Listed Building record TR 04 SW 302 - WHIST HOUSE

Description from record TR 04 SW 28 :
5344 Tannery Lane (Formerly Tanyard Lane) TR 04 SW 3/50 24.9.51. Whist House II* (TR 01354247-sited from HHR map) 2. Dated 1707 in paint above top central window. 2 storey and attics red brick with grey headers. Steeply pitched hipped old tiled roof with 2 hipped dormers. Heavy wooden modillion eaves cornice. Long and short quoins. Stringcourse. 5 sashes with wide glazing bars intact. Regency wooden blinds to ground floor windows. Doorcase with engaged Doric columns, flat pediment, panelled reveals and door of 8 fielded panels. On the left hand side there is a 2 storey tile hung extension with half-hipped roof. The rear elevation has 2 hipped dormers and 2 sashes. Projecting 1st floor with canted bay supported on 2 cast iron columns.(1-2)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 5344 TANNERY LANE (Formerly Tanyard Lane) Whist House TR 04 SW 3/50 24.9.51.
II*
2. Dated 1707 in paint above top central window. 2 storeys and attics red brick with grey headers. Steeply pitched hipped old tiled roof with 2 hipped dormers. Heavy wooden modillion eaves cornice. Long and short quoins. Stringcourse. 5 sashes with wide glazing bars intact. Regency wooden blinds to ground floor windows. Doorcase with engaged Doric columns, flat pediment, panelled reveals and door of 8 fielded panels. On the left hand side there is a 2 storey tile hung extension with half-hipped roof. The rear elevation has 2 hipped dormers and 2 sashes. Projecting 1st floor with canted bay supported on 2 cast iron columns. Listing NGR: TR0134542465 (3)

An assessment of the building carried out in 2012-2013 highlighted a number of features of heritage significance within the building. These included the timber framing, roof structure, 18th century panelling (including window reveals and shutters), moulded cornices, the main staircase and secondary staircases, alongside the lath and plaster ceilings. (4)

A setting assessment carried out in 2012 stated that the house may have been constructed prior to the 1707 date given in the Listed Building description. The earliest structure at the site is likely to be the north-east section of the house which is tentatively dated (5) to some time between the 16th-17th centuries, whilst the western section of the house is probably early 18th century in date, and the south-eastern section is late 19th century in date.
During the late 19th century, the house was probably used in relation with the nearby post-medieval tannery (TR 04 SW 98). Covered walkways between the south-east section of the house and the building constructed over the tanning pits existed during this time, leading to the interpretation that the ground floor room in this area of the house was used to monitor tannery staff and/or for the paying of wages. (summarised from the original source, 5)

<1> DOE(HHR) Dist of Ashford Kent June 1976 70 (OS Card Reference). SKE40887.

<2> Bldgs of Eng W Kent and the Weald 1980 136 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37968.

<3> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<4> Woodhall Planning & Conservation, 2013, WHIST HOUSE, TANNERY LANE, ASHFORD HERITAGE STATEMENT (Unpublished document). SKE59012.

<5> Archaeology South-East, 2011, An Archaeological Watching Brief at Florence Farm Pumping Station Groombridge, East Sussex (Unpublished document). SKE58265.

<6> PRC Architecture & Planning Ltd, 2012, KWG BUILDING, TANNERY LANE, ASHFORD Heritage Additional Information September 2012 (Unpublished document). SKE59025.