Listed Building: BAYHAM ABBEY AND GARDEN TERRACES (1121925)

Grade II
Authority English Heritage
Volume/Map/Item 1355, 2, 128
Date assigned 20 October 1954
Date last amended 03 May 2018

Description

LAMBERHURSRT BAYHAM ABBEY TQ 63 NW 2/128 Bayham Abbey and garden terraces 20.10.54 GV II House and terrace, now apartments. 1870-72 for the Marquess Camden by David Brandon, architect, and converted 1985. Coursed hammer-dressed ragstone with green slate roofs. Jacobean style. Entrance (north) front: 3 storey main block with plinth, string course and modillion eaves cornice to balustraded roof with three irregularly sized and slightly projecting shaped gables to left and (paired) to centre, and stacks ranged from left to right and to right front. Ten variously sized stone mullioned and transomed windows on each floor, with 15 light stair window to centre right on first floor and central porte-cochère, with coupled columns, keyed and banded arches and pierced parapet. Lower 3 storey service wing to left also with shaped gable and with bell tower, and projecting 2 storey and single storey service buildings, enclosing a courtyard at end left. Garden elevation symmetrical and on smaller frontage, with similar detailing as to entrance front and with 2 shaped gabled wings projecting at left and right, with 2 storey bays, that to right canted, and central 2 storey bow window. Five bays in all. Two storey wing to right, with shaped gabled projecting centrepiece, and 2 bay arcaded porch linking to main block. Single storey pilastered garden room attached to left and, with octagonal stair vice, filling in re-entrant to return elevation of entrance front, with shaped gable and 2 storey canted bay. The house stands on a terraced platform projecting from the western elevation of the house and connected to it by a stone wall with wrought iron gate. The terrace is rectangular in plan with a bowed section to the south of the house, and has a pierced parapetted wall around it with occasional low piers, with an opening into the gardens to the west. The lowest levels are reached on the west side by a single flight of steps, and to the south by 3 flights of steps, all with low sidewalls and piers bearing urns. Overlooks a fine, probably largely earlier, landscaped park with the ruins of Bayham Abbey, and Brandon's church and various other features (Humphrey Repton was consulted c.1800). Interior: despite conversion to a number of units, the principal interiors survive, including Doric screened entrance hall leading to grand staircase (not seen); ballroom, with modillion cornice to panelled ceiling, and enriched marble fireplace and bow window shutters operated by patent mechanical system set within the window piers; dining room richly panelled in carved Italian walnut, and with swagged segmentally headed fireplace (the chimney pieces supplied by Earp, Kennington Road, London), and panelled ceiling. Listing NGR: TQ6629036831

External Links (0)

Sources (1)

  • Map: English Heritage. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Map

Location

Grid reference TQ 6445 3681 (point)
Map sheet TQ63NW
Civil Parish LAMBERHURST, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Record last edited

Sep 17 2018 1:37PM