Listing Text:

TQ 66 NE COBHAM THE STREET
5/30 (north side)

27.8.52 Owletts

II*

Built in 1683/4 by Bonham Hayes. Red brick, moulded brick string course. Panelled parapet added C18. Steeply pitched hipped tiled roof. Narrow end bays project to form closets. Slight central projection. Seven sash windows and 3 dormers. Modern porch with re-set panelled door. Engaged Doric columns, pediment and semi-circular fanlight. Two steps with wrought iron handrails. Two massive panelled chimney stacks dated 1683. Lead downpipes with heads inscribed G.G.1754. Three sash windows and 2 dormers to east and west facades. Large modern single-storey bay to east. Central projection to north facade marking staircase with 2 tall "croise" windows with leaded lights and 3 ox eye windows above. Two projections added by Sir Herbert Baker in 1925 and C19 wing added at north-west corner. Internally fine staircase and plaster ceiling, bolection mouldings to fireplaces and panelling dated from 1684. In 1894 the
house passed to the Edmeades family of Nurstead then by marriage to the Baker family until in 1938 Sir Herbert Baker who lived there gave it to the National Trust.

Listing NGR: TQ6651068734

Walling Materials:
Red brick, some stone detailing.
Roofing Materials:
Hand made red clay tiles
Flooring Materials:
Stone and brick basement and ground, timber floors first and second

Description:
A well built square double pile house built by Bonham Hayes, wealthy Kent yeoman farmer. Has a symmetrical seven bay front with central porch (added later) and two original projecting closet turrets at the outer sides of the front elevation. A low brick parapet running around the building and concealing the hipped roof and dormers was added in the mid 18th century. Inside the building has four principal rooms, one in each corner with centrally placed original stair case with very fine moulded plaster ceiling and two centrally placed brick stacks. The principal rooms contain several original features as well as high quality later alterations carried out with sensitivity to the original character. The building was extended to the north west, also in red brick, in the mid 19th century to provide additional accommodation for children and servants. In the early 20th century it was inherited by the renowned architect Sir Herbert Baker who made a number of alterations to the building including extending it to the north and north east. He also approached Gertrude Jekyll to assist in laying out the garden to the east. The building, and some associated cottages passed to the National Trust in the late 1930s.

Architectural/Historic Significance:
The house is a fine example of a Kentish yeomans house built in a fashionable style for that period and typical of the late 17th century countryside. It is also associated with the renowned architect Sir Herbert Baker who was born here and made a number of alterations to the house in a sympathetic manner and bequeathed it to the National Trust on his death.

Landscape Significance:
The house sits within a garden context that has not changed substantially since at least the 18th century. Gertrude Jekyll was asked to assist in the early 20th century with laying out parts of the garden.
The main building is listed Grade II*, the Well house is listed Grade I.

For further context to this site, see also the Desk Based Assessment of Jeskyn's Farm to the north west. Nicola Bannister notes that these two settlements have long historical associations. (2)

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

<2> CgMs, 2009, Owletts House Interpretive Historic Building Assessment and Statement of Significance. (Unpublished document). SKE58357.

<3> Nicola Bannister, 2005, Jeskyns Farm, Cobham, Kent: Archive Assessment Overview (Unpublished document). SKE13500.