Listed Building record TQ 55 SW 104 - ST MARY'S GATEHOUSE INCLUDING ATTACHED STEPS, SEAT, LAMP, DRINKING FOUNTAIN AND LETTERBOX

Summary

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1837 to 1915.

Location

Grid reference TQ 5229 5458 (point)
Map sheet TQ55SW
Civil Parish SEVENOAKS, SEVENOAKS, KENT
District SEVENOAKS, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
SEVENOAKS OAKHILL ROAD TO 55 SW 4/158 No 64 St Mary's Gatehouse including attached Steps, Seat, Lamp, Drinking Fountain and Letterbox - II
House with attached steps, seat, street lamp, drinking fountain and letterbox. 1915. Built by Charles W Bowles FRIBA for Henry Percy Thompson as a memorial to his parents. House is in Tudor style, timber-framed with plaster infilling on sandstone base. Peg-tiled roof with 2 paired diagonally-set brick chimney stacks to ridge and large external brick and stone chimneystack with paired diagonal shafts to sides. 2 storeys: 3 windows. Each end has projecting gable with cusped barge-boards and pendants, close-studding with crenellated tie beams and quatre- foil ornaments. Central bay has 4-light mullioned casements with leaded lights, other windows are 2-light. Ground floor front has filled in Tudor arch flanked by cinquefoil-headed sidelights, probably original the main entrance, which is now in a porch on the right hand side elevation. To the left is an open passageway lead- ing to St Mary's Church (also endowed by Henry Percy Thompson). This has a moulded bressummer, 4 centred arch flanked by cinquefoil headed lights and rows of cinque- foil headed lights to side. Plastered ceiling with fleur-de-lys and shield motifs and lead plaque with inscription to the donor's parents. The rear elevation is close-studded and has a projecting gable with attached glazed stair- case. Interior has a staircase with splat balusters, wooden fireplace with Delft tiles. Attached to the house is a section of curved walling of stone, brick and tiles with a series of stone steps, which divides in the middle to enclose a triangular wooden seat with an Art Nouveau lamp standard comprising square wooden pier with square glass and iron lantern surmounted by finial. Attached to the left-hand side is a stone wall incorporating a metal drinking fountain and a Victorian wall letter box. Behind the house the flight of curved stone steps continues, terminating in 2 brick piers with stone cornices. The rent from letting the house was designed to serve as part of the benefice stipend.
Listing NGR: TQ5229254583
(1)

A VR wall box is mounted in a wall at the front of the property. It is a Type C - low aperture (cipher 2 1/8" from the top). It dates from 1886-1901. (2)


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

<2> The Letter Box Study Group, 2004, Letter Box Listing (Unpublished document). SKE17125.

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <1> Map: English Heritage. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
  • <2> Unpublished document: The Letter Box Study Group. 2004. Letter Box Listing.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Dec 21 2011 12:03PM