Listed Building record TR 06 SW 1411 - GATE HOUSE MARSH WORKS

Summary

Gate house at the Marsh Gunpowder Works, constructed by 1920 and shown on a plan of the works by Nobels Explosives Co. Ltd in 1920. A survey as part of the RCHME Faversham's Explosives Industry Project in 1991, found the building to be extant. It was constructed of brick with a slate roof, had two storeys and was in residential use. The cast iron carriage of a proof mortar was present in the garden.

Location

Grid reference TR 0135 6238 (point)
Map sheet TR06SW
County KENT
District SWALE, KENT
Civil Parish FAVERSHAM, SWALE, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
FAVERSHAM
TR 06 SW HAM ROAD
659/6/10013 Gate House, Marsh Works
14-DEC-01
GV II
Gate house at entrance to gunpowder works, now house. 1800-10, with later extension. Flemish bond brick with slate roof and brick stacks. Double-depth plan, with extension to left (SW) of front.
EXTERIOR: 2 storeys. Gauged brick flat arches over late C19 2/2-pane sashes flanking panelled door in canted bay to right, with timber lintel over similar sash to first floor. Two similar windows to range on left and to left return, which has C19 timber porch with swept roof to panelled door.
INTERIOR: not inspected. HISTORY: The Marsh Works were part of the Royal Gunpowder Factory which was established outside Faversham in 1786 after an explosion in the town, to remove some of the more dangerous processes. It played an important part in the improvement of British gunpowder leading up to and during the Napoleonic Wars, under William Congreve. A saltpetre refinery was built in 1789 as part of Congreve's successful drive to improve the ingredients of British powder. It was privatised after the war, and closed in the 1920s. The gatehouse was added as part of the refurbishment of the site in the early C19, at the entrance to the works and close to the Proof House (qv) for testing powder. The bed of a testing mortar is located in the garden. (1)

In 2019 an historic building recording of the former Marsh Gunpowder Works buildings now situated within the former Oare Mineral Works, Faversham, Kent was completed in advance of works to the designated and non- designated heritage assets. (2)

Historic England archive material: 662290 Faversham Explosives Industry, Kent In 1991, RCHME Keele carried out a basic investigation of the remains of the gunpowder and explosives industry in Faversham as a background to the Oare Gunpowder Works survey and to enhance the NMR record.Contents : 4 plans, ground photography, 68 prints, supporting materialCondition : SATISFACTORY
943688 Marsh Gunpowder Works/ink survey Antiquity Model: Surveyed


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

<2> Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd, 2019, Historic Building Recording of the Marsh Gunpowder Works within the Former Oare Mineral Works, Faversham, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE54278.

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <1> Map: English Heritage. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd. 2019. Historic Building Recording of the Marsh Gunpowder Works within the Former Oare Mineral Works, Faversham, Kent.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (2)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: Historic Building Recording of the Marsh Gunpowder Works within the Former Oare Mineral Works, Faversham, Kent (Ref: OGHB19) (EKE20973)
  • Intrusive Event: OARE GUNPOWDER WORKS (Ref: EI 36066) (EKE4436)

Record last edited

Oct 9 2025 12:42PM