed, part exposed to rear left, entrance and left return elevations roughcast with tile hung right return on red brick ground floor, and red brick rear extensions on sandstone base. Plain tiled roofs. Hall house, probably of Wealden type in origin, much extended in plan. Entrance front C17 in character with 2 storeys and attic on plinth with jetty on brackets, that to right end bay at lower level and on dragon beam to left, being the return elevation of the Hall House. Gabled roof with stacks to rear left and to end right and 3 projecting gables, that to right lower and smaller on moulded slightly projecting bresumer, those to centre and left larger and later with single jettied bresummer on brackets enriched with rosettes. Bullseye windows in each gable. Two storey canted bays to left and to right with leaded wooden casements on each floor, the transoms arched up in the middle. Two identical casements on first floor to centre, with 2 C18 Gothick ogee arched and cusped casements on ground floor to centre. Gabled central porch with ousped bargeboards and arched niche over ogee arched moulded panelled door. Left return with full height canted bay with Gothick ogee arched windows and exposed close studded framing beyond. Right return of 3 distinguishable phases; gabled 2 storey range to left with modillion eaves cornice and 2 cross windows; 2 storey and attic range to centre, with modillion eaves cornice to roof stepped up from left and originally hipped with gablet to right, with stack cluster to left and 2 flat roofed dormers and with 2 cross windows. Red brick on sandstone C18 block to right of 2 storeys, attic and basement on plinth with plat band and with half-hipped roof, 2 gabled dormers and rear stack. Bullseye window to left and 3 glazing bar sashes on first floor and 3 glazing bar sashes on ground floor with basement opening to right. Door of 6 raised and fielded panels to centre left in pilastered surround with segmental pediment. Tile hung and red brick outshot to right, and projecting single storey stable/outhouse range, now garages. Interior:(recorded) mid C16 stone hall fireplace with caryatids, profile roundels and Austen family crest. Work of same date in upper floor fireplace with carved tablet of male and female figures and profile roundels. Carved overmantel in Drawing room of c. 1760, stone and brick inglenook fireplace in Dining room, C17 wooden geometrically enriched overmantels elsewhere. Oak wainscoting and painted wooden panelling and main stair of c.1700, with turned balusters in 2 flights. The seat of the Austen family from at least the C16, Stowing wealthy through cloth manufacture, the house probably owing most to Francis Austen (d. 1687). Listing NGR: TQ7130639689