The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 5274 SWANSCOMBE AND GREENHITHE THE AVENUE (east side) Greenhithe
Ingress Abbey TQ 57 NE 1/86 2.10.70
II GV
2. This is probably the fifth house on the site, the manor having formerly belonged to Dartford Priory and some notable families. Built in 1833 for Alderman James Harmer in Tudor Gothic style. Architect Charles Moreing. Supposed to have been constructed of stone from Old London Bridge. Ashlar with a slate roof. Two storeys and attics in gables. Clustered chimney stacks. The plan of the house is 3 sides of a square with 5 windows to each front. The principal front faces the river. It is flanked by projecting octagonal buttresses carried up high above the elevation and topped by ogee caps. In the centre is a 3 storey projecting square tower flanked by similar buttresses with a 3-light oriel window on the first floor. At each end of the front is a gable, the east one projecting, with finials and similar buttresses and a 2 storey bay window of 4-lights with enrichment between the floors and a castellated parapet over. Similar parapet between the gables and the tower. Casement windows. The west front has 3 gables, of which the centre one has an extra-tall finial carried up to end in a heraldic beast. The whole front and the central window bay, which projects, are flanked by similar buttresses to these of the north front. The central window bay projects with buttresses and a 2 storey bay window of 6-lights similar to those of the north front. Central doorcase has portcullis and rose in the spandrels. The west elevation has wooden window shutters to top windows. Victorian conservatory at rear. Eliza Cook the poetess lived here with James Harmer and wrote her most famous poems "The Old Armchair" and "O, the green banks may fade" here. Interior contains dining room with plastered ceiling walls and marble fireplace and north entrance wall of 1835 with fretted woodwork and fireplace with Atlantes.
Listing NGR: TQ5879975165


In July 1917 Ingress Abbey in Greenhithe was lent by the firm Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd for use as an annexe to the Rosherville Hospital. It was equipped and financially aided by Mr H. Osborne O'Hagan, one of the Directors of the company, and provided a further 75 beds.

Ingress Abbey V.A.D. Hospital was later affiliated with Chatham Military Hospital, Fort Pitt. The medical and nursing staff consisted of a Medical Officer, a Matron, 6 trained nurses and members of the Kent/17 and /118 Voluntary Aid Detachments (V.A.D.s), who also undertook general and domestic duties.

The Hospital closed on 31st December 1918.

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