Listed Building record TQ 56 NW 219 - FOLLY IN GROUNDS OF MILL HOUSE SITUATED TO WEST OF THE WATER MILL

Summary

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1770 to 1810

Location

Grid reference TQ 5448 6701 (point)
Map sheet TQ56NW
Civil Parish FARNINGHAM, SEVENOAKS, KENT
District SEVENOAKS, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
FARNINGHAM HIGH STREET 1. 5280 (south-west side) Folly in grounds of Mill House situated to TQ 5467 9/126 west of The Water Mill II GV 2. Probably dates from 1790. This is situated on a hill overlooking the Water Mill. To the left there is a network of low flint walls capped with red brick. To the right of this, approached up a steep bank are 3 octagonal turrets, the one on the extreme left built of flint and brick in a chequer work design with a stone crocket over surmounted by a ball finial. The central turret is truncated and is built of flint and brick. The right side turret, also of flint and brick has a crenellated parapet and arrow-slit windows. Double-headed lancet windows to right of this. On the extreme right is a summer house built of flint with stone dressings. The rear wall has a diaper pattern of stock brick and flint, having flint galleting. The front inside wall is lined with cockle shells. The window is a 'Gothic' painted arch with stone lights. A painted arch with stone quoins leads back to the hillside. Underneath the turrets and summer house are 2 chambers excavated out of the hillside. Both have round-headed brick entrances set in a flint wall. The chambers are brick lined. Air shafts lead up, presumably to the turrets. The left hand chamber has a very small lead cistern dated 1790 forming part of a pump. The other chamber has an ogee-headed arch at the end facing the entrance. Both were probably used for storing grain for the adjacent mill and the Folly thus had a practical as well as ornamental purpose.
Listing NGR: TQ5448867025
(1)

The folly was in an overgrown condition in 2010. (2)

In 2012 a building survey was carried out. The underground chambers were described as an icehouse. (3)


<1> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<2> Purcell Miller Tritton LLP, 2010, Farningham Mill Estate: Heritage Statement (Unpublished document). SKE25152.

<3> Lathams, 2012, Farningham Mill Estate: Level 1.5 Building Survey Report (Unpublished document). SKE25151.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Map: English Heritage. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Purcell Miller Tritton LLP. 2010. Farningham Mill Estate: Heritage Statement.
  • <3> Unpublished document: Lathams. 2012. Farningham Mill Estate: Level 1.5 Building Survey Report.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: Building survey of the Farningham Mill estate (EKE13164)

Record last edited

Sep 9 2013 1:37PM