Building record TQ 95 NW 127 - The Coach House at Lynsted Park

The Coach House is a multi-phase brick structure within Lynsted Park’s walled gardens, likely originating in the late 1590s. Initially a small square building—possibly a dovecote—it evolved through five construction phases, including extensions, heightening, and internal modifications. Despite its name, no evidence supports its use for stabling horses or storing coaches. Instead, it may have served as staff accommodation or ancillary estate use. Architectural features include handmade Kentish bricks, plinths, blocked openings, and later 19th–20th century adaptations. Its alignment and materials suggest integration with the estate’s Elizabethan origins, though its exact function remains uncertain. (1)

An architectural assessment of the building was carried out in 2004. This indicated that Phase I of construction comprised the construction of a small square brick-built structure in the late 1590's, during the original establishment of Lynsted Park. This building may have functioned as a dovecote or garden feature.
Phase II comprised the building of an extension to the south of the site. This probably took place at some point during the early 17th century, perhaps during improvements to the main house and outer buildings. A 1629 AD date stone discovered in the grounds of the main house may provide an indication of the time frame of these improvements.
Phase III of alterations to the property took place at some point between the early 17th and early 19th centuries. This consisted of the removal of the southern wall of the extension and the construction of a single room onto its southern end, creating an L-shaped building. Alterations were carried out to doorways and steps were added between the two rooms.
The Phase II and Phase III alterations may indicate a change in function (2), possibly as a place of accomodation for staff employed at the manor.
Phase IV works comprised the creation of first floor rooms in above the Phase I and II areas of the building, and the continuation of the Phase II western wall through the southern extension dividing it into two rectangular rooms. Alterations were also carried out to doorways and windows during this phase.
The final phase of works during the late 19th and early 20th centuries entailed the construction of stairways between the Phase I and II rooms and the Phase IV first floor rooms, the blocking of many earlier window and door openings and the creation of several timber framed vents, the addition of concrete floors throughout the structure, and the construction of several lean-to structures at the northern and western walls. (summarised from the original report, 2)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2004, Archaeological Excavation at Bredgar Primary School, Stratigraphic Report (Unpublished document). SKE57617.

<2> Archaeology South-East, 2004, An Architectural Assessment of 'The Coach House', Lynsted Park, Lynsted, Teynham, Kent. (Unpublished document). SKE55224.