RAMSGATE CHATHAM STREET TR 3765 SE (west side) 8/93 Townley House 13.9.74 Mansion GV II* House, now furniture showrooms 1792 by Mrs. Mary Townley. Rendered with slate roof. Three storeys projecting central block and 2 storey wings, on plinth, with rusticated ground floor, string course and cornice to roof, with balustraded panelled parapet to wings. Stacks to left and to right of centre block. Five bays to centre, 2 to each wing. Glazing bar sashes throughout, of extra large size on ground floor of wings. Large projecting 2 storey bow to centre, on 5 arches on Tuscan columns, with balcony over whole bow, cornice and balustraded parapet. Central French window on 1st floor, with Y-tracery fanlight, and deep niches left and right with classical statues. Central glazed door with rectangular fanlight. Interior: simple balustraded elliptical stair with open string. Arched entrance passageway. Simple moulded cornices and skirting to main rooms, with fine metal fittings to door. The house was designed and lived in by Mary Townley, a pupil of Sir Joshua Reynolds, the Townleys were the leaders of late C18/early C19 Ramsgate Society, the house receiving many distinguished and royal visitors. (See Bussan, Ramsgate, 68; see also Ramsgate Town Trail Guide). Listing NGR: TR3799165337