The following text is from the original listed building designation:
The following building shall be added to the list:
TQ 5244 PENSHURST PENSHURST ROAD
22/2000 Lilac Cottage
II
Cottage, ornée. Built in 1825 by William Wells, owner of the Red Leaf Estate as the residence of his Head Gardener, Joseph Wells. Built of sandstone random rubble with tiled roof with some pointed tiles, central panelled stone chimneystack and unpanelled stone chimneystack to rear. Roughly L-shaped. Gable ends have curious 1/2 hips with 5 elaborate pendants and fretted bargeboards. Under each gable is ground floor 4 light bay with wooden casements and fishscale tiled roof with fretwork to sides and pendants. Doorcase in angle of the L has original porch on 4 channelled wooden piers with unusual fretted decoration. Plank door. Extension has some timber framing exposed and plain casement. The materials all came from the estate. (See Gardener's Magazine July 1839 by J C London p.373 BOE West Kent and the Weald, J Newman p.461).
Listing NGR: TQ5240344859

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